FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2020

DELRAY BEACH FL – Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to honor the memory of those who lost their lives to anti-transgender prejudice. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), at least 37 transgender people are known to have been murdered in the United States in 2020 – the most since HRC started tracking in 2013, and the majority of which are Black or Latinx transgender women. Three of those victims were Floridians.

Tony McDade
Killed in a police-involved shooting on May 27 in Tallahassee

Bree Black
Shot on July 3 in Pompano Beach

Yunieski Carey Herrera
Stabbed on November 17 in Miami

Stephen Gaskill, president of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement for Transgender Day of Remembrance and to honor the lives that we’ve lost:

“We honor our transgender sisters and brothers who we’ve lost and who had the courage to live life as their authentic selves. It’s on each of us to fight hate in all forms, raise awareness, and build acceptance. Today is a hard reminder that we have so much more work to do to create a society that loves and accepts transgender people. We stand united with Florida’s transgender community, who have been the target of deadly violence.”

Nathan Bruemmer, Legislative Director of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, reacted to record levels of violence:

“With reported murders reaching their highest levels in more than a decade, we’ve lost a record number of transgender people in 2020, including a fellow Floridian in Miami this week. It is an epidemic of violence, especially against transgender women of color. Our thoughts are with them today, and we honor them with our actions that ensure transgender people can live life without fear of violence.”

Chapters of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus are taking part in events across the state today:

Tampa Bay Transgender Film Festival (12 PM ET – Sunday, 11/22)

Human Rights Campaign Georgia Voter Outreach (4-6 PM ET)
A virtual event providing resources on the challenges that trans voters face and outreach to “Equality Voters” in advance of the U.S. Senate runoff elections.

Virtual Trans Day of Remembrance (4-5 PM ET)

Trans Day of Resilience in Duval County (5-6:30 PM ET)

Virtual TDOR Observance in Palm Beach County (5-6 PM ET)

TDOR Vigil in Pinellas County (7-9 PM ET)

TDOR Vigil in Alachua County (7-9 PM ET)

PFLAG Connects: Virtual Vigil (8 PM ET)

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