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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-130
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
November 3, 2015
To recognize the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and to declare November 20, 2015, as “Transgender Day of Remembrance” in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, transgender individuals face high rates and severity of violence, including accounting for over 60% of murdered lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or HIV-positive individuals in 2014 according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia has a particularly alarming history of violence against transgender individuals, especially transgender women of color, including the murders of Deoni Jones, Lashai Mclean, Tyli’a Mack, Elexius Woodland, Bella Evangelista, Emonie Spaulding, Stephanie Thomas, Ukea Davis, and too many others;
WHEREAS, countless transgender individuals experienced violence and harassment this year in the District of Columbia and the metropolitan area and in nearby Gaithersburg, Maryland, Zella Ziona was murdered;
WHEREAS, the expensive housing market combined with discrimination results in too many transgender people being forced to live on the streets, putting them at higher risk for violence;
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia strives to be a city that is welcoming and safe for all residents and visitors, including transgender people;
WHEREAS, the Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on November 20th around the world to memorialize those killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice; and
WHEREAS, the D.C. transgender community and allies have commemorated Transgender Day of Remembrance for the last 15 years, growing from a small group of activists to an event that attracts hundreds of participants and attendance from government officials.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Transgender Day of Remembrance Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the contributions of the transgender community and its vulnerability to violence, and declares November 20, 2015 as “Transgender Day of Remembrance” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
