Philadelphia – Today, Helen Fitzpatrick, Director for the Office of LGBT Affairs issued the following statement in recognition of International Transgender Day of Remembrace:

“November 20^th marks International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day to raise awareness of the cruel violence transgender people face every day, mourn those individuals whos lives were lost to this senseless violence, create a way for transgender people across the world to stand together and for allies to stand in solidarity. TDOR serves as the end to the annual week long awareness campaign, Transgender Awareness Week. This year’s awareness comes at a key time, as recent events further a resolve and elevate the need to raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people. Visibility has always been a critical part of the advancement of civil rights and I encourage all Philadelphians to elevate transgender and gender nonconforming people, recognize and confront the many and layered barriers they face, and celebrate their brilliant, beautiful lives. As we all celebrate the lives of transgender people and mourn those lives lost, may we all continue to commit and recommit again to being better allies and standing up with, for, and behind our transgender communities. We must work to end the discrimination in the streets, places of employment, housing and public accommodation, in homes, relationships and families, and society at large. We must work to end systematic oppression and create economic opportunities. We must work to create a society that respects, values and empowers transgender lives.

“There have been a record number of transgender homicides this year. Predominantly of young transgender women of color. There are undoubtedly more deaths and countless acts of violence, reported and unreported. We must always remember and honor these souls and pledge to work to end the violence they faced in life and the disrespect many face in death.”

Those lost in the United States and known to media and the public this year include:

Noony Norwood was only 30 when she was killed in Richmond, Virginia.

Brandi Bledsoe was only 32 when she was killed in Cleveland, Ohio.

Jazz Alford was only 30 years old when she was killed in Birmingham, Alabama.

Crystal Edmonds was only 32 years old when she was killed in Baltimore, Maryland.

T.T. was only 28 when she was killed in Chicago, Illinois.

Rae’Lynn Thomas was only 28 years old when she was killed in Columbus, Ohio.

Erykah Tijerina was only 36 years old when she was found dead at her home in El Paso, Texas.

Skye Mockabee was was only 25 when she was killed in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dee Whigham was only 25 years old when she was killed in St. Martin, Mississippi.

Deeniquia “Dee Dee” Dodds was only 22 when she was killed in Which ashington DC.

“Goddess” Diamond was 20 when she was killed in New Orleans.

Amos Beede was 38 when he was killed in Burlington.

Mercedes Successful was 32 when she was killed in Haines City.

Tyreece “Reecey” Walker was 32 when she was killed in Wichita.

Keyonna Blakeney was 22 when she was killed in Rockville.

Shante Isaac was 34 when she was killed in Houston.

Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum was 32 years old when she was killed in Los Angeles.

Kedarie/Kandicee Johnson was 16 years old when they killed in Burlington.

Demarkis Standsberry was 30 years old when he killed in Baton Rouge.

Maya Young was 24 years old when she was killed in Philadelphia.

Veronica Banks Cano was in her thirties when she was killed in San Antonio.

Kayden Clarke was 24 years old when he was killed in Mesa.

Jasmine Sierra was 52 when she was killed in Bakersfield.

Monica Loera was 43 when she was killed in Austin.