LGBT Equality Caucus Honors Transgender Day of Remembrance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2019
Contact: Kassie King, (314) 803-1276

LGBT Equality Caucus Honors Transgender Day of Remembrance

Washington, D.C. –– The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus today recognized Transgender Day of Remembrance by hosting a roundtable discussion with Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Representative Joe Kennedy III (MA-04), and Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03), featuring actress and trans activist Angelica Ross; conducting a Special Order hour on the floor of the House; and highlighting Representative Kennedy's House Resolution to Commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance.

"On International Transgender Day of Remembrance, we mourn the transgender loved ones we have lost and we channel their memory into action. With this resolution, we raise a unified voice to ensure that all transgender Americans know that they are seen and heard," said Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus Transgender Equality Task Force, Representative Kennedy. "But more than that, we recommit to a nation and a world where their lives are valued equally by their government and that this crisis of violence against trans Americans, particularly trans women of color, is seen for exactly what is."

More than 20 transgender and gender non-conforming Americans have been killed this year as a result of anti-trans violence and bias. The roundtable hosted by the Caucus served to provide members with context for this violence and a path forward through legislation and advocacy. Participating in the roundtable were actress and activist Angelica Ross; Ruby Corado, the Executive Director of Casa Ruby; Toni-Michelle Williams, the Programs Coordinator for Solutions NOT Punishment Coalition; and LaLa Zannell, the Trans Justice Campaign Manager for the American Civil Liberties Union.

"On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we come together to honor the lives lost this year to antitransgender violence, and to recognize the resilience of the transgender community in the face of great adversity. Our country is experiencing a crisis of violence towards transgender women – particularly transgender women of color. It's an issue impacting communities across the country, including the district that I represent in Kansas, and it's essential that we draw attention and discuss solutions to this in Congress," said Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, Representative Sharice Davids. "That's why I'm glad to introduce a resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance, and why I'm glad to participate in events like the Equality Caucus' roundtable on violence towards transgender women of color."

Members will tonight speak on the floor of the House on behalf of their constituents who lost their lives and to support the transgender communities within their districts.

"This year alone, 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed according to the Human Rights Campaign. That is sickening and it is a crisis that cannot be ignored. Mitch McConnell can begin solving this problem today by bringing the House passed Equality Act up for a vote, which would protect LGBTQ people's rights and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity and sexual orientation," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries. "Our message to trans and all marginalized communities is simple: We see you, we hear you and we will never stop fighting for your rights and safety."

"On behalf of the Caucus, I'd like to thank everyone who came together to make today's events happen, including Angelica Ross, Ruby Corado, Toni-Michelle Williams, LaLa Zannell, the House Democratic Caucus, the Speaker's Office, and GLAAD for their sponsorship," said Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus Executive Director, Shawn Gaylord.

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