Each year on November 20, we remember members of the transgender community who have been attacked and murdered. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least twenty two transgender people have been murdered in the United States in 2019. In Florida, at least fourteen members of the transgender community have lost their lives this decade, three of those murders happened in 2019 and five in 2018.

Terrie Rizzo, chair of the Florida Democratic Party released the following statement:

“Transgender Day of Remembrance is a time to mourn and a time to remember those we have lost in the transgender community due to hate and bigotry. But, we cannot stop there. Today is a day that reminds us of the work we still must do to end the violence inflicted on the transgender community.

“We must say today and every day that trans lives matter! Trans people are deserving of the right to be free from violence, free from discrimination, and free to shine. It is time to pass protections for the transgender community in Florida and the Florida Democratic Party is committed to working to see a comprehensive LGBTQ nondiscrimination law passed in Florida.”

The Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus released a statement this morning along with information for vigils local caucuses are holding across the state.

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:

“On Transgender Day of Remembrance we honor courageous individuals who dared to live the lives they were meant to live, but whose time with us was cut short. We are all accountable for ensuring acceptance, raising awareness, and providing support for our community, and in that respect today is a reminder that we have failed.

“The LGBTQ community in Florida is diverse, and that diversity is our strength. We stand united with Florida’s transgender community, and particularly our transgender women of color, who have been the target of deadly violence. Our thoughts are with them today, and our actions will support them always.”