Earlier this week, Alderperson Vasquez joined the Mayor, Equality Illinois, Chicago Therapy Collective, and the family of our dear friend and Trans Rights Activist Elise Malary in honor of Transgender Awareness Week, Transgender Day of Resilience, and in memory of Elise, who was taken from us all to soon.
November 20th is a day to both remember and honor trans individuals who have died unjustly due to transphobic violence as well as recognize the strength and resilience of the trans community and trans individuals despite facing daily systematic adversity and discrimination. The Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) started in 1999 with a vigil organized to remember Rita Hester, who was killed due to gender based violence in 1998. The vigil honoured Rita but recognized that her death was not exceptional. Tragically, hundreds of people are killed each year around the globe because of their trans identity. While November 20th began as a day to remember trans individuals who are no longer with us, it has grown to also include a celebration of the resiliency of the trans community.
Together we stand committed to making sure all of our neighbors, all of the city, and all of the nation know that Trans Rights are Human Rights!
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