White House observes Transgender Day Of Remembrance
Wed. November 21, 2012 9:17 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Washington, D.C. -
The White House on Tuesday observed the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), a day set aside to raise public awareness around increasing rates of violence facing transgender people.
Roughly two dozen transgender activists met at the White House. They were received by John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management.
"At the meeting, community leaders highlighted a range of issues and concerns of importance to transgender people," the White House said in a blog post. "In the months and years ahead, we look forward to working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all transgender people."
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis also issued a statement commemorating the day.
"I stand proudly today – and every day – as an ally to the transgender community and to every person and family impacted by anti-transgender bullying and violence," Solis said. "Transgender people are part of the diversity that America celebrates today and they, like every American, deserve to live without fear of prejudice or violence."
The first Transgender Day of Remembrance was held in 1999 to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester, a transgender African-American woman whose 1998 murder remains unsolved.
Roughly two dozen transgender activists met at the White House. They were received by John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management.
"At the meeting, community leaders highlighted a range of issues and concerns of importance to transgender people," the White House said in a blog post. "In the months and years ahead, we look forward to working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all transgender people."
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis also issued a statement commemorating the day.
"I stand proudly today – and every day – as an ally to the transgender community and to every person and family impacted by anti-transgender bullying and violence," Solis said. "Transgender people are part of the diversity that America celebrates today and they, like every American, deserve to live without fear of prejudice or violence."
The first Transgender Day of Remembrance was held in 1999 to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester, a transgender African-American woman whose 1998 murder remains unsolved.