International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), an annual observance to honor the lives of trans people who have been lost to transphobic violence, is on Nov. 20. During Transgender Awareness Week — which precedes the day of observance from Nov. 13 through 19, organizations and communities often center the voices and experiences of trans people through intentional acts of education and advocacy.
Here are some ways you can connect with others and honor the week:
Vigils and Memorial Services
Vigils are taking place in various communities and spaces across the region. Some religious organizations and colleges might be hosting their own events too.
For instance, the Community College of Philadelphia is hosting a flag-raising and vigil on Nov. 20 from 3 to 4 p.m. and University Lutheran Church is leading a vigil on Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. in Innovation Plaza.
Check in with local LGBTQ+ organizations to see what’s happening near you or try searching for hashtags — including #TDOR, #TransDayOfRemembrance, and #TDOR2024 — on social media.
Events at the Penn LGBT Center — Open to all
Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs is partnering with William Way LGBT Community Center, Galaei, Radiance Medical Group, the LGBT Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and Fulton Bank to offer a full day of trans-affirming activities on Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A movement and dance workshop will be the first organized session at 9:45 a.m., followed by additional activities throughout the day. Sessions include an herbal workshop, a physical therapy workshop, a zine-making workshop, and an open-mic space.
The event is free. Registering before the event will help organizers prepare to feed the community, as lunch and dinner will be provided. The day will end with a dinner reception, collaborative mural and remembrance reading.
To confirm attendance, visit bit.ly/4es2MqX.
Galaei is hosting the open mic portion of the event from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for trans people who want to share music, drag, burlesque, spoken-word or other forms of art from the stage. To register as an artist, visit bit.ly/3CpPOgc.
The Penn LGBT Center is also hosting their own in-person gatherings in the week leading up to TDOR. An informative lunch that introduces the Philadelphia Trans Oral History Project will occur on Nov. 13. A decompression station with art supplies, snacks, sensory toys and cartoons will be available throughout the day on Nov. 14. A free name-change clinic is planned for Nov. 15 with a follow-up for students about the name-change process as it pertains to life at Penn on Nov. 19. The group is also hosting a fitness meet-up for climbers on Nov. 18.
To learn more about these events, visit bit.ly/4etSMh9.
A meaningful opera
The Delaware Valley Opera Company of Philadelphia will present a two-act show, “Brandon’s Song,” that commemorates Brandon Teena, a trans man who was murdered in 1993. The concert will be held at Church of Saint Luke and The Epiphany on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. For more about this event, see our full story.
To purchase tickets, visit dvopera.org/brandons-song.
Events for Young People
The School District of Philadelphia is hosting an open mic night for those connected to the district at the school district’s central offices (440 N. Broad St) on Nov. 20 from 4 – 6 p.m. Students, faculty and other family or community members who feel connected to the district are invited to attend. Those interested are welcome to share words of encouragement, art, poetry, movement and other forms of expression from the stage.
To register, visit bit.ly/3UNmKWn.
Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to join Rainbow Connections — a monthly virtual meet-up that centers safe conversations and community for LGBTQ+ youth and peer allies. This month, participants will learn about Trans Awareness Week with a special guest, Sivan Kotler-Berkowitz — a trans youth athlete — who will share about this advocacy work and lead attendees in an art activity that uses drawing and words to celebrate what makes up each child’s sense of identity.
To register, visit abingtonfreelibrary.org.
Virtual Options
One virtual gathering — “Homeward Healing” — is a trauma-informed webinar for young adults in early stages of their transition about how to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. The session, which will offer resources as well as opportunity to learn about grounding practices centering exercises, aims to offer trans people a self-care and self-advocacy toolkit for spending time with family over the holidays. It will be held on Nov. 14 from 6-7 p.m.
To register, visit bit.ly/4fpUbq0.
The LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is hosting an online gathering from 8-9 p.m. on Nov. 20. The event will include a moment of silence to recognize the lives lost this year. There will also be opportunities to participate in community reflections and discussion, listen to speakers, and uplift trans youth and emerging leaders.
Approximately ten minutes will be reserved for participants to join small breakout groups to discuss ideas and plans for taking care of themselves and each other post-elections.
To learn more or register, visit lgbtqinstitute.org/tdor-2024.
Through Trans Awareness Week, Point of Pride — a trans-specific wellness organization — is hosting a series of virtual chats and Q&As about trans-affirming surgeries. Each event will cover a specific procedure, ensuring attendees get specific information from experts who specialize in the surgeries they’re interested in rather than offering generalized information.
To register, visit bit.ly/4hNB2Qm.
Garden State Equality is also hosting a variety of events for Trans Awareness Week, including an in-person community gathering in Asbury Park on Nov. 20. The organization is also leading virtual name change clinics to support those living in the state who need to update their documents.
For a full schedule, visit gardenstateequality.org/events/trans-awareness-week-2024.