Blog 11/10/23

Equitas Health Honors Transgender Day of Remembrance and Awareness Week

Gwendolyn Ann Smith organized the first Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) in 1999 to honor the life of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered in 1998. Twenty-five years after Hester’s death, we continue to come together on November 20 to honor and remember the people killed each year by anti-transgender violence.

The Human Rights Campaign reports that at least 25 transgender and gender non-conforming people lost their lives to anti-transgender violence to date in 2023. The number is likely higher given these crimes often are misreported, underreported, or not reported at all. In addition, state lawmakers this year introduced nearly 200 laws that ban or limit access to gender affirming healthcare, public restrooms, legal recognition, sports, and more. Such laws continue to fuel anti-transgender hate and violence.

The week before Transgender Day of Remembrance is Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13 – 19). Events held throughout the week honor and uplift the transgender community.

This year, Equitas Health’s Mozaic program will host two events in honor of Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance. The first is an End-of-Life Planning Workshop on Nov. 17. Mozaic outreach specialist Quinn Bennet (He/Him) will lead a discussion about living wills, healthcare power of attorney, and advance directives, and why these things matter. On Nov. 20^th, Mozaic will also host a Transgender Day of Remembrance Variety Show to highlight trans joy and talent.

 Take time to remember. Find an event in your area.

AKRON

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil
NOV 18 | 7 PM | FREE

Join the University of Akron’s LGBTUA, Pride in STEMM, and the Office of Multicultural Development at the Coleman Common in the center of campus. Guest speakers will lead the community in a vigil and reflection walk. A reception with snacks and resources will follow.*

The University of Akron | 303 Carroll St. | Akron, OH 44325

*In the event of rain, the vigil will move to the international Lounge of the Jean Hower Taber Student Union (across from Starbucks).

Trans Day of Remembrance Commemoration
NOV 19 | 6 – 8 PM | FREE

Join Trans Joy Akron, the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and the City of Akron at Lock 4 for a free, respectful commemoration honoring trans lives lost to violence and discrimination.

Lock 4 (behind the Akron Civic Theater) | 200 S Main St.* | Akron, OH 44308

*Free, accessible parking available at Cascade Parking Deck | 10 West Mill St. | Park at ORANGE LEVEL 2. Exit through glass doors directly to Lock 4.

ATHENS

Transgender Awareness Week Film and Transgender Day of Remembrance Program
NOV 20 | TBD

Join the Ohio University LGBT Center for a viewing and discussion of a transgender film and videos that highlight themes of strength, identity, and perseverance. For information about the time and location, call the LGBT Center at (740) 593-0239 or email lgbt@ohio.edu.

COLUMBUS

Mozaic Trans Day of Remembrance Workshop
NOV 17 | 5 PM | FREE

Join Mozaic for an in-person & online workshop. Outreach specialist Quinn Bennett (He/Him) will lead a discussion about living wills, healthcare power of attorney, and advance directives. Find out what they mean and why they matter to the transgender community.

RSVP at tinyurl.com/3ru8y7dm.

750 E. Long St. | Columbus, OH 43203 | (614) 572-0820

Mozaic Trans Day of Remembrance Variety Show
NOV 20 | 6 – 9 PM | FREE

Join Mozaic for an evening of entertainment to honor Trans Day of Remembrance. Enjoy song, dance, food & fun as we celebrate trans joy and talent. We will begin the evening with a reading of names of those we’ve lost this year.

RSVP at tinyurl.com/4x9x3z77.

Stonewall Columbus | 1160 N. High St. | Columbus, OH 43201

Trans Awareness and Empowerment Week at the Ohio State University
Storytelling and Open Mic
NOV 17 | 6 – 9 PM | FREE

OSU’s Center for Belonging and Social Change in partnership with Central Ohio’s T Talks will host a community storytelling event featuring speakers from the local transgender community and an open mic for anyone who wants to share their story.

Clinton Room | Fawcett Center | 2400 Olentangy River Rd. | Columbus, OH 43210

Columbus Transgender Day of Remembrance
NOV 20 | 6:30 – 9 PM | FREE

Join family, friends, and allies at King Avenue United Methodist Church for the Columbus Transgender Day of Remembrance presented by T Talks, Columbus Trans Pride, and TransOhio. Please plan to arrive at 6:30 for the 7 PM program. A short reception will follow.

299 King Ave. | Columbus, OH 43201 | (614) 424-6050

DAYTON

This is Trans Exhibition and Wellness
Open now through NOV 28

Visit the Greater Dayton LGBT Center for an exhibition created and photographed by Mx. Vincent-Natasha Gay.

136 N. St. Clair St. | Dayton, OH 45402 | (937) 274-1776

Sinclair Community College Transgender Day of Remembrance
NOV 20 | 7 PM | FREE

Keynote speaker: Jeopardy champion, activist, and author Amy Schneider. Her memoir, In the Form of a Question: The Joys and Rewards of a Curious Life, was released last month.

Guest speakers: Lana Moore, Sean Miller, and Nico

Light refreshments and an ASL interpreter will be provided. Reserve a ticket for this free event at tinyurl.com/h2jjkvw7.

Building 12 | 444 West 3^rd St. | Dayton, OH 45402

Transgender Awareness Book Discussion
NOV 16 | 7 PM | IN-PERSON & ONLINE

Join a community book discussion at Wright Memorial Public Library. We’ll talk about Jennifer Finney Boylan’s memoir, She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders. Meet in the library’s Community Room or join the discussion on Zoom. Register at tinyurl.com/3pdbz68n.

1776 Far Hills Ave. | Oakwood, OH 45419 | (937) 294-7171

TOLEDO

Trans Day of Remembrance
NOV 19 | 2 – 3:30 PM

Equality Toledo will honor and remember those who lost their lives in 2023. The event takes place in Handmade Toledo’s event space and includes various forms of interactive media.

1717 Adams St. | Toledo, OH 43604 | (419) 214-1717