President Biden paid tribute to transgender Americans on the annual Trans Day of Remembrance, which is observed on November 20th. This day is dedicated to remembering and honoring the lives of trans individuals who have lost their lives to violence.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Mr. Biden expressed the need for continued efforts to fulfill the promise of equality. He acknowledged the tragic loss of 26 transgender Americans this year and emphasized that the actual number of victims is likely higher, with a significant majority being women of color.
To learn more about this issue, you can refer to this report.
US Secretary of State Affirms Human Rights of Transgender Persons Globally
In a separate statement, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed support for the humanity and human rights of transgender individuals worldwide. Blinken emphasized that transgender individuals are present in every country, culture, and faith tradition.
This statement comes after the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) declared a "state of emergency" for LGBTQ+ Americans earlier this year. The HRC highlighted the increasing number of anti-LGBTQ+ legislations, with over 220 specifically targeting transgender people. These legislations aim to limit their access to sports teams, restrooms, locker rooms, gender-affirming care, and inclusive school curricula.
According to data compiled by Transgender Europe, over 300 trans and gender-diverse people were reported murdered between October 2022 and September 2023.
Efforts to End Transphobic Violence
Secretary Blinken emphasized that it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that transgender individuals can live dignified lives without fear of violence or harm. He pledged to continue speaking out against transphobic violence and homicide until trans individuals can live free from discrimination.
Increasing Visibility and Support
Despite the existence of hostile legislation and political division on trans rights issues, research shows that more young people are identifying as transgender and seeing positive representation in culture.
President Biden also underscored the importance of not remaining silent in the face of hate. He called for a commitment to fighting discrimination until all Americans can live free from it.
