New Hope Celebrates To Host Transgender Day Of Remembrance

NEW HOPE, PA — New Hope Celebrates will come together with community members on Nov. 20 to memorialize transgender and gender-nonconforming community members who have been killed, and to celebrate the transgender community, for Transgender Day of Remembrance.

The goal is "to support those in transition, recognize those who have died, and raise visibility for this worthy cause," according to a news release.

“The lives of Trans individuals continue to be ended too early by violent and terrible crimes," said Matthew Hanson, the president of New Hope celebrates. "Trans rights and freedom need to be discussed and fought for. [Transgender Day of Remembrance] is an important day for us to remember the lives lost and how we can help to fight for Trans lives. I want to recognize the great work Eva Guasconi and Lee Hill have done planning for this event as well."

Guasconi and Hill are new board members of New Hope Celebrates, who worked together to plan the event.

“Violence against the trans community is an issue I have been focused on for a long time," Guasconi said. “Being part of NHC has given me the opportunity to work with amazing people who feel the same way when it comes to the safety and visibility of our community. The many Trans individuals who have lost their lives will be honored and remembered to show that we will not let hate win. The violence must end.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1998 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender woman who is a graphic designer, columnist, and activist, to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester. Hester was a Black transgender woman, who was killed in her apartment in Allston, Massachusetts in 1998.

Celebrated annually on November 20, the purpose of Transgender Day of Remembrance is to bring attention to the violence endured by the transgender community.

At 3:30 p.m., New Hope Celebrates will have a Trans Remembrance Speakers Panel, made up of transgender individuals, medical professionals, and political leaders to discuss issues this community faces. Guests are invited to join in-person at New Hope Borough Hall, or virtually via Facebook Live and Zoom.

Following the panel, there will be a Walk of Remembrance at 5 p.m. This candlelight vigil will travel across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, where the names of victims whose lives were lost this year to anti-transgender violence will be shared and a moment of silence will be observed.

Afterwards, a Celebration of Life will be held at Under the Moon in Lambertville for light food, beer, and wine.

Learn more on the New Hope Celebrates website.

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