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Transgender Day of Remembrance & Black Trans Empowerment Week

Across the world, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is observed on November 20th. The day honors the memory of the transgender and/or non-gender-conforming people whose lives have been tragically lost in acts of violence that year. Sadly, there continues to been an alarming number of these deaths within the transgender community each year, with trans women of color most commonly being the victims.

This year, in an effort to change the tone of the annual observance, Houston-based organizations Mahogany Project and Save Our Sisters United have coordinated Black Trans Empowerment Week, not only to memorialize those who have been tragically lost, but to charge forward into the empowered future they envision for all transgender people.

The week of events commences on November 13 and boasts a variety of events (game nights, film screenings, mixers), all with one goal in mind: to further empower and celebrate the resilience of the black transgender experience.

On November 20, the week will culminate with the annual Transgender Day Of Remembrance: Celebration of Life ceremony at St. Luke the Evangelist Episcopal Church. Attendees will hear from artists and transgender activists who will honor the memory of those lost to the community too soon.

The Montrose Center is proud to share these events below and encourages those interested to attend. Each event is an opportunity to uplift, empower, and remember the lives of those still with us as well as those who are gone.

Check out some of their major events for the week! View our LGBTQ Events Calendar for quick add links for iCal and Google Calendar.

– Thursday, Nov 14 – 

Transquility Mixer | 630 to 10pm @ Match Gallery (3400 Main Street)

TransQuility is a safe and inclusive space to break the stigma associated with the trans experience. The event encourages and affirms the experience of trans people, promoting a healthier and safer stigma-free climate to decrease social isolation.

– Friday, Nov 15 – 

Friday Game Night | 6 to 10pm @ Montrose Center (401 Branard Street)

Sometimes we can be a bit too formal! So come and relax in a safe and stigma-free climate, enjoy some games and food with the community. Who knows you may even win a prize!

– Saturday, Nov 16 – 

Trans Empowerment and Alliance Party “A Nod to Stonewall” | 7 to 10pm @ Match Gallery (3400 Main Street)

The Trans Empowerment and Alliance Party provides a platform to honor the individuals within the community making a direct impact within communities of Trans-experience. Our goal is to give them their flowers while they’re still living and prevent others from becoming a hashtag.

– Sunday, Nov 17 –

Dear Marsha… A Word! | 4 to 8pm @ Midtown Art Center (3414 La Branch)

A word from individuals in our community affirming and sharing in a trans experience. Dedicating letters, poetry, and truth to power to amplify a more loving, education and safe environment.

– Monday, Nov 18 –

MAJOR! Documentary Screening | 6 to 9pm | UH Alumni Center – Melcher Room (3204 Cullen Blvd.)

MAJOR! explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated Black transgender elder and activist who has been fighting for the rights of trans women of color for over 40 years.

Miss Major is a veteran of the Stonewall Rebellion and a survivor of Attica State Prison, a former sex worker, an elder, and a community leader and human rights activist. She is simply “Mama” to many in her community. Her personal story and activism for transgender civil rights intersects LGBT struggles for justice and equality from the 1960s to today. At the center of her activism is her fierce advocacy for her girls, trans women of color who have survived police brutality and incarceration in men’s jails and prisons

– Tuesday, Nov 19 –

In Living Color – Resource and Wellness Forum | 6 to 10pm @ Montrose Center (401 Branard)

The Mahogany Project’s bi-monthly community forum exploring “How Far We’ve Come” – discussing 50 years after Stonewall. Highlighting what can be done locally to address trans specific issues and increase decreasing the numbers of trans murders in the south. Featuring a resource and wellness fair for people living in and out of the binary.

– Wednesday, Nov 20 –

Celebration of Life | 6 to 9pm @ St. Luke the Evangelist Episcopal Church (3530 Wheeler St)

Join us for our annual Celebration of Life Event as we honor the lives and legacy of our trans siblings and invoke their spirits by saying their names. 

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