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A Resolution recognizing November 20, 2020 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee.
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WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of transgender people around the world whose lives have been lost to anti-transgender violence; and
WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance was established in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith in remembrance of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998 in Allston, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance has been observed in over 185 cities throughout more than 20 countries; and
WHEREAS, the annual event provides a forum for transgender communities and allies to raise awareness of the threat of violence faced by gender variant people and the persistence of prejudice felt by the transgender community; and
WHEREAS, many communities organize events and activities to create and promote visibility of anti-transgender violence to stakeholders such as police, the media, and elected officials; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council recognizes that transgender members of our society are disproportionately affected by hate crimes and violence, and experience myriad challenges in their daily lives, including discrimination, disproportionately high levels of unemployment, and limited access to health care; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 the American Medical Association declared violence against the transgender community to be an epidemic; and
WHEREAS, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) reports that advocates have tracked at least 34 transgender or gender nonconforming people who have been fatally shot or killed by other means so far during 2020. Since HRC began tracking these data in 2013, advocates have never seen such a high number of fatal attacks against transgender or gender nonconforming people at this point in a year; and
WHEREAS, at least 74% of known victims of anti-transgender violence in 2017-2018 were misgendered in initial police or media reports surrounding their deaths; and
WHEREAS, fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color, who comprise 80% of all anti-transgender homicides; and
WHEREAS, despite the challenges faced by the transgender community, by observing Transgender Day of Remembrance we recognize and celebrate the growing awareness and acceptance of transgender people in Nashville and across the nation as marked by transgender people serving communities in various public capacities and being elected in increasing numbers to increasingly high public office in state legislatures and municipal bodies throughout the country. Local organizations committed to efforts to raise awareness of and equality for transgender and gender nonconforming people include the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, the Tennessee Vals, and the Metro Human Relations Commission; and
WHEREAS, on Transgender Day of Remembrance we honor and commemorate the strength, commitment, and remarkable efforts of those working to secure full and equal civil and human rights for all people, regardless of gender identity or expression.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing November 20, 2020 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Council is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, the Tennessee Vals, and the Metro Human Resources Commission.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.