HARRISBURG, PA – State officials and community leaders gathered this week to honor lives lost at an event recognizing and supporting Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ+ community.

Thursday, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs and the Legislative LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus remembered the 54 transgender Americans, including three Pennsylvanians, who have lost their lives due to acts of violence this past year, according to a news release from the commission’s office.

Officials say Thursday evening, the Commission will also light the Pennsylvania Capitol in light blue, pink, and white — the colors of the transgender flag — in recognition of Trans Day of Remembrance, which is recognized internationally on Nov. 20.

“As a trans, non-binary person I am always sad to be a part of these events, but it gives me hope to know that there are people at every level of government standing up for my community. It will take all of us to do the work together to end transphobia and anti-LGBTQ hatred right here in the Commonwealth,” said Ashleigh Strange, Executive Director, Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to ending this cycle of violence in our communities, and we are heartened by some of the progress we’ve made to ensure that LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians in our communities are cared for and protected.”

The Commission brought together legislators, community advocates, local LGBT centers across the Commonwealth, violence prevention organizations, and families in a solemn remembrance of the transgender Pennsylvanians whose lives were lost in the past year due to acts of violence, the commission’s office says.

The Pennsylvanians honored today include – Lily-Dawn Hawkins of Montgomery County, Gabrielle Nguyen of Philadelphia County, and Robyn Post of Erie County.

The release says the Shapiro Administration is committed to honoring those lives lost and building a Commonwealth that is warm and welcoming for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, or who they love.