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A vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Travis Park United Methodist Church at 230 E. Travis St.

Sponsored by the San Antonio Gender Association, Pride Center San Antonio and other LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, the event will honor the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. 

According to a report by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents occurred between May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2025. Of these incidents, 52% were specifically targeted towards trans and gender non-conforming people. During that timeframe, violence against trans and gender non-conforming people left 82 injured and 10 dead in the United States. Eight attacks were fatal against people of color. 

While the total number of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks went down 20% from the previous year, incidents against trans people increased by 14%, according to GLAAD’s report. 

One online tracker for the day of remembrance estimates that there were as many as 64 violent deaths in the U.S. involving trans people this year. Organizers for the vigil at Travis Park United Methodist Church said they will be reading 47 of these names and honoring 289 total victims worldwide.

The event starts with a resource fair highlighting local resources and organizations, such as Thrive Youth Center and Fiesta Youth. After the resource fair, attendees are invited to share poetry and stories at an open mic at the event, hosted by the San Antonio Public Library. The vigil will start after the open mic. 

“We start with a resource fair because we want to make sure everyone at the vigil is here next year,” SAGA Vice President Lilly Tscheope said, adding that they want to make sure that next year, they have fewer names to read.

“The event is open to all,” Tscheope said. “Everyone is welcome, including allies. The community needs to see just how big it is, and that includes those who support it, even if they don’t consider themselves part of it.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed on November 20. It was started as a way to recognize the 1998 murder of Rita Hester, a trans woman in Boston who worked to educate people in the area on issues in the transgender community.

“This is a day to commemorate and honor transgender people who have lost their lives due to violence,” said Amy Stone, an anthropology professor at Trinity University who specializes in LGBTQ+ research. “Most of the people honored are trans women, specifically trans women of color. It’s a way to honor their memory.”

Since its start in 1999, the candlelight vigil has become a global event honoring the lives of all reported murders of transgender people. In most vigils, organizers will read the names and a brief description of every reported victim in their country. 

This year, Trans Day of Remembrance is observed after 1,011 bills and 12 executive orders including anti-trans legislation were introduced across the country since the beginning of the year, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker. 

Texas leads with the most anti-trans legislation proposed this year of all 50 states, according to the independent research organization. 

“Under this administration, it’s important to support each other,” Tscheope said. “The theme is community and perseverance for a reason. The best way to honor the victims’ memories is to move forward and be there for each other during times like this.”

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