Redwood City – The Board of Supervisors today proclaimed Nov. 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in San Mateo County.
To kick off events, the County is hosting a public flag-raising ceremony at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, to honor those who have lost their lives or experienced violence because of their gender identity or gender expression. The transgender flag will fly at Veterans Boulevard at the gateway to County Center in Redwood City.
“Here in San Mateo County, we are committed to protecting the rights of everyone from harm and oppression,” said Dave Pine, president of the Board of Supervisors. “We observe Transgender Day of Remembrance as a solemn occasion where we honor everyone who has experienced violence or has lost their life due to their gender identity and gender expression.”
Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually in late November in recognition of the 1998 murder of Rita Hester. Rita was a highly visible member of the transgender community in her native Boston, where she worked on education around transgender issues.
The proclamation passed today 5-0 says, “Transgender Day of Remembrance helps to raise the visibility of transgender and gender-diverse people who demonstrate courage and resilience in the face of prejudice, discrimination and violence….”
“This proclamation focuses us all on the need for resources for our trans and nonbinary community members, the same access to resources that’s given to our straight cisgender counterparts,” said Dana Johnson, a member of the County’s LGBTQIA+ Commission. “We applaud the Board of Supervisors for continuing to build a community that’s inclusive and affirming for our trans and nonbinary residents to thrive.”
To that end, local groups are joining together to honor loved ones and protect transgender lives on Monday, Nov. 20, at the San Mateo Public Library. Registration is required due to limited space.
Also at today’s meeting, the Board voted 5-0 to change the name of the San Mateo County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Commission to the San Mateo County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Plus (LGBTQIA+) Commission to better reflect the diversity in the community.
“Let us all come together,” Pine said, “to show our support for and our commitment to creating a community free of violence and oppression against transgender people.”
Event Details
County Flag-Raising Ceremony for Transgender Day of Remembrance
4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023
455 County Center, Courtyard
Redwood City 94063
Google Map Link
This event will be livestreamed to the County of San Mateo Facebook page.
2023 Transgender Day of Remembrance
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023
San Mateo Public Library, 55 W. 3rd Ave.
Registration is required due to limited space.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is adjacent to United Against Hate Week 2023, a call for local civic action to stop the hate and implicit biases that are a threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns and cities.
Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
mdurand@smcgov.org