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Chairman Phil Mendelson Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 2
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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 7
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Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Charles Allen 12
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Councilmember Matt Frumin Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 17
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Councilmember Zachary Parker 22
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 26
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 30
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To recognize the Transgender Day of Remembrance, to celebrate the resilience of transgender 34
individuals and communities, and to declare Wednesday, November 20, 2024, as 35
Transgender Day of Remembrance in the District of Columbia. 36
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WHEREAS, the government of the District of Columbia has affirmatively and officially 38
recognized the right of transgender people to live openly and freely as their authentic selves, 39
without fear of discrimination or violence; 40
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WHEREAS, examples of the District’s official commitment to the legal rights of 42
transgender residents include the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender identity or 43
expression since 2005, and the refusal to facilitate cross-border interference in gender-affirming 44
health care under the Human Rights Sanctuary Amendment Act of 2022; 45
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WHEREAS, the District of Columbia nevertheless has a particularly alarming history of 47
violence against transgender individuals including the murders of A’Nee Roberson, Jasmine 48
Parker, Zoe Spears, Ashanti Carmon, Deeniquia Dodds, Deoni Jones, Lashai Mclean, Tyli’a Mack, 49
Elexius Woodland, Bella Evangelista, Emonie Spaulding, Stephanie Thomas, Ukea Davis, and too 50
many others; 51
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WHEREAS, bias, violence and systemic oppression against transgender people remain 53
unacceptably prevalent, including in the District of Columbia; 54
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WHEREAS, incarceration, homelessness, poverty and addiction disproportionately harm 56
transgender people, especially transgender women of color, and continue to claim lives; 57
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WHEREAS, transgender people have the same human rights as all people to be free from 59
violence and discrimination, and to live their lives with joy, dignity, and hopes for the future, 60
respected and loved as any other person; 61
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WHEREAS, transgender people in the District of Columbia have long exhibited resilience 63
and bravery, including by organizing in response to the 1997 death of Tyra Hunter, a Black 64
transgender woman whom District employees refused to treat for life-threatening injuries after 65
determining that she was transgender; 66
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WHEREAS, since the 2023 Transgender Day of Remembrance, transgender people in the 68
surrounding area have continued to be murdered, including Meghan Lewis and Tai’vion Lathan, 69
while misgendering by media and police may have obscured additional instances of violence 70
against transgender people in the region; 71
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WHEREAS, the people and government of the District will continue to fight for 73
transgender people’s well-being, even in the face of escalating, cruel, politically motivated 74
attempts to discriminate against, stigmatize, and criminalize transgender people in state 75
legislatures and national political campaigns; and 76
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WHEREAS, the transgender community and allies in the District of Columbia have 78
commemorated Transgender Day of Remembrance since 2001 and communities and organizations 79
here and around the world will observe the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, 80
2024. 81
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA , That this 83
resolution may be cited as the “Transgender Day of Remembrance Recognition Resolution of 84
2024”. 85
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia declares November 20, 2024, as the 87
Transgender Day of Remembrance in the District of Columbia. 88
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 90
the District of Columbia Register. 91