Senate Resolution No. 215 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 20, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate and increase awareness of the community issues that are of significance to the citizens of this great Nation and Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 20, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Transgender Day of Remembrance; and WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually since its inception on November 20th as a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia; it is also a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people; and WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 by a small group, including Gwendolyn Ann Smith, to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester, a transgender woman in Allston, Massachusetts; by 2010, TDoR was observed in over 185 cities throughout more than 20 countries; and WHEREAS, Each year, a typical TDoR memorial includes a reading of the names of those who lost their lives from November 20 of the former year to November 20 of the current year, and may include other tributes, such as candlelight vigils, dedicated church services, marches, art shows, food drives and film screenings; and WHEREAS, Formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD has extensively covered Transgender Day of Remembrance through its interviews of numerous transgender advocates including actress Candis Cayne; this vital organization has also profiled an event at the New York City LGBT Community Center and has widely discussed media coverage of TDoR; and WHEREAS, Transgender violence and bigotry harm our communities, with statistics showing that one in two transgender and gender non-binary individuals have encountered verbal, physical, emotional, or digital violence; and WHEREAS, One in five transgender people in the United States have been denied housing and 11% have been evicted for their gender identity; furthermore, one in 12 transgender people report being kicked out of their family homes and one in five transgender people have been homeless at some point in their lives; and WHEREAS, Transgender people have a rate of depression nearly four times that of the general population and 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide in their lifetime (nine times the rate of the general population); and WHEREAS, One in two transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their life, with that percent only increasing for females and people of color; and WHEREAS, More than half of transgender individuals have experienced harassment due to their gender identity at their work or in medical offices; and WHEREAS, Transgender people are four times more likely to live in poverty than the general population; and WHEREAS, We must work together to educate our communities about transgender rights, supporting the transgender community, and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions which condone transphobia; and WHEREAS, When we as a New York State Legislative Body actively get involved, we can prevent transphobia by increasing education, awareness, and community involvement; and WHEREAS, It is time to create a safer environment in the workplace, the community, and the whole State of New York; and WHEREAS, November 20th is National Transgender Day of Remembrance and each day in the year is an opportunity to create change for the future; and WHEREAS, Transgender violence is a horrific hate crime which deserves the attention of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim November 20, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of the Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.