As a member of the United States military, I’ve dedicated my life to defending the freedoms that define our nation. One of the most important principles I’ve learned through service is that freedom, dignity and respect must extend to every person, no matter their gender identity. Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13-19) and Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20) are powerful reminders that for many transgender individuals, these freedoms are under constant threat due to violence and discrimination.

Despite progress in public attitudes toward transgender individuals, the community continues to face disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination. While overall violent crime decreased three percent from 2022 to 2023, anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes increased. There were 2,402 recorded incidents relating to a victim’s sexual orientation in 2023, up from 1,947 the year before, and 547 relating to the victim’s gender identity, compared with 469 in 2022, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s latest crime statistics report, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The HRC consistently reports that most victims of fatal violence are Black transgender women, underscoring the intersection of racism, sexism and transphobia that fuels this crisis.

The violence against transgender people is compounded by the systemic discrimination they face in various areas of life, including employment, healthcare and housing. According to a 2024 HRC study, 27 percent of transgender individuals have been fired, not hired or denied a promotion due to their identity. In healthcare, trans-people are three times more likely to delay seeking medical attention, often due to fear of discrimination. This is particularly alarming given that nearly 30 percent of trans-adults have been refused care by providers because of their gender identity.

The socioeconomic challenges are also staggering. Around 29 percent of trans-adults live in poverty, with even higher rates among Black (39 percent) and Latinx (48 percent) trans individuals. This financial instability often leaves transgender people more vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Furthermore, laws in some states, such as restrictive voter ID laws, disenfranchise transgender individuals, preventing them from exercising their most basic rights as citizens.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is not just a day to mourn but also a day to reflect on the systemic changes that are urgently needed. Positive representation, visibility and advocacy are crucial. When public figures and lawmakers speak up in support of transgender rights, it helps dismantle the stigma that has plagued the community for decades. However, too many lawmakers still leverage anti-trans stigma for political gain, perpetuating harmful narratives that fuel discrimination.

Gwendolyn Ann Smith’s founding vision for TDOR emphasized the need to fight for the right of transgender individuals to simply exist. Unfortunately, transphobic policies, such as those banning transgender people from using public restrooms that correspond with their gender identity, continue to jeopardize the safety and dignity of trans people across the country.

As a member of the U.S. military, I’ve witnessed significant strides toward making our armed forces more inclusive of all service members, including those who are transgender. For many years, transgender individuals were either barred from serving openly or faced harsh consequences if their gender identity became known. However, in recent years, the military has embraced changes aimed at ensuring that all service members, regardless of gender identity, are treated with dignity and respect.

In 2016, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a groundbreaking policy change, allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the military for the first time. This policy recognized the critical contributions of transgender personnel and the importance of inclusivity to the overall effectiveness of our armed forces. However, in 2019, this progress was temporarily reversed, with a ban on most transgender people from serving.

Thankfully, in January 2021, President Biden signed an executive order to reverse the ban, restoring the right for transgender individuals to serve openly. This decision reaffirmed the military’s commitment to inclusion, ensuring that all qualified individuals, regardless of gender identity, could contribute to the nation’s defense. The military has also implemented policies to provide access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender service members, acknowledging the importance of supporting their health and well-being.

The inclusion of transgender individuals in the armed forces reflects a broader recognition of diversity as a strength. By embracing service members of all gender identities, the military has reinforced its core values of honor, integrity and respect. This change not only benefits transgender service members by allowing them to serve authentically, but it also strengthens the military by fostering a culture of acceptance and unity.

As a service member, I’ve seen firsthand how these inclusive policies contribute to a more cohesive and effective force. When transgender personnel are allowed to serve openly and receive the support they need, they can focus on their duties without fear of discrimination. This aligns with the military’s mission to uphold the freedoms and values that define our nation.

While the statistics surrounding violence and discrimination are sobering, there is hope. Research has shown that transgender individuals who receive support from their families, schools and communities experience significantly better mental health outcomes. A 2019 report by the Williams Institute found that transgender people with supportive families are much less likely to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Additionally, when transgender youth are allowed to socially transition and are recognized by their chosen names, their mental health outcomes improve dramatically.

Positive representation and affirming spaces are crucial in combating the stigma and violence that transgender people face. Schools, workplaces, and communities that implement inclusive policies can help reduce the disparities in health and well-being that transgender individuals experience.

Transgender Day of Remembrance serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. We must honor the lives lost by continuing to fight for justice and equality. This means confronting the violence, discrimination, and systemic challenges that transgender individuals face daily. As we reflect on the lives we’ve lost, we must also commit to creating a world where every transgender person can live freely, safely, and with dignity.

Join KMC Pride on Nov. 16, 2024, for a Transgender awareness event:  a free screening of the new hit film, “I Saw the TV Glow” at the Brit Bar.

Sources:

U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). Transgender Day of Remembrance. U.S. Department of State.

Cullen, A. (2021, Dec 21). Transgender Day of Remembrance. University Wire.

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE. (2023). In US Fed News Service, Including US State News.

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