National Transgender Day of Remembrance

WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance, to honor the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence, is an annual event which began in 1998 with a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered, and which now honors all transgender people lost to violence; and

WHEREAS, our entire community is diminished when we lose the talents and contributions of any member of our community prematurely, whether due to direct anti-transgender violence or due to suicide or other health or mental health effects resulting from trauma or discrimination; and

WHEREAS, Arlington County honors the bravery and resilience of all the transgender individuals who live, work or play in our county in their authentic gender, and although we are proud of the existing protections we have in place for transgender individuals to pursue their lives free from discrimination in Arlington, we reaffirm a commitment to on-going efforts to promote full inclusion of transgender individuals in the County; and

WHEREAS, we honor the outstanding organizations that serve as resources to transgender individuals in Arlington, including: The Transgender Education Association (TGEA) an educational association that seeks to serve the needs and interests of all the people in the gender community; Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA), a nonpartisan non-profit open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) people and allies which fosters civic awareness, and engages in community service; Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Arlington, which is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy for families and allies with LGBTQ people; NovaSalud, a non-profit, community-based health organization which provides free, language-appropriate, culturally competent HIV and HCV prevention education, and testing, counseling, and referral services;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Katie Cristol, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 20, 2018 as

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

in Arlington and call upon our residents to reflect upon the importance each individual has in our community.

Katie Cristol

Chair