The deadliest year
Trans Day of Remembrance 2021

Say their names. Samylla Marry Windson was a mother, a sister, a friend and a queen, who welcomed everyone with open arms and helped humans and animals as much as she could.

Say her name.

Devanny Cardiel was a great human being, a great trans ambassador friend of the state of Guanajuato.

Say her name.

Sumana Dhar was a local community leader and activist who campaigned against violence and for better understanding of transgender people.

Say her name.

These women are three of the 375 trans and gender diverse people known to have been murdered this year, with 2021 being called the deadliest year for trans and gender diverse people.

Say their names.

Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR), held annually on 20 November, is a day for us to honour the memories of Samylla, Devanny, Sumana and the many others lost in acts of anti-trans violence. It’s a day to acknowledge the hate and daily discrimination faced by trans and gender diverse people in the UK and around the world - and how that impacts us, our relationships, families or when trying to access work, housing, healthcare, and education. It’s a day to be mindful that the rights and existence of trans and gender diverse people are seen by some as up for debate, with arguments that were used against gay people in the 70s and 80s being recycled to present trans people as a threat.   

I’d like to invite you to take a moment to remember the names of those who've been lost and reflect on the lived experiences of trans and gender diverse people - whether you're part of this community, an ally or someone who has just heard about TDoR for the first time. TDoR comes at the end of Trans Awareness Week so it's also a time to reflect on what we do in our work or daily life to respect the rights and dignity of trans and gender diverse people, appreciate and celebrate the variety of cultures in this world, and work towards the fair and adequate provision of services for all – and recommit to this for another year. The Good Practice across the Counselling Professions resource on Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity may be useful to support this work, as well as some of the other links listed on this page.