On World AIDS Day, many individuals and organizations are taking time to reflect on the devastating effects this epidemic has had on people across the globe, particularly within the LGBT community. However, less often highlighted are the specific ways that HIV/AIDS has impacted transgender people.
After passing in both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature last week, today Gov. Deval Patrick (D) signed the historic Transgender Equal Rights Bill. The law will take effect on July 1, 2012, at which time the state's approximately 33,000 transgender residents will have vital protections against discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit and hate crimes law.
On Sunday, people around the world came together to commemorate the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Events to honor the day were held throughout the weekend, including an event at New York City's LGBT Community Center this past Friday, which was attended by GLAAD staff members.
Two transgender advocates, actress Laverne Cox and triathlete Chris Mosier, share their respective thoughts and experiences around the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Today, the United States Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis, issued a statement about the upcoming Transgender Day of Remembrance. "I am proud to stand and be counted as an ally to the transgender community and to every person and family impacted by anti-transgender violence," she said.
Kylar Broadus is an African-American transgender advocate, lawyer, and founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition, the only national social justice organization promoting the interests of transgender people of color. Below, he shares his thoughts on the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
In the following blog excerpt for Transgender Day of Remembrance, editor and trans advocate Janet Mock describes her experience of coming out to her date as a trans teenager and remembers the lives of those transgender women who were victims of violence.
Victoria Ruiz is a transgender advocate and a writer for the LGBT-themed, Spanish-language magazine, Adelante Magazine. For Transgender day of Remembrance, Victoria recounts her and her friend Yina’s experiences as immigrant Latina transgender women in Los Angeles.
In addition to attending an event in honor of the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, GLAAD encourages transgender individuals, as well as families, friends, and allies to help raise awareness about this important day through social media.
More than 1,500 New Yorkers gathered today in Manhattan to mourn the death of a 32 year-old gay man, who was shot down on Friday just blocks away from the historic Stonewall Inn in an apparent act of anti-gay bias.
