Senate Resolution No. 1144
BY: Senator PARKER
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
November 20, 2021, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 20, 2021, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 20, 2021, 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.
