LGBTQ+ Ohioans plan events to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance 2023

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is held annually as a memorial to trans individuals who are killed each year due to hate, transphobia and society’s strict adherence to the gender binary.

From GLAAD:

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

We have collected here a listing of TDoR gatherings all across Ohio:

Sunday, November 19

Transgender Day of Remembrance Observance/Service (Silver Lake)

10am, Church at Silver Lake, 2951 Kent Road, Silver Lake, OH

All are welcome to attend.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (Toledo)

2pm-3:30pm, Handmade Toledo, 1717 Adams Street, Toledo, OH 43604

“Every year in November, across the country, transgender and gender-nonconforming communities come together to mourn those who have been taken from us due to anti-transgender violence.”

Trans Day of Remembrance (Hosted by Trans Joy Akron)

6pm-8pm, Lock 4, 200 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308

“Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance that honors trans lives lost to violence and discrimination. With the growing number of anti-trans acts, it is critical to hold space for memory and reflection, as well as bring awareness.”

The event is free, secular and co-sponsored by the City of Akron and The Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center.

Event Will Include:

• Outdoor & Indoor Space
• Accessible Parking
• Security
• Speakers/Poetry/Song
• Respectful Fire Ceremony
• Time for Reflection
• Voter Registration
• HIV prevention & PrEP Information
• Community Resources

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Monday, November 20

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2023 (Cincinnati)

6:00pm-9pm, Transform, 6839 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati

“Please join us for Trans Day of Remembrance as we remember our siblings we’ve lost, reclaim our resilience, and resist in our own space. All our welcome along the LGBTQ+ and ally spectrum. We will spend time connecting, remembering, creating, and curating community. We will make art, create in our ways, have space for chatting, and honoring those no longer with us. Light snacks and drinks provided.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2023 (Columbus)

6:30pm-9pm, King Avenue UMC, 299 King Avenue, Columbus

King Avenue United Methodist Church is once again hosting the Columbus Trans Day of Remembrance, presented by T Talks and Columbus Trans Pride. King Avenue UMC has hosted and supported this event for 15 years . This event will also be livestreamed on YouTube with the link posted on their Facebook pages. There will be tabling resources available from Trans Allies of Ohio, Stonewall Columbus, the King Avenue UMC Spectrum group, and others. More details:

• RSVP 𝗚𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 if you’re attending in person.
• RSVP 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 if you’re going to be watching the livestream.
• This event is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 for all trans* family, friends, and allies to attend.
• Please plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m. The secular service will begin at 7 pm and end at 8:30 p.m., followed by a short reception with cookies and warm beverages that will end at 9 p.m. 
• Wearing a mask is encouraged to attend the in-person event. If you cannot wear a mask or are not vaccinated, please watch the livestream.

Marion Trans Day of Remembrance Candle Light Vigil (Marion)

6:30pm, Founders Park, 164 S. Main Street, Marion

“We will honor the Trans and gender diverse lives lost this year to violence and suicide. We will have speakers, a short ceremony and read the names of those we’ve lost since last year.

Be mindful of the weather and dress appropriately.”

Cleveland Transgender Day of Remembrance (MetroHealth)

7pm-8pm, Southpoint Dr. & Scranton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109

“This has been a difficult year in many ways. We will remember those who passed and we will look to the future as an empowered community with a Discipline of Hope. All are invited. Please be mindful of the weather and dress warmly.”

Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil (The College of Wooster)

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, the Governance Room (Basement of the Scot Center) or in the Luce Hall 001 Multipurpose Room

“Join SGI as we honor and remember the trans and nonbinary lives lost to anti-trans violence throughout the United States over the past year. The Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil will take place on Trans Day of Remembrance: Monday, November 20th from 7-8:30pm in the Governance Room (Basement of the Scot Center).”

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2023 (Denison University)

“Outlook (Denison’s Queer-Straight Alliance) and the Center for Belonging and Inclusion co-sponsor events in honor of our trans community.”

Full Spectrum Transgender Day of Remembrance (Youngstown)

6pm-8pm, 660 W Earle Ave Youngstown, OH 44511

“Join us for a our 7th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance candlelight vigil as we read the names of those we have lost to senseless anti-transgender violence over the past year. Hear stories from various speakers in the community and take part in our “call to action” to help fight for understanding, acceptance, equality, inclusion, and most importantly an end to this violence.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance (Springfield)

6pm, First Baptist Church of Springfield, 638 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, OH 45506

“Join us for Transgender Day of Remembrance. This event is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil (Marysville)

6:20pm, First Congregational Church UCC, 124 W. 6th St., Marysville, OH 43040

“In unity and remembrance, the Union County Rainbow Coalition invites you to a solemn and heartfelt event. This important occasion is a time to honor and commemorate the transgender individuals who have lost their lives to violence, discrimination, and prejudice. Together, we can stand up against hate, ignorance, and intolerance.

What to expect: a touching candlelight vigil to remember and pay tribute to those we’ve lost,” held in the upstairs sanctuary.

Trans Day of Remembrance (Dayton)

Sinclair Community College, Ponitz Center, 444 West 3rd Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Jeopardy winner and transgender advocate Amy Schneider will speak at this year’s TDoR event in Dayton: “Please join us for Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. 

This event is free to attend: Please reserve your tickets ASAP Parking is free: Please park in the garage under Building 12 at Sinclair Community College 444 West Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402. This event will be in the Great Hall in Building 12.

The event will have security, light refreshments, and ASL interpreters. For any special accommodations please e-mail us.” 🔥

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Ignite Action

• To learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance, click here.
• To add an event listing, please email H.L. Comeriato at hl@thebuckeyeflame.com.