ICYMI: Transgender Day of Remembrance 2017 at Expressions Church

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

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.

More on Transgender Day of Remembrance: 
The Gayly’s exclusive interview with Founder of TDOR
November isn't just about Thanksgiving
A focus on the stories of trans people killed in 2017, and a call to action
Transgender Day of Remembrance event in NWA

Val Wiestner speaking at "The Gayly's" annual TDOR event at Expressions Church 2017. Twitter photo.

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.

Kira Wertz speaking at "The Gayly's" annual TDOR event at Expressions Church 2017. Twitter photo.

Several gathered at Expression Church in Oklahoma City to observe TDOR. 

Sara Cunningham speaking at "The Gayly's" annual TDOR event at Expressions Church 2017. Twitter photo.

Watch the event above. 

Sean Gentry speaking at "The Gayly's" annual TDOR event at Expressions Church 2017. Twitter photo.

Pastor Neill Coffman speaking at "The Gayly's" annual TDOR event at Expressions Church 2017. Twitter photo.

Luis Miguel Barajas reading the names of all the trans lives we’ve lost this year at "The Gayly's" annual TDOR event at Expressions Church 2017. Twitter photo.

Copyright The Gayly – November 21, 2017@ 9:55 a.m. CST.