Text of DC CER 184 (2020)

ENROLLED ORIGINAL A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 23-184 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA November 5, 2019 To recognize the Transgender Day of Remembrance, to celebrate the resilience of transgender individuals, and to declare Wednesday, November 20, 2019, as “Transgender Day of Remembrance” in the District of Columbia. WHEREAS, transgender individuals face disproportionately high rates and severity of violence, and the vast majority of transgender women murdered and attacked each year are African American or Latina, requiring that the continued commitment to fight racism be a critical component of efforts to protect transgender lives; WHEREAS, the past three years have been characterized by a dramatic increase in violence against transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, part of a national trend of increased bias-motivated violence; WHEREAS, the District of Columbia has a particularly alarming history of violence against transgender individuals including the murders of Deeniquia Dodds, Deoni Jones, Lashai Mclean, Tyli’a Mack, Elexius Woodland, Bella Evangelista, Emonie Spaulding, Stephanie Thomas, Ukea Davis, and too many others; WHEREAS, countless transgender individuals experienced violence and harassment this past year in the District of Columbia and the metropolitan area, including the murders of Ashanti Carmon in March and Zoe Spears in June along the border of D.C. with Fairmount Heights, Maryland, and attacks on transgender women near Casa Ruby community center, No Justice No Pride house, and the D.C. Eagle bar; WHEREAS, the American Medical Association has characterized “the epidemic of violence against the transgender community, especially the amplified physical dangers faced by transgender people of color” as an urgent public health issue; ENROLLED ORIGINAL WHEREAS, the national political climate of recent years has demonized transgender people, including efforts to legalize discrimination against and remove protections for transgender individuals; WHEREAS, the District of Columbia strives to be a city that is welcoming and safe for all residents and visitors, including transgender people; WHEREAS, the Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on November 20 around the world to memorialize those killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice; WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance is also a time to recognize the resilience of transgender communities and individuals, and to celebrate those who are living and fighting against hatred; and WHEREAS, the D.C. transgender community and allies have commemorated Transgender Day of Remembrance since 2001, growing from a small group of activists to an event that attracts hundreds of participants and attendance by government officials. RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this resolution may be cited as the “Transgender Day of Remembrance Recognition Resolution of 2019”. Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the contributions of the transgender community, its vulnerability to violence, and the resilience of transgender individuals, and declares Wednesday, November 20, 2019 as “Transgender Day of Remembrance”. Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.