Text of DC CER 220224 (2018)

ENROLLED ORIGINAL A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 22-224 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA November 7, 2017 To recognize the Transgender Day of Remembrance, to celebrate the resilience of transgender individuals, and to declare November 20, 2017, as “Transgender Day of Remembrance” in the District of Columbia. WHEREAS, transgender individuals face high rates and severity of violence, including accounting for over 68% of murdered lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or HIV-positive individuals in 2016, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects; WHEREAS, the District of Columbia has a particularly alarming history of violence against transgender individuals, especially transgender women of color, 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 year in the District of Columbia and the metropolitan area; WHEREAS, the national political climate of the past few years has demonized transgender people, including an effort to roll-back federal civil rights protections for transgender individuals; WHEREAS, 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 District of Columbia strives to be a city that is welcoming and safe for all residents and visitors, including transgender people; 1 ENROLLED ORIGINAL 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 District of Columbia 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 from 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 2017”. 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 November 20, 2017 as “Transgender Day of Remembrance” in the District of Columbia. Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register. 2