Today is the 25^th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Started in 1999, it was originally a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transwoman who was killed in Massachusetts. This has become a national day to honor those who have lost their lives to anti-trans bigotry and violence. But more than acknowledging the threats and violence, we must also celebrate the courage, fullness and vitality of their lives.

For them, and the beautiful transgender and gender diverse people we serve, work with and love, ANAC is committed to working towards a world where all people can thrive as valued and respected members of society, and that includes in medical encounters. We have released an ANAC position statement, “The Rights of Transgender People in Healthcare,” with action steps each one of us can take to support our transgender sisters and brothers.

The Williams Institute at UCLA Law estimates that 1.6 million people in the US ages 13 and up identify as transgender. Transgender and gender diverse people are more than four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violence, including rape and assault. It’s heartbreaking to read the HRC 2024 report The Epidemic of Violence Against the Transgender and Gender Expansive Community and know that at least 30 individuals lost their lives in 2024 due to anti-trans bigotry and violence.

This must end.