Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement on the 14th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance:

“Today we memorialize those who have been killed because of intolerance, and bring needed attention to the continued bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence endured by the transgender community.

Throughout the world, the Transgender Day of Remembrance provides a public forum to mourn, honor and memorialize the lives of the transgender community who might otherwise be forgotten. This Day of Remembrance serves as a reminder for all San Franciscans that transgender people are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, parents, spouses and friends.

In San Francisco, we continue to make landmark progress to ensure equal rights and access to quality education, healthcare and employment for the transgender community. We will continue to make sure that no one is subjected to violence, discrimination or hatred simply because of one’s gender identity and no one should be denied the basic rights that ensure their safety and security. These are the values of our City and we will never forget.”

In honor of the transgender individuals who lost their lives because of hatred, Mayor Lee has proclaimed today as Transgender Day of Remembrance Day in San Francisco. The 2012 Transgender Day of Remembrance also marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Gwen Araujo who died in a hate crime that shocked the Bay Area community, led to a prolonged murder trial and drew a national spotlight on the violence faced by the transgender community, particularly transgender women of color. While much progress has been made in the last 10 years in the area of transgender rights, anti-transgender violence sadly remains.