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The latest news and announcements from Mayor London N. Breed

Mayor Lee’s Statement on Attack of Transgender Woman & Commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement after a transgender woman was attacked this week in San Francisco and in advance of Transgender Day of Remembrance:

“This week we will remember those who have died tragically because of hatred and intolerance. There is never an excuse for violence in our communities, and while much progress has been made in the last decade to advance transgender rights, anti-transgender violence sadly still exists. Just this week a transgender woman was attacked in San Francisco. I thank the San Francisco Police Department for quickly apprehending and arresting two suspects and I expect a swift and thorough investigation. There is no place in our City for intolerance or violence.

This incident is a stark reminder that greater awareness is needed to end bullying, discrimination and violence against our transgender community.

In San Francisco, we continue to advance equal rights for the transgender community, including equal access to quality housing, education, healthcare, and employment. Transgender people are our family, our coworkers and our friends, and we recommit ourselves to equality so that no one is denied basic rights that ensure safety and success in our City.”

As part of this year’s two year budget, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission will receive $500,000 to fund programs for the City’s transgender community. This includes additional support for our community organization partners, whose leadership has been instrumental in providing transgender services.

In honor of the transgender individuals who lost their lives because of hatred and intolerance, Mayor Lee has proclaimed Friday, November 20, 2015 as Transgender Day of Remembrance in San Francisco Day and has ordered City Hall to be lit in Blue, Pink and White in the colors of the Transgender Flag.