Vigil in San Antonio Honors Lives Lost to Anti-Trans Violence

A vigil for the Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place on November 20 at 6 p.m. at the Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio. The event, organized by the San Antonio Gender Association (SAGA) along with the Pride Center San Antonio and other LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, aims to honor the memory of transgender individuals who have lost their lives due to violence.

The event highlights the alarming statistics surrounding anti-transgender violence. According to a report by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), there were 932 anti-LGBTQ incidents reported in the United States between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025. Notably, 52% of these incidents specifically targeted trans and gender non-conforming individuals. During this period, violence against these communities resulted in 82 injuries and 10 fatalities, with eight of these deaths involving people of color. While the overall number of anti-LGBTQ+ attacks decreased by 20% compared to the previous year, incidents against trans individuals saw a concerning 14% rise.

In remembrance, organizers plan to read the names of 47 victims from this year and acknowledge a total of 289 victims worldwide. The vigil will begin with a resource fair, showcasing local organizations such as the Thrive Youth Center and Fiesta Youth. Following the resource fair, participants can share poetry and personal stories during an open mic session hosted by the San Antonio Public Library.

“We start with a resource fair because we want to make sure everyone at the vigil is here next year,” said SAGA Vice President Lilly Tscheope. She emphasized the importance of community support and the goal of reducing the number of names read at future vigils. “The event is open to all. Everyone is welcome, including allies. The community needs to see just how big it is, and that includes those who support it, even if they don’t consider themselves part of it.”

The Transgender Day of Remembrance originated in 1999 to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman murdered in 1998 in Boston. Hester was an activist who worked to raise awareness about issues affecting the transgender community. “This is a day to commemorate and honor transgender people who have lost their lives due to violence,” stated Amy Stone, an anthropology professor at Trinity University specializing in LGBTQ+ research. She noted that many of the individuals honored at these events are trans women, particularly trans women of color.

This year’s observance takes place against the backdrop of increasing anti-trans legislation in the United States. The Trans Legislation Tracker reports that since the beginning of the year, 1,011 bills and 12 executive orders related to anti-trans legislation have been introduced nationwide, with Texas leading all states in such proposals.

“Under this administration, it’s important to support each other,” Tscheope remarked. “The theme is community and perseverance for a reason. The best way to honor the victims’ memories is to move forward and be there for each other during times like this.”

As the vigil approaches, community members are encouraged to attend and participate in honoring the lives lost to violence while fostering a supportive environment for those affected by these issues. The event serves not only as a remembrance but also as a call to action for continued advocacy and solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community.