Transgender Day of Remembrance Set

Palm Springs City Hall will serve as the backdrop for the Transgender Day of Remembrance on Saturday, Nov. 20

PALM SPRINGS — The Transgender Health and Wellness Center will hold a special “Transgender Day of Remembrance” on Saturday, Nov. 20.

A 5 p.m. vigil will be held in front of Palm Springs City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. Keynote speakers will be Precious Brady-Davis and Joey Soloway.

The observance, held annually on Nov. 20, honors the memories of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

The ceremony will include the display of a “Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial Sculpture,” created by artist Heath Satow. The sculpture was inspired by the death of Yazmin Sanchez who was burned to death in a Florida alleyway. The scorched burn marks from her remains inspired a life-sized sculpture of a person laying in a somber sleeping position covered in butterflies. Butterflies are the spiritual symbol of transgender people.

The city of Palm Springs has a long history of commemorating TDOR. The year 2017 was a historical year for the City of Palm Springs, as Transgender Community Coalition donated the first Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial Cenotaph in memory of those transgender people that have been murdered and committed suicide due to a world that is not understanding nor accepting. This statue is the first of its kind and we thank everyone who participated in this inspiring event, showing your support for the transgender community.

In addition, Queer Works will a host a Transgender Day of Remembrance on Saturday, Nov. 20.

The event will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on the patio at Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. The program includes a welcome from Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Middleton and a keynote from Kataluna Enriquez, Miss Nevada USA, as well as the traditional reading of the names.

The event is open to everyone, regardless of gender identity.

For more information on the Queer Works event, click here.

For more information about the city’s event, click here.