Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance

At Pride And Passport, our voyages are about more than destinations—they’re about community, visibility, and affirming every traveler’s right to feel safe and celebrated. On November 20, we join the global LGBTQIA+ community in observing Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a solemn day dedicated to honoring transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people whose lives were taken by violence and discrimination.

Why TDOR Matters

Founded in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize Rita Hester, a Black trans woman murdered in 1998, TDOR has grown into an international day of reflection. It reminds us of the ongoing crisis of violence facing trans communities and highlights the disproportionate impact on Black and Latina trans women, who continue to face intersecting barriers of racism, sexism, and transphobia.

In 2025, reports show that 41 transgender people in the U.S. have lost their lives to violence this year alone. Each name represents a life cut short, a story unfinished, and a reminder of the urgent need for advocacy, solidarity, and change.

How We Remember

• Vigils and ceremonies: Communities across the world gather to light candles, read names, and share space for mourning and resilience.
• Transgender Awareness Week: Leading up to TDOR, organizations host events to raise visibility, educate allies, and celebrate trans lives.
• Community action: Advocacy groups like Advocates for Trans Equality release annual reports, ensuring that those we’ve lost are remembered and that systemic violence is confronted.

Pride And Passport’s Commitment

Travel is about freedom—the freedom to explore, to connect, and to be yourself without fear. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to:

• Creating affirming travel spaces where trans and nonbinary travelers feel safe and celebrated.
• Amplifying trans voices in our storytelling, campaigns, and partnerships.
• Standing in solidarity with global movements for justice, equity, and inclusion.

A Call to Action

As we honor those we’ve lost, let us also celebrate the resilience of trans communities worldwide. Whether you attend a vigil, share resources, or simply take a moment to reflect, your participation helps build a world where every journey is safe, affirming, and full of possibility.

Together, we remember. Together, we resist. Together, we sail toward a future where every traveler is free to live authentically.