The first Transgender Day of Remembrance was held Nov. 20, 1999. It was launched by Gwedndolyn Ann Smith to honour a trans woman who had been murdered the year before, Rita Hester. Those whose lives have been lost or who have faced violence of any kind are remembered — and this is a good time to reinforce your commitment to being a strong and vocal ally.

To learn more about the Trans Day of Remembrance, visit the GLAAD website.

The Advocate’s website pairs the faces and stories of trans people who have lost their lives in 2018.