Denver City Councilwoman Robin Kniech rattled off statistics and news events that have marked setbacks in the fight for transgender people’s rights this year, from an increase in killings to President Trump’s in the military.
And yet last week brought an illustration of strides made in transgender rights: , a Virginia Democrat, as the nation’s first openly transgender state lawmaker. And Colorado, while lacking some protections that advocates have sought, long has protected gender identity in its civil rights law.
Kniech, Denver’s first openly gay council member, cited all of those markers Monday night as the council for the first time approved a proclamation marking Nov. 20 as National Transgender Day of Remembrance. The vote was 13-0.
“In the midst of all these threats, there is hope,” Kniech said, referring to over the proposed military service ban. “They are fighting, and they are winning.”
She and other council members voiced support for the transgender community in the face of threats to their safety nationally. Twenty-five transgender people have been killed by violent means so far this year, .
“That’s an uptick from last year, which was an uptick from the year before,” Kniech said.
The council’s proclamation honored several organizations that serve or advocate for transgender individuals, including the Gender Identity Center. That group plans to host a vigil honoring people lost to anti-transgender violence from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20 at East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade. A reception will follow from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance began after , a black transgender woman. Her murder remains unsolved.
“There’s nothing that the transgender community needs more than support from everyone else,” said Julie Condolora, vice president of the Gender Identity Center, in accepting the proclamation with president Jesse Goodwin. “It’s the one thing we lack. … This proclamation, while it may not seem like a lot, means a real lot to us.”
Council president Albus Brooks responded to that sentiment in a final remark, as the council and the gallery stood to applaud the transgender activists who attended.
“Thank you,” he told the women. “We’ve got your back.”