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SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
Resolution 38 of 2020
JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 20TH AS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE IN SALT LAKE CITY
WHEREAS, in 1998, Rita Hester, a transgender woman of color was murdered in Allston, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, the following year, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender woman, created the first Transgender Day of Remembrance in honor of Rita Hester and other transgender people who have lost their lives to violence; and
WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually to memorialize those lives that have been lost as a result of transphobic violence; and
WHEREAS, since 2006, Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah has organized a vigil in Salt Lake City every year; and
WHEREAS, deaths from transphobic violence have nearly doubled in the U.S. in the last year, for a total of 44 victims in the U.S. and 325 victims worldwide; and
WHEREAS, the true number of victims is unknown because of intentional misgendering and the difficulty identifying the bodies of many victims; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City values the lives and contributions to our community by transgender people; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City has the responsibility to promote equality and prosperity for all members of the transgender community; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City is proud to stand against the discrimination of transgender people.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City strongly value the lives of transgender people and honor those lives that have been lost as a result of transphobic violence throughout the United States of America and the world.
Adopted this 17th day of November, 2020.