341 Lives Mourned, Names Read, at Transgender Day of Remembrance Service

341 lives mourned, names learn on the Transgender Day of Remembrance Service

(Crystal A. Proxmire, November 29, 2025)

Ferndale, MI – “It’s culturally mentioned that so long as a reputation is spoken, that individual is just not actually useless.”

The sentiment was echoed by Elder Hattie Alexander-Key, who delivered the invocation throughout the Transgender Day of Remembrance Ceremony on Nov. 20 throughout Affirmations.

Yearly, the Gender Identification Community Alliance hosts a service the place volunteers learn the names of transgender individuals who have died by homicide or suicide previously 12 months. Though saying their title doesn’t deliver them again, it does imply that they’re remembered and honored by all of the teams that manage such occasions worldwide. The listing contains individuals from many nations, together with these from america.

5 of the names talked about have been of individuals from Michigan.

Tahiry Broom was fatally shot in Southfield on February 11, 2025.

Karmin Wells was murdered in her home on Might 24, 2025.

Christina Hayes of Taylor was strangled in Detroit on June 21, 2025.

The listing additionally included two members of the trans neighborhood who died by suicide, Mack Golia of Grand Rapids Ryan Skates from Berkleywho was solely 16 years outdated.

“On this political local weather, persons are being focused based mostly on who they love and the way they reside,” mentioned Kam Cities, assistant prosecutor within the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Workplace. Cities urged these in attendance to report crime, and to take action rapidly. Reporting harassment and assault could make the neighborhood safer. “Whether or not you’re a sufferer or a witness, members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood are infamous non-reporters.”

She added that reviews needs to be filed rapidly, even when the sufferer is afraid. “I can not emphasize sufficient how essential it’s to return ahead instantly,” Cities mentioned. “It is onerous to elucidate to a jury why somebody waited three days earlier than going to the police.” Even when persons are hesitant to contain police, Cities explains, “the charging choices are made on the DA’s workplace.” In Wayne and Oakland counties, prosecutors have welcomed members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

Group Engagement Liaison for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Workplace Julisa Abad additionally spoke on the occasion and mentioned her workplace helped implement practically 800 title adjustments for transgender and non-binary people.

Abad additionally urged neighborhood members to watch out, particularly when assembly new individuals. “We reside in loopy occasions, and on-line courting is even crazier. Take footage and ship them to somebody you understand in case we have to discover you.”

Between speeches there was the solemn custom of studying every title, location and date of loss of life. The names have been learn by Carmen Garcia-Horn and Terri Agokwe and candles have been lit by Eric Folkmire and Julia Music. Natalie Siagkris-Seymour performed piano and guitar to create the solemn environment.

Gender Identification Community Alliance Govt Director Michelle Fox-Phillips led the ceremony and shared the historical past of the day. Transgender Day of Remembrance started in response to the November 1998 homicide of Rita Hester in Sand Francisco, CA. Attendees of Hester’s candlelight vigil began an internet site, “Remembering Our Useless,” to pay tribute to the lives of transgender individuals misplaced to violence. The occasion attracts consideration to hate crimes towards the trans neighborhood and the toll transphobia takes on trans and non-binary individuals. It additionally gives an area the place individuals can collect, grieve and collect.

Extra details about GNA may be discovered at https://gnausa.org/

Extra details about Affirmations may be discovered at http://www.goaffirmations.org

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