Rochester area churches are holding events today to remember the 23 transgender people who were killed in the United States this year.
The annual Transgender Day of Remembrance is a world-wide event that started fifteen years ago on the one-year anniversary of the still unsolved murder of a transgender Massachusetts woman, Rita Hester, in 1999.
Scott Fearing of the Gay Alliance says Rochester has a long history of being trans-inclusive in its city and corporate policies and community acceptance.
"So Rochester has, probably outside of New York City, some of the best transgender quality of life that we find in New York State. However, the truth is, we also find even here our transgender citizens do face more bias, discrimination and violence than we may find for the LGB community or others."
There is an all-day vigil today at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church at 707 East Main Street followed by a candle light remembrance and reading of victims’ names at 6:30 p.m.
There is also a candle lighting at Third Presbyterian Church at 4 Meigs Street from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
