Find events throughout Illinois and Iowa to honor the Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual recognition started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor her friend Rita Hester, a transgender woman from Boston killed in 1998. You can also learn more about TDOR’s history and significance here.
November–December
Nov 17 (4 events)
11:00 am • Transgender Day of Remembrance Service • Chicago
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Nov 17
United Church of Hyde Park and PFLAG Tinley Park leads this gathering to honor transgender people lost to violence and to stand against "stigma, discrimination, and violence."
11:00 am • What Can We Learn From a Sissy? • Davenport–
Nov 17
Pastor Rich Hendricks asks this question to lead MCC of the Quad Cities' honoring of the Transgender Day of Remembrance Nov. 20.
6:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance • Aurora–
Nov 17
Gather with Hope United Church of Christ and the Aurora LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, an official panel of the city of Aurora, for an evening of celebration.
7:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance • DeKalb–
Nov 17
Grace Place Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University leads this ceremony to honor transgender and gender non-conforming people lost to violence and transphobia. This event will also feature the choir from Salem Lutheran Church in Sycamore.Nov 19 (1 event)
6:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil • Oskaloosa–
Nov 19
PFLAG Oskaloosa and the city of Oskaloosa team up for this vigil to honor those lost to transgender violence. Refreshments to follow at Smokey Row.
Nov 20 (8 events)
2:30 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance • Olney–
Nov 20
Pride Richland County invites you to a three-part recognition of the Transgender Day of Celebration. Start by helping to clean up Haven Hill Cemetery, then honor those lost with a vigil at the Carle Fitness Trail at Olney City Park, nd end the day with a Thanksgiving meal at the Olney Memorial VFW Post 4226. You don't have to attend all three events to participate in one. Email Pride Richland County with questions.5:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil • Ames–
Nov 20
College Presbyterian Church and its college ministry group, The Vine, lead this gathering of prayer, reflection and a vigil honoring those lost to anti-transgender violence. You're asked to "hold space" throughout the day.
5:30 pm • Trans Day of Remembrance • Urbana–
Nov 20
The UP Center of Champaign County and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign team up for this annual honoring of trans' community member lost.
6:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance • Springfield–
Nov 20
Join with the Phoenix Center, Springfield's LGBTQ+ community center, to honor trans' people lost in 2024.
Out on 2nd6:30 pm • In Solidarity and Love: A Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil • East Peoria–
Nov 20
Gather with the River City Rainbow Collective, a peer support group for LGBTQ+ central Illinoisans, at a gathering to honor and remember those transgender community members lost to violence.
6:45 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil • Peoria–
Nov 20
Honor transgender people lost to violence in this collaboration between Peoria Proud and Imago Dei Church.7:00 pm • Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil • Carbondale–
Nov 20
Event is held jointly for the Carbondale community and SIU campus.Honor trans' community members lost to violence, in this event coordinated by Gaia House, the Downstate Illinois Trans Organization, and the Paulette Curkin Pride Resource Center at SIU.
7:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance • Grayslake–
Nov 20
Gather with the LGBTQ+ Center Lake County and the Lake County Health Department to honor transgender family lost to violence over the past year. Please pre-register here to attend.Nov 21 (1 event)
6:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgiving • Chicago–
Nov 21
Bring your favorite dish and be ready to dance and celebrate. Also featuring story-telling, performances, and speakers. RSVP here.
Nov 22 (1 event)
6:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance Service, Social Hour and Provider Panel • Peoria–
Nov 22
Peoria Proud hosts a healthcare provider panel as part of its Transgender Day of Remembrance collaboration with Imago Dei Church. To submit your question for panel participants, click here.
Nov 23 (1 event)
5:00 pm • Transgender Celebration of Life • Burlington–
Nov 23
Skagit Queer will provide meat and vegan chili, rolls, stuffed animals, crafts and more to celebrate transgender life. All ages welcome.Nov 24 (1 event)
2:00 pm • Transgender Day of Remembrance • Decatur–
Nov 24
Gather in "our shared humanity" to honor transgender people lost, in this non-sectarian and non-religious event.
