Clockwise: Nekia, Cienna, and Devine

Transgender Day of Remembrance: Interviewing Cienna, Devine, and Nekia

By: Dennis Richmond, Jr.

Every November 20th, people across the United States observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), a day dedicated to honoring trans folx whose lives have been lost to violence. For many, the observance is a time to reflect on the violence that continues to affect transgender communities. Especially the Black Trans Community. For others, it brings back painful memories of friends and loved ones who are no longer here. I recently spoke with three trans women, Devine Bey, Cienna Rose, and Nekia Zulu, about what this day means to them, the people they remember, and why keeping their memories alive matters.

Transgender Day of Remembrance began in 1999 when transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith organized a remembrance following the 1998 murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman from Massachusetts. More than 25 years later, the observance continues to draw attention to violence against transgender and gender-nonconforming people. According to the Human Rights Campaign’s 2025 report, at least 27 transgender and gender-nonconforming people were killed through violence during its reporting period. Black transgender women continue to account for a disproportionate share of documented victims.

For Devine Bey, this year’s observance comes after several heartbreaking losses. “This year has been especially difficult for me. I’ve experienced the loss of five people, four of whom were transgender or of trans experience,” Bey shared. She explained that Transgender Day of Remembrance is about more than grieving. It is also about celebrating the lives people lived, remembering what they meant to others, and speaking up for those who experienced mistreatment. “Megan, Sophie, Amaya, Ethan — we say your names, we remember your names, and we carry your lives forward through our own,” she said. For Bey, remembering those who have passed is one way of making sure their lives and experiences are never forgotten.

Cienna Rose spoke about the importance of remembering transgender history and the women whose lives helped pave the way for future generations. “Transgender Day of Remembrance is important to me because it honors the triumphs, resilience, and contributions of the trans women who came before us, allowing their legacies to live on through generations.” Her perspective is a reminder that the lives of transgender women should not be remembered only for how they ended. Their accomplishments, contributions, and the impact they had on the people around them deserve recognition as well. Although the observance focuses on those lost to violence, it also creates an opportunity to reflect on the lives they lived and the communities they helped shape.

For Nekia Zulu, Transgender Day of Remembrance has taken on a much deeper meaning following the loss of her sister, Amaya. “Losing my sister Amaya has made the names we speak, the candles we light, and the lives we honor painfully personal,” Zulu explained. “Behind every name is a person who was loved, a family forever changed, and a future that deserved to be lived.” Her words speak to the grief that families and friends continue to experience long after the headlines disappear and public attention moves elsewhere. For those who have lost someone they love, the pain does not end when a memorial service is over or when another November 20 passes.

Speaking with Devine, Cienna, and Nekia reminds me that Transgender Day of Remembrance is about much more than statistics and headlines. It is about real people, their families, their accomplishments, and the memories they leave behind. As November 20 approaches, their experiences remind us of the importance of remembering those who are no longer with us while also showing love, respect, and support to transgender people who are here today. We should not have to lose someone before recognizing the value of their life. Honoring someone should begin while they are still here to experience it.

Dennis Richmond, Jr. (@NewYorkStakz) is a journalist, historian, and educator from Yonkers, NY. He writes to uplift unheard voices, honor history, and inspire change.