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2018 SESSION

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18105123D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 141 Offered January 19, 2018 Designating November 20, in 2018 and in each succeeding year, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in Virginia. ---------- Patron-- Rodman ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, throughout the Commonwealth and the United States, transgender people face bigotry and discrimination in the course of their everyday lives; and

WHEREAS, a significant number of people in the transgender community have reported being victims of verbal harassment, sexual harassment, or physical assault, including many who have reported harassment or attacks in the workplace; and

WHEREAS, in 2016 and 2017, at least 55 transgender people were killed as a result of violence, including India Monroe of Newport News on December 21, 2016, and Ebony Morgan of Lynchburg on July 2, 2017; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, Gwendolyn Ann Smith organized the first Transgender Day of Remembrance to commemorate the unsolved murder of Rita Hester, a transgender African American woman who was killed in November of the previous year; and

WHEREAS, all Virginians are encouraged to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance by holding or attending vigils, town-hall-style meetings, exhibitions of artwork and photography, and other activities; and

WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance raises much-needed awareness of hate crimes against the transgender community and provides a day to mourn and honor victims by expressing love and respect for all people in the face of hatred; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate November 20, in 2018 and in each succeeding year, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to Gwendolyn Ann Smith, founder of Transgender Day of Remembrance, so that the members and supporters of the transgender community may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assembly's website.