The Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed annually on November 20, serves as a moment to honor the lives of transgender and nonbinary individuals lost to violence and suicide. In a heartfelt ceremony held at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., community members gathered to pay tribute to the 64 individuals who died in 2025. This event not only commemorated those lives but also aimed to foster understanding and connection among attendees.
Community Support and Remembrance
During the ceremony, participants read aloud the names of those who had been lost, followed by a profound call and response segment. Rauch Passaro, a member of the local transgender/nonbinary community, expressed gratitude for the support shown at the event. “These times are undeniably scary — it’s contentious, but it’s events like this that really underline how these are the things that bind us,” Passaro remarked. “I hope those who attend leave with just a little more thoughtfulness and a desire to understand each other.”
The event featured a candlelight vigil, which allowed attendees to reflect while listening to readings from Rabbi Illana Symons of Temple Sinai and Rev. Jo Urrriola-Shonewolf of Saratoga United Methodist Church. Musical performances, including “Whisper” and “Take Me Down to the Water’s Edge” by Trace Ellis, added an emotional dimension to the evening.
A Fitting Venue for Reflection
The Wyckoff Center at Skidmore College, which hosted the ceremony, is dedicated to fostering cross-cultural communication and community engagement. Mariel Martin, director of the Wyckoff Center, noted the significance of this location for such a memorial. “Creating a space to say you’re seen and you’re validated in all that you bring to our community is crucial,” Martin stated. “It feels like a really fitting space to have it.”
The Transgender Day of Remembrance has been recognized internationally since 1999, with Saratoga Springs hosting its local event for the past six years. Cindy Swadba, a volunteer with Saratoga Pride, emphasized the importance of this occasion. “This is a memorial, and it’s also an educational opportunity,” Swadba explained. “We gather to remember and to lift our transgender members of this community to show them that we care.”
Swadba hopes that attendees will share their experiences with others, promoting understanding and solidarity within their networks. “I hope they take away a new understanding and a new peace to be at peace with themselves and certainly with others,” she added.
For more information about the Transgender Day of Remembrance and to view the list of names read during the ceremony, visit https://tdor.translivesmatter.info.
The ceremony at Skidmore College highlighted the enduring need for support and recognition of transgender and nonbinary individuals, fostering a collective commitment to understanding and compassion within the wider community.
