Transgender Awareness Month: Honoring Legacy, Service, and Resilience
By Gus Hernandez
Transgender Awareness Month, observed every November, is a time to honor the lives, legacies, and resilience of transgender and nonbinary people. At The San Diego LGBT Community Center, this month is a period of reflection and remembrance and a celebration of the vibrancy, strength, and resilience that defines our trans community.
This year, The Center’s programming is rooted in visibility, intersectionality, and reverence for our transcestors who have paved the way. The Center will host a series of events that uplift, honor, commemorate, and celebrate the trans and nonbinary community.
Col. Bree Fram (she/her) at the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Ceremony
On Thursday, November 6, The Center will host the annual LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony, a cherished tradition that recognizes LGBTQ+ veterans who have served with distinction and courage. This year, 10 inductees will join the ranks of LGBTQ+ veterans recognized for their contributions, including Ashley Tatum (she/her), Jeff Hall (he/him), Jennifer P. K. Jow (she/her), Joe Zilvinskis (he/him), Michael Rolfe Zarbo (he/him), Miguel Hernandez (he/him), Nat Kapp (they/them), Ray Moore (he/him), Todd Andrew Nelms (he/him), and Tom Rummel (he/him).
The Veterans Wall of Honor Advisory Council is deeply honored to welcome Colonel Bree Fram as a special guest speaker for this event. Bree Fram is the highest-ranking openly transgender officer in the U.S. armed forces. Her presence at this year’s ceremony is especially poignant, as she is currently on leave due to the federal administration’s ongoing anti-trans policies. Her story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to service, even in the face of systemic discrimination. Her voice is a powerful reminder that trans people have always been part of our nation’s history, and they deserve to be recognized, respected, and protected.
The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor, located in The Center’s auditorium, is the first memorial of its kind in the nation. It stands as a testament to the bravery of LGBTQ+ service members and the progress we continue to fight for. This year’s ceremony will be a moment of reflection, pride, and solidarity.
Celebrating the Life of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (she/her)
On Friday, November 14, The Center will host a special Celebration of Life of Miss Major Griffin Gracy, followed by a screening of MAJOR!, the award-winning documentary chronicling the life and activism of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a Black trans elder, activist, and icon who passed away earlier this year.
Miss Major was a veteran of the Stonewall uprising, a tireless advocate for incarcerated trans women, and a beloved matriarch of the movement. Her legacy is immeasurable, and her impact continues to ripple through generations of trans activists and organizers.
The event will be hosted by Tracie Jada O’Brien (she/her) and Black Services and Project TRANS at The Center, reflecting the intersectional nature of Miss Major’s work and the communities she championed.
Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20
On Thursday, November 20, The Center will co-host Transgender Day of Remembrance, a solemn observance that honors the memory of transgender and nonbinary people whose lives were taken by anti-trans violence. The event is in collaboration with Project TRANS at The Center, San Diego Pride, Lambda Archives, Transgender Health & Wellness Center, Bears of San Diego, Trans Chorus, and others.
We will honor the memory of dozens of trans individuals—many of them Black and Brown trans women—whose lives were lost to violence this year simply for living authentically. The event will take place at The Center from 6-8 p.m.
TDOR is a day of reflection, but it is also a call to action. It reminds us that transphobia is deadly, and that our collective liberation depends on dismantling the systems that perpetuate hate.
The candlelight vigil will include space for community healing. All allies, advocates, and community members are invited to join in standing against violence and affirming the dignity of every trans life.
Reflection, Celebration, and Defiance
Transgender Awareness Month is about visibility and truth. It’s about telling the stories that need to be told, honoring the lives that have been lost, and celebrating the joy and brilliance of trans people in our community.
This month, join in reflection, celebration, and defiance, as we stand up against anti-trans policies and rhetoric. Attend an event. Learn a name. Share a story. Speak out against hate. And most importantly, uplift and protect our trans siblings.
Because honoring trans lives means committing to a future where every trans person can live freely and safely.