Olympia, WA - Upon request from the WA State LGBTQ Commission, Governor Jay Inslee signed a ceremonial proclamation recognizing November 20th as Trans Day of Remembrance in Washington State. The text of the proclamation is below.
Ceremonial proclamations are issued upon the request of state or community organizations. Although they are ceremonial, proclamations like this one reaffirm the administration's commitment to ensuring that Washington continues being a safe place for 2SLGBTQIA people.
---
Whereas, Washington State recognizes that one of its greatest strengths is the diversity of its people; and
Whereas, Washington State has a long standing tradition of upholding the dignity of the individual, supporting equal treatment for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and ensuring that acts of discrimination and hatred will not be tolerated; and
Whereas, members of the transgender community contribute to the growing diversity and prosperity of our state; and
Whereas, transgender persons, particularly transgender people of color, continue to face high levels of discrimination, stigma, and bias that can fuel abuse and violence against this community; and
Whereas, Washington State embraces all persons, and Washingtonians uphold our shared values of dignity, equality, and fair treatment for everyone by ensuring that acts of violence toward transgender persons are not tolerated; and
Whereas, this year the Legislature passed and I signed several pieces of legislation expanding protections for transgender Washingtonians such as expanding protections for gender-affirming care for all transgender people regardless of age, and support for youth and young adults seeking protected health care services in our state, and
Whereas, Transgender Day of Remembrance helps bring public awareness to anti-transgender hate crimes and honors the memory of those hurt and killed by acts of anti-transgender violence each year; and
Whereas, Washingtonians are encouraged to observe this day and to honor the lives we have lost because of senseless violence against transgender people, as we move forward together in the promotion of acceptance and understanding;
Now, therefore, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim November 20, 2023
Transgender Day of Remembrance
in Washington, and I encourage all people in our state to join in honoring the lives of transgender people lost to violence by promoting inclusion and equal protection under the law, and I further encourage people to join me in eliminating discriminatory policies and practices toward any culture, race, or group.
