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WHEREAS, transgender people come from all walks of life and make up a part of a diverse community, representing all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds; and,
WHEREAS, transgender individuals around the world, in the United States and even Pittsburgh are exposed to widespread social stigma, discrimination, harassment, and physical and sexual abuse; and
WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance began in 1999 as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998, and to raise awareness of hate crimes against trans people; and
WHEREAS, transgender deaths by violence have increased during each of the last three years with 2017 recording the most ever transgender deaths at 29, 2018 with 22 transgender deaths; 2019 with 23 deaths to date and majority trans women of color; and,
WHEREAS, Those deaths that have gone unreported are still a matter of urgency that deserves our attention and intention towards justice; and,
WHEREAS, November 20th, 2019 SisTers PGH and The Advisory Council of Pittsburgh have partnered to host Pittsburgh Transgender Day Of Remembrance; A day that honors the legacy of our trans siblings and what we must in order to protect those that are still here with us today; and,
WHEREAS, Transwomen of color are exposed to discrimination and violence at a higher rate which causes the murders of our sisTers to go unreported and misreported; and,
WHEREAS, Elisha Stanley lost her life in Pittsburgh to soon because of violence and as we mourn and honor her existence we lift up all of those brave souls that chose to live authentically in there truth and glory; and,
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby remember and honor those whose lives were lost to hate crimes, anti-transgender fear, discrimination and violence and reaffirms our commitment to fight transphobia and promote understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that...
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