Nicole Sandhu, MD, PhD, FACP, FAMWA, president of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), and Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS, president of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality, issue a joint statement for Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, 2020.
Photo courtesy: Aman Shrestha @ Unsplash
Transgender Day of Remembrance was established to memorialize those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. On this national day of remembrance, AMWA) joins with GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality to honor the lives of the 350 transgender individuals around the world who lost their lives this year due to anti-transgender violence.
We recall these individuals by continuing our work as leaders of health professional associations committed to advancing the health and well-being of trans people and calling for an end to the bias and stigma they experience, both within and outside of healthcare settings, which too often lead to violence and murder.
This year, Transgender Day of Remembrance comes at the conclusion of a particularly challenging time for trans communities. In 2020, we saw the ongoing epidemic of murders of Black trans women in the US, compelling us to join in solidarity with Black communities and add our voices to the calls to end racism, racial violence, and police brutality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit trans communities hard, exacerbating pre-existing health disparities. The current political climate has caused an escalating assault on the lives and dignity of trans people. In the face of these attacks, trans communities remain resilient and powerful; AMWA and GLMA vow to remain steadfast advocates for trans equality.
Let us remember the importance of creating safe, welcoming healthcare settings for trans patients and training culturally and clinically competent providers to care for trans communities. We urge healthcare providers to advocate for policies, education, and institutional changes that support the health, well-being, and lives of trans people. And let us never forget the trans people who have lost their lives while we commit to fighting for trans health and lives every day.
