Atlanta to hold vigil for transgender people killed in hate crimes

People gather around a giant rainbow flag at the start of the 49th Annual Pride Festival and Parade in Atlanta Sunday, Oct 13, 2019.  STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Credit: Steve Schaefer

People gather around a giant rainbow flag at the start of the 49th Annual Pride Festival and Parade in Atlanta Sunday, Oct 13, 2019. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

The city of Atlanta is holding an inaugural event Wednesday to honor transgender people killed this year due to hate crimes, mass murders or while incarcerated.

A Transgender Remembrance Day vigil will be held at the Atlanta City Hall Atrium at 7 p.m. A reception will be held at 6:15 p.m. The vigil coincides with national events that will also honor transgender people.

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At least 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed in 2019, according to an annual report on anti-transgender violence released by the Human Rights Campaign. None of the deaths listed in the report occurred in Georgia, however 68% of the victims lived in the South. The Human Rights Campaign bills itself as the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization.

Wednesday’s event will have several guest speakers, including representatives from the Georgia ACLU, Georgia Equality, and the Trans Housing Atlanta Program. Names of the victims will also be read at the vigil.

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