SQ marks Transgender Day of Remembrance

January 10, 2025

Warden Chance Andes speaks to attendees at the second SQ Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Incarcerated residents and staff at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center gathered in Chapel A to commemorate the second Transgender Day of Remembrance.

This poignant observance honors the lives of friends, family, and loved ones lost to violence and suicide within the transgender community.

Warden Chance Andes attended the Nov. 20 event, emphasizing the importance of unity and equality within the community.

“I’m glad to see everyone in the community can get together and represent themselves. This is a good example of equality,” said Warden Andes.

Incarcerated host Cassandra Evans expressed her gratitude to attendees. She also underscored the event’s purpose: raising awareness about the tragic deaths resulting from violence and suicide.

“There will always be challenges when we try to become that beautiful flower that we always wanted to be,” Evans remarked, reflecting on the ongoing struggles faced by the transgender community.

The origins of this memorial date back to 1998, initiated by trans activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith, who launched the “Remembering Our Dead Project” in response to the murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman killed in her Massachusetts apartment. Smith’s efforts honored Hester while also raising awareness for numerous transgender individuals who lost their lives due to trans-phobic violence.

Evans highlighted the significance of remembering those lost.

“We want to honor and bring awareness to the senseless violence that surrounds our community,” Evans said.

Remembering lives lost

Six individuals were honored during the event with biographical accounts shared among attendees: Kitty Monroe, Shannon Boswell, Banko Brown, Michelle Henery, Yella Clark, and Carmen Guerro.

Group of people on a stage at San Quentin for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. — San Quentin incarcerated individuals gather to remember the lives lost in the trans community.

A resident from East Block, once known as San Quentin’s Death Row Unit, took the stage to address the crowd.

She thanked the event’s organizers and shared her personal journey, discussing the challenges faced by those within the transgender community.

“I grew up feeling like I was never enough,” she said, reflecting the emotional struggles many endure.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves as a memorial as well as a call to action to combat violence and discrimination faced by transgender individuals. San Quentin’s incarcerated population remains committed to fostering awareness, acceptance, and equality for all.

The keynote speaker emphasized harmful patterns of negative thinking that contribute to societal attitudes toward transgender individuals.

“We must recognize the alarming realities that many transgender people face, including violence, domestic disputes, sexual assaults, and even murder,” Gordon stated.

A display featuring photographs of trans victims, accompanied by their names, ages, and details of their tragic fates was a powerful tribute. The display served as a reminder of the urgent need for change and understanding within our communities.

Submitted by Lt. G. Berry