CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The First Capital Pride Coalition is hosting a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, November 20th, at 6:00 PM in front of the Ross County Courthouse, located at 2 N Paint St, in honor of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The annual observance pays tribute to those who have lost their lives to transphobia and violence.
Organizers describe the vigil as a time to remember lives lost and to show support for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
“While everyone is welcome, we are specifically reaching out to allies to stand with us. Your presence not only honors the memory of those we’ve lost but also helps ensure the safety and support of the LGBTQ community members in attendance,” said one organizer.
Each year in the United States, transgender individuals face severe risks of fatal violence and suicide, driven in part by widespread discrimination and insufficient support systems. According to the Human Rights Campaign, an estimated 25 to 50 transgender people are killed annually in violent incidents, though advocates warn that this likely underestimates the full scale of the crisis due to frequent misidentification in police records and underreporting. In 2022 alone, at least 38 transgender individuals were reported killed across the U.S., many in targeted attacks motivated by transphobia.
Transgender youth, in particular, also experience alarming rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. A 2023 survey from The Trevor Project found that over 50% of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide, with 18-20% reporting an attempt within the previous year. These findings highlight the increased vulnerability of transgender individuals, as stigma and limited mental health resources contribute to their struggles. While exact data on suicide deaths among transgender people remains challenging to capture, experts believe the true numbers are disproportionately high.