CARRBORO, N.C. – Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 to be Transgender Day of Remembrance in Carrboro.
The proclamation was received by Town of Carrboro transportation planner and trans woman Becca Eversole-Robinson, who during the Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, addressed the Council and members of the public:
“Since my transition journey began, I’ve struggled to find a safe space, a place I felt at home. Carrboro has become that home, that safe space, but even a safe space isn’t perfect. There are far too many dark corners of the world where it’s dangerous to be trans.. The Day of Remembrance honors the lives of trans people lost to violence, but one day, may we no longer have to mourn those we’ve lost but instead celebrate our joy.”
The proclamation notes the rapid rollback of the rights of transgender Americans in the past year, with restrictions at the federal level such as serving in the armed forces, obtaining a passport or visa with an accurate gender marker, limiting federal funding to be used for transgender healthcare, and in the case of transgender youth, attempting to ban transgender healthcare altogether.
Around the world, many countries make it illegal for transgender people to live as their authentic selves.
The United States has one of the highest rates of murder of transgender people, particularly for women of color. In 2022, at least 32 transgender people were killed because of hate, fear and violent attacks. In 2023, at least 35 transgender were killed, and sadly so far in 2024, 25 transgender or gender non-conforming people have been fatally shot or killed by other violent means, the majority of which were Black and Latinx.
There is significant incidence of misgendering or misnaming transgender victims of crime in police reports, indicating that the number of transgender victims of violence and murder is likely far higher than what is officially reported. Local law enforcement is not required to, and frequently fails to, report hate crimes, including murder, specific to the LGBT community.
According to the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey, published by the National Center for Transgender Equality, North Carolina is in the top 10 states from which respondents moved because of state laws targeting transgender people for unequal treatment.
Transgender Americans are making historic progress, highlighted by nondiscrimination laws enacted in several states and an increasing number of transgender elected officials, signaling greater public support for transgender equality and respect for their contributions to society. Congress and the executive branch must follow suit and act to protect and preserve the lives of transgender individuals through inclusive legislation.
The Town of Carrboro urges all residents to reflect on the challenges facing the transgender members of our community, and to work to ensure that social, cultural, and legislative progress continue to be made so that all people can safely live as their true selves.
Read the full proclamation: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions