HARRISBURG, PA – This afternoon, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs joined the Department of Human Services, the Legislative LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, and fellow Pennsylvanians to remember the 63 transgender Americans, including four Pennsylvanians, who have lost their lives due to acts of violence this past year.
November 20 is the internationally recognized Trans Day of Remembrance. To memorialize those who lost their lives this year, the Governor’s Advisory Commission placed 63 flags on the South Lawn of the Irvis Office Building.
“As a trans, non-binary person I am always sad to be a part of these events, but it gives me hope to know that there are people at every level of government standing up for my community. It will take all of us to do the work together to end transphobia and anti-LGBTQ hatred right here in the Commonwealth.” said Ashleigh Strange, Executive Director, Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to ending this cycle of violence in our communities, and we are heartened by some of the progress we’ve made to ensure that LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians in our communities are cared for and protected.”
The Commission brought together legislators, community advocates, local LGBT centers across the Commonwealth, violence prevention organizations, and families of Pennsylvanians who lives were lost in a solemn remembrance of the transgender Pennsylvanians whose lives were lost in the past year due to acts of violence. The Pennsylvanians being honored today include – Ashton Myles Clatterbuck and River Paige Olmstead of Lancaster County, Pauly Likens of Mercer County, and Cris Velazquez of Philadelphia County.
The Shapiro Administration is committed to honoring those lives lost and building a Commonwealth that is warm and welcoming for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, or who they love. Governor Shapiro has repeatedly called for the passage of the Fairness Act, a nondiscrimination law that ensures that LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians are ensured equal protection under the law.
For more information on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Substack.
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