For Immediate Release: November 6, 2024
Contact:
Sisters PGH
Ciora Thomas
ciora.thomas@sisterspgh.org
412-961-4321
Black Liberation Autonomous Collective (BLAC)
Saint-Osei Valentino
blac.swpa@gmail.com
412-609-5284
(Pittsburgh, PA) — As the nation faces increasing challenges for marginalized communities, Sisters PGH and Black Liberation Autonomous Collective (BLAC) invite allies, supporters, and community members to join us for Trans Day of Remembrance 2024. This annual event will take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, [insert location here], as we come together in solidarity to honor the lives of transgender individuals lost to violence and systemic oppression.
This year’s Trans Day of Remembrance is especially critical as we enter a political climate marked by renewed threats to civil liberties and equality under the Trump administration. In times like these, it is vital to affirm our commitment to the transgender community, particularly Black and Brown trans individuals who bear the brunt of violence and discrimination.
The event will feature a candlelight vigil, community reflections, and spoken tributes to honor the memory of those whose lives were taken too soon. It will also serve as a rallying cry to galvanize action, deepen solidarity, and support ongoing efforts to protect and uplift the most vulnerable among us.
“Trans Day of Remembrance is not just about mourning our losses; it’s about standing in solidarity, raising awareness, and committing to the fight for justice and liberation,” said Ciora Thomas, Executive Director of Sisters PGH]. “Now more than ever, we need our allies, supporters, and broader communities to show up and take action.”
Black Liberation Autonomous Collective (BLAC), co-host of the event, emphasizes the urgency of collective action:
“This is a moment to honor the resilience of the trans community while uniting against policies and ideologies that threaten our existence,” said Saint Mcledon, co-founder of BLAC. “Together, we have the power to resist oppression and build a world where all people, regardless of gender identity, can live free from fear.”
We call on allies, supporters, and everyone who stands with the trans community to join us for this important evening. Let’s demonstrate that Pittsburgh remains a beacon of resistance, hope, and solidarity in the face of oppression.
Event Details:
What: Trans Day of Remembrance 2024
When: Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: SisTers PGH Trans Resource Center - 2014 Monongahela Ave Swissvale PA 15218
Who: Hosted by Black Liberation Autonomous Collective (BLAC) & SisTers PGH
Donate to Support BLAC SWPA through this link
Venmo: @blac_swpa
Donate to SisTers PGH through this link
CashApp: $isTersPGH
Venmo: SisTers-PGH
This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring candles for the vigil. For additional information, accessibility needs, or media inquiries, please contact our organizations at the information above.
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Sisters PGH is a Black and trans-led organization providing housing, resources, and advocacy for trans communities in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Philadelphia County. For over a decade, Sisters PGH has empowered trans individuals to live with dignity and thrive. Learn more at www.sisterspgh.org.
About SisTers PGH:
SisTers PGH is a Black and trans-led nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, PA, founded by Ciora Thomas, that has been serving the community for 14 years. Dedicated to providing safe housing, resources, and support to the transgender and nonbinary communities, SisTers PGH is trusted, respected, and highly resourced by trans people in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The organization operates several programs, including Project T, Monica Roberts Place, and the Trans Resource Center, with a mission to uplift and empower the most marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
About Black Liberation Autonomous Collective (BLAC):
Black Liberation Autonomous Collective (BLAC) is a grassroots organization committed to the liberation of Black communities, centering queer and trans people in the fight for justice, equity, and freedom from systemic oppression.
Let us come together on November 20th to honor lives lost, resist injustice, and build a future rooted in love, equity, and liberation.