People gathered on campus Wednesday evening to grieve the loss of those who have been murdered due to transphobia.

The event, Transgender Day of Remembrance, was held in the Erickson Kiva where students and other community members gathered to memorialize transgender people who have died by suicide or murder, and cisgender people killed as a direct result of transphobic violence in the past year.

Transgender Day of Remembrance occurs annually and was started 25 years ago in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed the year prior. 

The event was presented in partnership with the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, The Alliance of Queer and Allied Students, Women*s Council, Salus Center, TransAction, MSU Libraries, Associated Students of Michigan State University and the Center for Gender in Global Context.

Oprah Jrenal, assistant director for the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, gave opening remarks. She said that transgender people have existed in all communities, cultures and countries since the beginning of time, and will continue to do so.

"Trans people have been here and will continue to be here," Jrenal said.

She explained that this day serves as a space to build community and awareness about the realities and persistence of anti-trans violence.

"We stand here today, 25 years later, with a similar drive to honor, remember, respect and grieve those who have died in this way," Jrenal said.

She said Black transgender women are especially vulnerable in their community, with them being a significant portion of those who were grieved Wednesday night.

"Transphobia has been extremely linked to racism," Jrenal said.