Transgender Day of Remembrance Resolution

Anchorage Assembly Recognizes Native Movement’s Work for Trans Rights in Transgender Day of Remembrance Resolution

On November 18, 2025, the Anchorage Municipal Assembly passed Resolution AR 2025-342, formally recognizing November 20, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance. In a significant acknowledgment of community organizing and advocacy, the resolution specifically names Native Movement as one of the organizations “working tirelessly to restore and expand basic human rights, health services, and safety for transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people across the state.”

Native Movement Board Director Oliver Tyrrell accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization, delivering a powerful statement about the significance of this recognition for the trans and gender expansive community.

A Resolution Born from Tragedy, A Call for Justice

The resolution traces its origins to 1998, when the brutal murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman, and the lack of justice in her case moved trans advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to establish Transgender Day of Remembrance. The day honors Rita Hester’s memory and all transgender individuals whose lives have been lost to anti-transgender violence.

The 2025 resolution acknowledges a stark reality: in 2024 alone, at least 36 transgender or gender non-conforming people in the United States died by violent means, with many cases likely unreported or misreported. BIPOC transgender women comprised a disproportionate number of those lost to this ongoing epidemic of violence.

“Violence against transgender people, particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latina transgender women of color, is a systemic and societal issue that we must collectively commit to acknowledging and ending,” the resolution states.

Alaska’s Fight for Basic Protections

The resolution also highlights a concerning gap in civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Alaskans. While federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Alaska’s Human Rights Statute currently provides limited protections. The Alaska State Commission for Human Rights has narrowed its enforcement, now only investigating employment-related complaints and removing broader protections from its public guidance. This leaves LGBTQ+ Alaskans vulnerable in areas such as housing, public accommodations, and government services.

In this context, the Assembly’s recognition of Native Movement’s work—alongside Identity Alaska and Choosing Our Roots—takes on additional significance. These organizations are filling critical gaps, fighting to restore and expand rights that should be guaranteed to all Alaskans.

Reaffirming Existence and Dignity: Statement by Native Movement Board Director Oliver Tyrrell

When accepting the proclamation, Oliver Tyrrell spoke to both personal and collective meaning:

“Receiving this is an honor and recognizes both my journey and the strength of the broader trans community and gender expansive community. It’s important because it reaffirms our existence, highlights our contributions, and reminds the world that transgender people and gender nonconforming people deserve safety, dignity, and visibility every day. This acknowledgement helps to create more of an inclusive future where all trans voices and all voices are heard and valued.”

Gratitude to Assembly Champions

Native Movement extends deep gratitude to the Assembly members who submitted this resolution and both championed and voted for its passage:

• Vice-Chair Anna Brawley

• Erin Baldwin Day

• Zachary Johnson

• George Martinez

• Kameron Perez-Verdia

• Felix Rivera

The resolution was also supported by Assembly Chair Constant, Assembly Members Silvers and Volland, and Mayor LaFrance.

Our Commitment Continues

This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue fighting for the safety, dignity, and full humanity of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive people across Alaska. Native Movement remains committed to building a future where all people, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, and communities of color who face disproportionate violence, can live freely and safely as their authentic selves.

As the resolution affirms: “We recognize and honor the bravery and resilience of Anchorage’s transgender and gender expansive community and advocate for the equal treatment, safety, respect and dignity that they deserve.”

Today we remember those we have lost. Tomorrow we continue the fight for justice.