Transgender Day of Remembrance was marked at the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex Nov. 20, 2024 (Commonwealth Media Services photo)
Editor’s note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. Press 3 after calling for LGBTQ+ support, or text “PRIDE.” There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
Pennsylvania officials gathered at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It was a means of memorializing transgender Americans and Pennsylvanians who died by violence or suicide in the past year.
“As a trans and non-binary person, I’m always sad to be a part of these events,” said Ashleigh Strange, the executive director for the governor’s advisory commission on LGBTQ affairs, but I’m always proud to be part of this community and it gives me hope to know there are people at every level of government standing up for my community.”
President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on restricting rights for transgender people and rolling back civil rights protections for trans youth specifically. He often used inflammatory rhetoric when discussing transgender issues during his campaign, flooding the airwaves with anti-transgender advertisements in the last weeks of the race.
Just after Wednesday’s event, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced a ban on transgender people using bathrooms for the gender they identify with. It was a move apparently targeted at the first openly transgender congressperson, Rep-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware.
U.S. House Speaker Johnson bans trans women from women’s bathrooms at the Capitol
Officials from the Shapiro administration and the Pennsylvania state legislature urged their constituents to maintain courage and resolve, and promised to protect transgender Pennsylvanians, regardless of the posture of the federal government.
“I know this community knows more than most what it means to be resolute in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles,” said Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. “Please know I stand with you. I am committed to working with you to create a more equitable commonwealth.”
Officials and legislators were joined by Malinda Clatterbuck, a Lancaster County resident whose son, Ashton Clatterbuck, took his own life earlier this year.
Malinda Clatterbuck said her son was a “big hearted, compassionate, empathetic, get-things-done, goofy, fun loving human being.”
He was an active advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, climate issues, and more. He had even volunteered on Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El’s (D-Lancaster) campaign. Smith-Wade-El is a member of the LGBTQ+ equality caucus, and one of few openly queer lawmakers.
“I’m certain that this incredible human being is no longer with us because our society failed him,” Malinda Clatterbuck said. She said her son was alarmed by anti-trans policies springing up in schools and legislatures around the country.
“He so clearly saw and felt that these bully policies were born out of bigotry and inevitably lead to the marginalization, dehumanization, violence and even death of trans people,” she added.
According to Strange, 371 transgender and gender nonconforming people lost their lives to violence globally in the last year. Sixty-three were in the United States, and four were in Pennsylvania. Strange said that figure was based only on the data available, and likely misses those who were not open, or had their identities hidden by their families after their deaths.
Smith-Wade-El pointed to the need for lawmakers to act to protect Pennsylvania’s transgender community. In particular, he urged lawmakers to pass the Fairness Act, which would codify protections for LGBTQ+ people in the state’s anti-discrimination laws. The bill passed the Democrat-controlled House in May, but was not taken up in the Republican-controlled Senate. Smith-Wade-El said he hopes it will pass the House again in the next legislative session
Arkoosh pointed out that the current Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission already acts on this interpretation of the law, but that could be changed with a different board. Members are appointed by the governor and approved in the Senate.
Smith-Wade-El acknowledged it may be difficult to get some bills aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ people specifically through the Republican-controlled Senate. But he said there are other, more generalized policies that could help. That includes passing bills to protect homeless youth. According to the Trevor Project,38% of transgender women and 39% of transgender boys will experience homelessness. Smith-Wade-El also urged adequate funding for the Dept. of Health and Human Services.”
“We can protect people just by making sure that the resources are there, and they’re not politicized,” he told the Capital-Star.
Smith-Wade-El also pointed to a bill he has sponsored ensuring transgender and non-binary students have access to inclusive bathrooms and locker rooms
“Transgender people have always been here, will always be here and deserve to live and thrive as their authentic selves,” Strange said.
To connect to a crisis counselor at the Trevor Project call 1-866-488-7386 to talk or text START to 678-678.
Trans Lifeline provides support to trans people in crisis. Call 1-877-565-8860.