The annual Transgender Day of Remembrance brought together residents of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on November 20, 2025, to honor the memory of transgender and nonbinary individuals lost to violence and suicide. The event, held at the Wyckoff Center on the campus of Skidmore College, served as both a memorial and an opportunity to educate the community about the ongoing challenges faced by these individuals.
Community Comes Together to Remember
During the ceremony, attendees read the names of 64 individuals who lost their lives in the past year. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of unity and reflection, as Rauch Passaro, a participant in the ceremony, expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “These times are undeniably scary — it’s contentious, but it’s events like this that really underline how these are the things that bind us,” Passaro stated, emphasizing the importance of coming together in such solemn moments.
The ceremony featured a candlelight vigil, along with readings from Rabbi Illana Symons of Temple Sinai and Rev. Jo Urrriola-Shonewolf of Saratoga United Methodist Church. Musical performances, including “Whisper” and “Take Me Down to the Water’s Edge” by Trace Ellis, added a poignant touch to the event.
A Fitting Venue for Remembrance
Mariel Martin, director of the Wyckoff Center, highlighted the significance of the location in fostering community engagement and cross-cultural communication. “The Wyckoff Center is a space to affirm all members of our community, so it feels like a really fitting space to have it,” Martin explained. She emphasized the importance of creating intentional spaces that invite community members to feel seen and validated in their identities.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance has been observed globally since 1999, with local events taking place in Saratoga Springs for the past six years. According to Cindy Swadba, a volunteer with Saratoga Pride, the organization was inspired to host the ceremony after a challenge from a former speaker. “This is a memorial, and it’s also an educational opportunity,” Swadba noted, emphasizing the aim of raising awareness about the experiences of transgender and non-binary individuals.
Swadba hopes attendees left the event with a deeper understanding and a commitment to support the transgender community. “I hope they take away a new understanding and a new peace to be at peace with themselves and certainly with others,” she remarked.
For more information about the Transgender Day of Remembrance and to view the list of names read during the ceremony, individuals can visit https://tdor.translivesmatter.info.
The gathering at Skidmore College not only honored those lost but also reinforced the message of solidarity and support within the community. As Passaro eloquently stated, “I hope those who attend leave with just a little more thoughtfulness, a little more patience and a desire to understand each other.”
