Each year on November 20, people around the world observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)—a solemn occasion honoring the lives of transgender and gender-diverse individuals lost to anti-transgender violence.

This day calls for both remembrance and action. While we mourn those taken too soon, we must also work toward a world where every person can live safely and authentically.

At Monte Nido, we recognize the importance of this day not only as a moment of reflection but as a call to foster inclusion, safety, and healing. Our programs are rooted in gender-affirming, trauma-informed care, offering clients of all gender identities a space where their truth is honored and their recovery is supported with compassion and respect.

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What Is Transgender Day of Remembrance?

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was founded in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman whose murder in 1998 sparked a movement to recognize anti-transgender violence.

Since then, TDOR has become a global day of mourning, reflection, and advocacy, uniting communities in remembrance and solidarity. The day serves to:

• Honor the lives of transgender individuals lost to violence

• Raise awareness of the discrimination and barriers faced by transgender people

• Foster visibility and inclusion across communities and systems

Today, TDOR stands as part of a broader global movement for equality, safety, and mental health awareness.

For additional information, visit the Human Rights Campaign’s TDOR page or GLAAD’s Transgender Awareness resources.

Why TDOR Matters for Mental Health and Healing

For many in the transgender community, Transgender Day of Remembrance is both an emotional and empowering day—a space to honor loss, hold grief, and find collective strength.

But TDOR also calls attention to the mental health impact of systemic discrimination and transphobia. The transgender community faces:

• Higher rates of trauma, harassment, and social rejection

• Increased risk for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eating disorders

• Limited access to affirming mental health and medical care

• Ongoing exposure to stigma and violence that erodes safety and belonging

Chronic marginalization can create a cycle of fear and isolation that impacts both mental and physical health. However, the resilience of transgender communities worldwide also speaks to enduring hope and courage.

TDOR reminds us that remembrance must evolve into action. By expanding access to gender-affirming care, supporting inclusive policies, and fostering safe spaces, we can honor those lost while uplifting those living.

Learn more about our affirming care for LGBTQIA+

Understanding the Link Between Gender Identity and Eating Disorders

The relationship between gender identity and eating disorders is complex and often rooted in the experience of gender dysphoria, trauma, and social pressure. For many transgender and nonbinary individuals, food and body control become ways to manage distress or reclaim autonomy in a world that invalidates their identity.

Common contributing factors include:

• Gender dysphoria: using food restriction, bingeing, or exercise to suppress or alter gendered body features

• Social stigma: facing rejection or invalidation from family, peers, or healthcare systems

• Cultural ideals: pressure to conform to binary standards of beauty and gender presentation

• Barriers to care: limited access to providers who understand both eating disorders and transgender health

Without affirming care, these experiences can intensify shame, secrecy, and self-blame.

At Monte Nido, clinicians approach recovery by validating identity and addressing both emotional and physical needs. Our gender-informed treatment model integrates:

• Trauma-informed therapies

• Affirming nutrition education

• Compassionate support for gender expression and transition-related goals

This approach allows clients to heal in a space that celebrates authenticity and rebuilds trust in both food and body.

Creating Safety Through Gender-Informed Eating Disorder Treatment

Safety and affirmation are the foundations of recovery. At Monte Nido, gender-informed care ensures that every client’s identity is respected in both language and practice.

Our approach emphasizes:

• Inclusive, trauma-informed environments designed to reduce shame and promote belonging

• Ongoing staff training in gender diversity, pronoun use, and affirming communication

• Integrated clinical collaboration between therapists, dietitians, and medical teams

• Individualized treatment planning that considers dysphoria, trauma, and transition-related needs

Programs across Monte Nido’s network—including residential, day, and virtual levels of care—are structured to ensure that every person, regardless of gender identity, receives compassionate, evidence-based support.

Clients experience:

• Affirming spaces that welcome all gender expressions

• Peer and group sessions fostering visibility and connection

• Collaborative coordination with external providers for continuity of care

Healing begins when clients feel safe to be themselves.

Honoring Trans Lives on TDOR Through Advocacy and Awareness

Transgender Day of Remembrance invites both mourning and movement. To honor those lost, we can transform grief into advocacy and awareness.

Ways to observe and support include:

• Attending or supporting local TDOR vigils and memorials

• Donating to trans-led organizations providing crisis and legal aid

• Sharing educational resources about transgender mental health and inclusion

• Amplifying transgender voices through storytelling, art, or community dialogue

This day also carries emotional weight, especially for those directly impacted by anti-trans violence. It’s essential to care for yourself and others—through connection, rest, and compassion.

At Monte Nido, we join in remembrance and in action, honoring the courage of every transgender person who continues to live authentically.

Supporting Transgender Individuals Beyond TDOR

Support for the transgender community must extend beyond one day of remembrance. Every interaction, workplace policy, and clinical setting can either reinforce stigma or build inclusion.

Ongoing allyship looks like:

• Listening and learning: allowing transgender individuals to define their own experiences

• Challenging bias: interrupting discrimination wherever it occurs

• Advocating for access: ensuring inclusive healthcare and mental health resources

• Fostering visibility: using platforms to celebrate trans voices and success stories

Monte Nido’s commitment to inclusive, gender-informed eating disorder treatment spans every level of care. Our clinicians are trained to recognize the intersections of identity, body image, and trauma while creating environments where all clients feel seen and supported.

By extending compassion and education year-round, we build communities that protect, affirm, and uplift transgender individuals long after TDOR ends.

Remember, Reflect, and Recommit

On Transgender Day of Remembrance, we pause to remember those whose lives were cut short by violence and hate. We reflect on the courage of those who continue to live authentically despite fear and discrimination.

But remembrance alone is not enough. We must recommit to action—by advocating for inclusion, standing against injustice, and nurturing environments where every person can heal and thrive.

At Monte Nido, we believe healing begins where every individual is seen, respected, and valued. As we honor those we’ve lost, we also hold space for hope—the hope of a future where compassion, safety, and equality guide every act of care.

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