On this Trans Day of Remembrance, I hope that we all can take the time to remember the trans friends, family, and community members we've lost to hate and bigotry. I also hope that we're celebrating their lives, their energy, their joys, the impacts they had on our lives, and the belief that there is still hope that one day we won't have to lay to rest vibrant people who only wanted to live happy lives without hiding their true identities.

There are still fights ahead. There's still work to do. But the fights and the work are worth it because memoriam should come with knowing that lives weren't taken away from us for naught - they are still with us, hand in hand, fighting for a better tomorrow.

None of us is safe if some of us are facing a constant wave of terror for just existing and living freely as who we are.

None of us is free if some of us are in a never-ending battle for rights and privileges that so many of us take for granted.

To my trans friends, family, colleagues, neighbors: you are loved. You are worthy of love. You deserve the right to exist without danger and bigotry hanging over your heads.

And fighting for you is and will always be worth it.