Transgender Day of Remembrance & Resilience

Join Bull Run Unitarian Universalists, in partnership with Equality Prince William and Fauquier Pride, for an evening of remembrance, reflection, and community as we honor Transgender Day of Remembrance—a sacred time to hold close the memory of transgender and gender-diverse people lost to anti-transgender violence this past year.

This year’s gathering is centered on Remembrance and Resilience.

Together, we create a compassionate space to mourn, reflect, and uplift the strength of our transgender community.

## What to Expect

The sanctuary will be prepared with symbolic light:

• Battery-powered tea lights representing every life lost worldwide in 2025.
• Wick candles that participants may light in remembrance during the service.

Our program includes:

• Gathering music and a grounding moment with the singing bowl
• Opening words and chalice lighting
• A reading by Cameron Martin, “The Chariot,” an original piece
• Communal singing of How Could Anyone
• A candle-lighting ritual honoring the lives lost
• A moment of silence and shared breath
• Reading of the names, accompanied by visual remembrance
• A powerful reflection on transition, identity, and healing from Hannah Quinn Painter
• An invitation for personal testimonies
• Musical offering of Imagine by BRUU musicians
• A closing responsive reading of We Remember Them

Following the service, attendees are welcome to remain in quiet reflection or join us downstairs for fellowship, resources, and community support. Quiet rooms will also be available.

## Why We Gather

Transgender Day of Remembrance calls us to witness the lives taken by violence, neglect, and discrimination—many of whom are never publicly honored. In community, we commit to remembering their humanity, celebrating their light, and strengthening our collective resolve to build a world where transgender and non-binary people can live safely, openly, and joyfully.

All are welcome to attend—whether you come to grieve, to support, to learn, or simply to hold space.

We hope you will join us in honoring their memory and lifting up resilience, solidarity, and love.