Transgender Day of Remembrance is an important day for us to remember people who lost their lives because of anti-trans violence. It is also a time to see the struggles that trans people face every day. As a lesbian in the Ethiopian LGTBQ community, I see something very concerning: there is much transphobia among us, even from those who say they support trans rights. This is frustrating and not good for our unity as a community that is already hated in Ethiopia.

I often hear friends make dismissive comments about trans people, usually when they think no one is listening. It makes me sad to see people post supportive messages online but still hold onto harmful ideas in private. This kind of behavior sends a bad message—that some lives are less valuable than others.

As members of the Ethiopian queer community, we already deal with many challenges. Our experiences should help us understand and support each other, not create divisions. Supporting trans rights is not only about what we say on social media; it is about really trying to understand what it means to be trans and working on our own biases.

To truly honor Transgender Day of Remembrance, we need to have honest conversations about trans experiences and listen to trans people. It is very important to create spaces where everyone feels safe and respected. When we support trans people, we make our whole community stronger.

So, let us aim for real support—support that comes from understanding and respect. As we remember those who lost their lives to violence, let us commit to being true allies.