Members of the transgender community who were killed because of their gender identity were honored Wednesday at Transgender Day of Remembrance events throughout the Bay Area.
Those who died because of violence violence trans people as well as other trans members and activists in the Bay Area were mourned at an event at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, organizer Tracy Garza said.
Among those recognized at the event were Jazzie Collins, Malena Cruz, Melenie Eleneke, Mike McLeod and Christopher Lee.
Garza said friends, relatives or coworkers spoke about each of the five people who passed away, which was followed by musical performances.
The annual ceremony is organized by the San Francisco-based Transgender Law Center.
Garza called the ceremony a "very, very solemn" event that serves as a way to "share this moment with us" and "to remember that the lives of trans people matter."
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has proclaimed Wednesday as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the city.
Local
In a statement released Wednesday he said, "Today we remember those who have tragically died because of hatred and intolerance...While much progress has been made in the last decade to advance transgender rights, anti-transgender violence sadly remains.
"We remind all San Franciscans that transgender people are our family, our colleagues and our friends. We recommit ourselves to ensure that no one is subjected to violence, discrimination or hatred simply because of one's gender identity," he continued.
In Oakland, the city council declared Wednesday as Transgender Remembrance Day and a ceremony with Mayor Jean Quan was held at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.
Names of transgender victims killed in the past year were read at the ceremony.
The East Bay trans community honored "agender" teen Sasha Fleischman. The 18-year-old was lit on fire while sleeping on an AC Transit bus in Oakland on Nov. 4.
Fleischman was seriously injured in the attack and the accused perpetrator, 16-year-old Richard Thomas, is being charged as an adult for the crime.
Dan Gale received a standing ovation at the Oakland ceremony for helping Fleischman put the fire out.
"I heard a commotion, I turned around and I seen someone on fire," Gale said.
He later learned the badly burned teen doesn't identify as male or female and sometimes wears skirts. Details Gale said shouldn't matter.
Dozens of events were also held around the state including in Fresno, San Diego and Los Angeles.
"It's an occasion to remember those we have lost, both locally and throughout the U.S. and the world," Garza said.
The day of remembrance began 14 years ago in response to the murder of a transgender woman, Rita Hester, in Massachusetts.
NBC Bay Area's Jean Elle contributed to this report.
