WASHINGTON - Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement today in honor of the seventh annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov. 20, 2005:

"The Day of Remembrance is a powerful reminder of anti-transgender hate crimes and the need for full protections under law. More than a dozen transgender Americans were killed this year alone, and, sadly, that's almost surely an undercount of actual murders. It doesn't even touch on the acts of violence and harassment faced on a daily basis. It's past time for these lives to be remembered and honored with dignity and protections under the law.

"This fall, the House of Representatives passed for the first time ever a bill that would give local law enforcement vital tools to fight bias crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. This is the bill that should go to the president's desk for signing. This is the law that should protect the American people.

"The Human Rights Campaign stands with fair-minded Americans in marking this solemn occasion and calling for more to be done in cities, counties, states and Congress. Another year should not go by with such devastating reminders of how much further we have to go."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.