Rita Hester was a Black transgender woman, sister, auntie, performer, and poet from Hartford, CT who loved to dance. She was murdered in Allston, MA on November 28, 1998. Her death sparked Transgender Day of Remembrance, a national observance day to recognize transgender lives taken by violence. The day was founded in 1999 by a small group, including Gwendolyn Ann Smith, Nancy Nangeroni, and Jahaira DeAlto.

On July 15, 2020 an NBC News article written by Kate Sosin titled “Her death sparked Transgender Day of Remembrance. 22 years later, still no answers.” was published. Prior to the article there had been no well known publications stating that Rita Hester grew up in Hartford, CT. Artist, researcher, and activist Ephraim Adamz respectfully connected with siblings Diana Hester, Kim Hester, and nephew Taufiqul Chowdhury to confirm that the information is true.

On November 7, 2023 Ephraim Adamz finalized the creation of the Transgender Legacy Flag in honor of Rita Hester. Black and brown is placed at the center of the flag to bring awareness to Black transgender issues. The triangular midpoint insinuates an hour glass which symbolizes past, present, future, and legacy. 

The Transgender Legacy Flag was raised in the Pratt Street Historic District of Hartford, CT for the twenty-fifth anniversary of Transgender Day of Remembrance from November 20, 2023 to November 28, 2023, through the support of Jordon Polon and the Hartford Business Improvement District.

On November 27, 2023 the Hartford Courant published an article by Allison Cross titled “CT woman’s murder sparked international movement. Her family still doesn’t know who killed her.” The article interviews Rita Hester’s family with an in-depth take on her connection to Hartford, CT for the first time, and the inspiration behind the Transgender Legacy Flag.

On November 28, 2023 communities gathered at Erin Doolittle’s Wholeness House Hartford in Hartford CT, for a Transgender Legacy Ceremony organized by Ephraim Adamz in memory of Rita Hester, Monique Thomas, Tyra Hunter, Chanelle Pickett, Gabrielle Pickett, Debra Forte, and Jahaira “Balenciaga” DeAlto. Kim Hester and Taufiqul Chowdhury were special guests. Taufiqul Chowdhury, Tia Lynn “Bubblicious” Waters, Karleigh Emmelene Chardonnay Webb, and Ephraim Adamz were speakers. As of 2025 Erin Doolittle’s Wholeness House Hartford is no longer located at 12 Charter Oak Place, but the memories will continue to motivate and inspire.

In November 2023 Ephraim Adamz began recording video journals, documented feedback, inspirations, and motivations leading up to the creation of the Transgender Legacy Flag. Audiences are introduced to several lived experiences that shape the activists work.

In the documentary viewers can fully witness the Transgender Legacy Ceremony and engage in the community concerns that were discussed. 

In March 2024 the creation of the Transgender Legacy Flag, Transgender Legacy Ceremony, and the revelation of Hartford, CT history came with discourse. Kamora Le’Ella Harrington of Kamora’s Cultural Corner served as a cultural humility consultant and facilitator.

Release of the documentary was synced with Transgender Day of Visibility 2024 to foster follow up conversations. 

On April 11, 2024 the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History added Rita Hester and the Transgender Legacy Flag to its LGBTQ Historic Timeline under the entry title “25th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance”.

On October 9, 2024 the Transgender Legacy Flag was displayed near the Pansy Garden at the Sterling Street Sanctuary & Nature Reserve in Hartford CT, during LGBT History Month.

On November 20, 2024 communities gathered in memory of Rita Hester and Savannah Rose Rivers Amore in advocacy for accessible estate planning. WTNH News 8 published an article written by Juliana Lepore titled “Hartford celebrates Transgender Remembrance Day” stating the Transgender Legacy Flag was displayed at the corner of “Main and Gold Street”. Ephraim Adamz was the speaker.

In October of 2025 Ephraim Adamz began the quest for a Transgender Day of Remembrance Proclamation.  

Three different documents were printed by government officials. One proclamation issued by Mayor of Hartford Arunan Arulampalam and two proclamations issued by Governor Ned Lemont, the second being a re-issue to include the call to action that Ephraim Adamz had advocated for, but was missing. 

On on November 23, 2025 in his Faith & Actions Sermon delivered at Center Church, formally the First Church of Christ in Hartford, Ephraim Adamz explained the challenges behind achieving the proclamations and the reasons why three proclamation documents exist.

Ephraim Adamz advocates for us to take action every year on Transgender Day of Remembrance by promoting anti-violence. Making food more accessible. Developing shelters and housing that are safe. Practicing safer ways of educating. Centering specific types of self help and affirming care such as estate planning and legacy arrangements that accurately aligns, reflects, and respects who we are as human beings.

“Does the actions of one person represent all? 

Does the actions of one church represent all churches? 

For just over a year Center Church has shown empathy and grace in supporting my efforts to distribute information about the history of Transgender Day of Remembrance. A national observance day sparked by the murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman from Hartford CT who was killed on November 28, 1998. She was a sister, auntie, performer, and poet. 

In 1994 The First Church of Christ in Hartford CT declared itself as open and affirming. It was the reverend Liza in October of 2025 who continued that notion by suggesting to request a proclamation on Rita Hester and Transgender Day of Remembrance. 

As the researcher on this work, I reached out to our government and advocated for the proclamation to include citations which credits all parties who’ve helped me with the work. So that future generations can pick up where we left off once it’s our time to pass. 

I advocated for the proclamation to include a call to action so that it’s readers know how to serve the community. 

I advocated for the proclamation to be issued with a press release so that the world may act upon that call. 

And so proclamations were delivered… 

The citations were incomplete, the call to action was missing, and there was no press release. 

Do proclamation serve community in the ways we need? 

And so I cried, I cried, and I cried. For I have three different proclamations. 

One with a little history, a few citations, and no call to action. 

One with a call to action, a little history, but no citations. 

One with a little history, no citations, and no call to action. 

But then god blessed me in a mysterious way. 

A communications worker by the name of Rob Blanchard was placed in my path. 

The proclamation was revised to include the call to action. 

A news reporter arrived which allowed me to explain what the community needs. 

The report aired on TV with an article, and a press release. 

God has reminded me not to lose faith. God was protecting us. 

What purpose would it have served for our government to issue a press release for a proclamation that doesn’t include everything the community needs? 

What are pride flags and proclamations without actions? 

So today is still a joyous day, because I can try again. 

I have faith that god will lead the way.”