(SACRAMENTO) Team members gather at the 2025 Principles of Community kickoff event.
UC Davis Health is home to eight vibrant Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), each dedicated to fostering inclusion, support, and community across our workforce. These ERGs offer safe spaces for dialogue, mentorship, and cultural celebration—helping employees feel seen, heard, and empowered.
From organizing campus-wide events to driving equity-focused initiatives, the UC Davis Health ERGs are a cornerstone of the Principles of Community and a testament to the power of collective purpose. Visit this site throughout the year for interesting “Did You Know?” tidbits.
One shining example is the PRIDE ERG, which recently surpassed 1,100 members—making it the largest ERG in UC Davis Health history.
From the PRIDE ERG: Transgender Day of Remembrance Nov. 20
Observed annually on Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance honors transgender people lost to anti-transgender violence. The day began in 1999 when advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith organized a vigil for Rita Hester, a transgender woman killed in 1998. That vigil grew into an annual tradition. Violence against transgender people remains persistent and deadly, disproportionately affecting people of color. Harmful rhetoric fuels stereotypes and policies that restrict freedoms, while physical attacks have reached historic levels.
UC Davis Health Display The Blaisdell Medical Library will host a display from Nov. 17 to 21 to honor the lives lost. Names from the "Remembering Our Dead" page by Trans Lives Matter will be featured, with space for participants to add their own names.
How to Get Involved Attend or organize a vigil on Nov. 20. Vigils, often led by local advocates or LGBTQ organizations, typically include reading names of those lost. (Source: GLAAD)
Anti-LGBTQ Violence Data GLAAD’s ALERT Desk Report tracked 932 anti-LBGTQ incidents between May 2024 and May 2025, averaging 2.5 per day. More than half targeted transgender and gender-nonconforming people, resulting in 84 injuries and 10 deaths—eight involving people of color. In 2022, over 2,800 hate crimestargeted LGBTQ+ people, nearly one in four of all hate crimes. Of these, 542 were motivated by gender identity, including 393 against transgender people. These figures likely undercount incidents due to gaps in reporting and data collection. (Source: HRC)
Closing Thought Transgender Day of Remembrance is not only a time to mourn but also a call to action. By honoring those we’ve lost, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive world for transgender and gender-nonconforming people. Awareness, advocacy, and solidarity are essential steps toward ending violence and ensuring every person can live authentically and without fear.
National Coming Out Day, observed annually on October 11, is more than a date—it’s a declaration of authenticity, courage, and community. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, coming out is a deeply personal journey that can also be a powerful act of resistance and healing. This day as a reminder that visibility saves lives and that every story shared helps build a culture where everyone can thrive. You belong here whether you're out, coming out, or still exploring your identity. The PRIDE ERG stands with you—today and every day.
Learn more about all our UC Davis Health Employee Resource Groups. These groups are open to anyone, regardless of background, who wishes to support, participate, or be educated in the many cultures and communities at UC Davis Health. Membership and participation in Employee Resource Group activities are not dependent on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any protected category under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
