The Massachusetts Senate opened its session by observing Transgender Day of Remembrance, with the presiding officer saying the day honors transgender lives taken by hatred and violence.

The presiding officer said the chamber remembers “transgender lives and gender non conforming individuals whose lives were taken by hatred and violence,” and urged that Massachusetts recommit to ensuring people can “live, work, and love safely and with dignity.”

The acknowledgement preceded routine business for the brief session, including committee reports and several unanimous-consent actions. The Senate then moved on to committee reports and procedural votes later in the morning.