I went last year when I was only in the crossdressing stage not knowing or admitting to myself that I really am transgendered. I was one of the people who went up to the microphone and read off a name. I could not keep the tears back afterward. Anyway, I am going this year dressed as my preferred gender.
Additionally, I have decided that I will be going "fully dressed" which means I will be open carrying a firearm on my side. I can't speak for any of the others who may be present, but I have decided that I personally will no longer tolerate violence against transgendered individuals. These events are certainly not armed gatherings but I think it is high time that this message be sent. There are a lot of hate-filled individuals out there and there is likely to be only one or two police officers present. I don't expect there to be trouble but at the same time the other dozens of transgender people recently murdered in the past year or two didn't think so either.
I believe that these events are extremely important to bring awareness to the public about the issues of hate crimes but I also believe that action needs to be taken. Unless there are a lot of police/security present, I will make it a point to be one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. We need to start protecting ourselves and this is part of the message that will be sent. My permit will override any "no weapons" signs that may be present in the park we are having this at anyway.
Like others here, I don't want to find out about a friend, loved one, or even acquaintance who turns out to be another tragic victim. I read of a case where a transgender person in some other city than Phoenix had been brutally beaten after simply leaving a TDOR. These things force me to take this stuff really seriously. I'm getting so sick of this that if I ever see a person physically assault any trans person anywhere, I am personally putting them under citizen's arrest. We have got to put a stop to this sickness.
