Being transgender can be a lonely life. So many friends made, so many relationships come and gone. We get so close, we share some of the best memories of our lives. We live in a community, we share together, we cry together, best of all we support each other. There's a bond with each other that most don't understand unless you've gone through what we have. Eventually we disappear on each other because we move on with life. We are like foster children in each other's lives, there is heartbreak over and over again. We meet, become inseparable in a battle to be us, but we are forced apart by hate and bigotry. It's a constant struggle for the transgender community. We just want to live authentically, so badly. We just want to live a life like everyone else. To know we are safe. To relate with everyday things. When we look for comfort in what we knew all our lives, in a lot of cases family and friends are gone. We try to explain what we are going through and it's met with deaf ears. Met with a lack of comprehension. So, there is so much we bottle up. Loved ones forget about us, but we never forget about you. This life is not easy but it's ours, we'll stick together the best we can. We have a deep love for each other. That is why on this day tears run down my cheeks for our fallen brothers and sisters. Rest in power all my friends in this battle.
With love,
Melissa

I wholeheartedly support your words on our community both living and deceased. May the latter Rest in Peace.

Thank you MelissaAnn. I wish you happiness.

Hugs

Pamela

Yesterday I attended my first TDOR observance at my local lgbtqa+ center, we got ribbons with colors of the trans flag. It was a really emotional experience for me. It was heartbreaking to reflect on the violence and challenges that trans and nonbinary people face worldwide, and being there yesterday has reminded me how important it is to come together and support one another. I'm still processing everything, but I'm deeply moved by the strength and solidarity of this community.

It was a three hour event from 6pm - 9pm, dinner was served, and the Gays Against Guns (GAG) where there, dressed and veiled in white holding the pictures of the victims. I look them up online and learned that their group was founded as result of the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando Florida in 2016.

This event gave me hope because, it was comforting to be among others like me in real life, and it remind me we're not alone in this fight for dignity, respect, and safety.

I remember most people I've had the honour and privilege to get to know through this site, since I joined back in 2008. Almost 16 years at this point. Some of whom... well no, one of whom... he was my best friend, got to know me in a way very few people have. And his death hit me hard. So hard I don't think I've ever come to terms with it. Some people who know me, know who I'm talking about.

Nero.

Every light lost to the world, either voluntary or involuntary, is a shade darker the world gets. Never forget the people who made the world brighter, sometimes in the face of overwhelming darkness. Their light will never be forgotten. The fight to be yourself is more noble than all the wars the world has ever had.

May the people who we remember, never be forgotten.