Last night I attended a vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance. Over one hundred people attended. We marched around the block carrying candles and glowsticks. Some people on the street asked what the event was about. There was a couple of moments of silence after we completed the procession.

There were a few speakers and a number of people from the audience spoke of their experiences. I spoke for a couple of minutes sharing my journey as a transgender person. I encouraged everyone to be who they are. Later on, a few folks thanked me for those encouraging words. I met a couple people that I remember from my days in a support meeting a couple of years back. We shared our experiences. One of the ladies is transitioning. I remember as a male crossdresser.

One of the suggestions she had for next year is to read names of those killed. It makes the name of that person more personal. It important to attend events like these for solidarity and support.

Gennee

i made that. Please, rate, subscribe, comment... very touching video for our transgendered family!

Escellent, RoseBlossom.

The link to the video in my signature line was sent to me by my church.  It, too, is worth a look.

(Since I'll probably change my signature line in the next few days, here it is:

NOV. 20 IS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBERENCE

From January to October 22, 2009, there have been internationally 95 transgender deaths due to violence.



"Weep for the dead.  Fight like hell for the living." - Mother Jones


- Kate

RoseBlossom, Kate.

I watched the video presentations. Thank you so much. I attended a vigil this past Friday. I shared a few words encouraging my sisters and brothers to be who they are.

Gennee

Gennee,
Thank you for doing that.  Part of the process of gaining our rights is to just show up.  If enough of us do it as you did, we will gain acceptance more quickly.
Keep up the good fight, dear.
- Kate

I cried a little while watching the vids. Thanks for putting them up!

The videos were wonderful.  Thank you.

Remembering our slain makes me both incredibly sad and very angry.

I want to organize, or help to, a TDoR next year here in the Rochester area.  If we don't make public what happens to us, it will happen time and time again.

I would love to have a TDoR where we remember our brothers and sisters who have fallen, but add no one to the list.

Here in Richmond Virginia , we memorialized our third Trans Day of Remerence . It was again hosted by the Friends Church . To my surprise attendence has steadily grown ! This year , we had about 80 people in attendence . We read the names of the couple shown in the You tube also. Ted Heck , Moderator for the Richmond Transformers a F to M group reminded us that hopefully , one day there will not be a need for this service . I agree, I see no need why we as transpeople have to live a life of shame and misery and in the closet ! I urge all Cross- dressers and trans people , come out , support the movement ! Get out into the churches , the synogogs , stores , resturants , social gatherings and on campus ! Let the world know we have something to share to the entire world ! Ellen

Quote from: Shauna Marie on November 26, 2009, 10:06:18 AM
The videos were wonderful.  Thank you.

Remembering our slain makes me both incredibly sad and very angry.

I want to organize, or help to, a TDoR next year here in the Rochester area.  If we don't make public what happens to us, it will happen time and time again.

I would love to have a TDoR where we remember our brothers and sisters who have fallen, but add no one to the list.

I couldn't agree more, Shauna.

Gennee

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Post Merge: November 27, 2009, 01:07:38 PM

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Quote from: eshaver on November 27, 2009, 09:42:38 AM
Here in Richmond Virginia , we memorialized our third Trans Day of Remerence . It was again hosted by the Friends Church . To my surprise attendence has steadily grown ! This year , we had about 80 people in attendence . We read the names of the couple shown in the You tube also. Ted Heck , Moderator for the Richmond Transformers a F to M group reminded us that hopefully , one day there will not be a need for this service . I agree, I see no need why we as transpeople have to live a life of shame and misery and in the closet ! I urge all Cross- dressers and trans people , come out , support the movement ! Get out into the churches , the synogogs , stores , resturants , social gatherings and on campus ! Let the world know we have something to share to the entire world ! Ellen

I spoke very briefly at the TDOR here in NYC. I encouraged everyone to be who they are. I am seeking more opportunities to speak to those outside my circle about transgender issues.

Gennee

This is such a sad thread ='[ I get so scared when I read things like this, where a seemingly perfectly normal and happy Transsexual commits suicide, or is killed. It scares me thinking that, that could happen to any of our Brothers or Sisters ='[

Sara, actually I think we account for a lot more than 1 %. Really dear as a professional driver I've actually had the oppurtunity to see many faces and do many odd and unusual things on ocassion . Once you get out of the So Called small towns and the Bible pounder areas , it might suprise the dickens out of ya ! Ellen Shaver

There's more transgender people than you think, Sara. There are many more transgender deaths that aren't even reported. I pray that more will be mentioned about transgender suicides at the next TDOR. Most of the transgender women murdered or die by their own hand are women of color. While I haven't had any incidents happen to me personally, I am wary of certain situations.

Gennee

A woman is more vulnerable than a man.
A transsexual is more vulnerable than a cis-gendered person.
In the US a person of color is more vulnerable than a pale-skinned person.

Be very careful out there.

- Kate