Transgender Day of Remembrance

PHOTO: TransOhio

Today across the country and the world, people stop to remember those transgender persons lost to violence fueled by transphobia and hate. I join my voice and prayer with others commemorating this day for an end to such senseless violence. Ignorance and fear are the sources of such violence. Like racism, such attitudes are sometimes learned at home, or sadly, in church. No matter where it begins, these attitudes have their root in dividing the world into “them” and “us.” Into “people like me” and “the other.”

If you don’t know much about transgender people, today would be a good day to learn something. You will find that transgender people are just that: people. When we get down to it, people are more alike than they are different. Today, say a prayer for those who have been lost. And say a prayer for those whose ignorance and fear perpetuate discrimination and violence against transgender people.

Here are some links to sites that contribute to better understanding of these people and the challenges they face:

Lana Wachowski’s acceptance speech for HRC Visibility Award. Acclaimed director of movies such as the Matrix Trilogy and       Cloud Atlas, her speech is one of the best on the topic I have ever heard. You won’t be the same after you hear it.

JamieAnn Myers Blog on Huffington Post states that over 238 trans people were murdered world wide last year. Her blog lists some struggles a transperson meets just going about ordinary daily activities.

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2013 (TDOR) A post from GLADD that includes a link to find TDOR events in your community.

Wikipedia’s entry on Transgender Day of Remembrance presents the history of this day as well as links for further information.