MistsOfSpring
12th Annual Transgender Remembrance Day
Posted on: 11/21/2010 19:18
I just found out that yesterday was the 12th Annual Transgender Remembrance Day. What stands out to me upon learning this is that I didn't know this day existed. Why didn't I know, after 12 years, that there was a day of remembrance for people who have died as a result of hate towards transgendered people? Did any of you know of this observance? It's very sad that such a day has to exist, but it's also very sad that it hasn't had the same kind of press that other days of remembrance have had. Here's what Wikipedia had to say on the subject:
Transgender Day of Remembrance is an occasion in the LGBT community set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice (transphobia). The event is held on 20 November. It was founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith[1][not in citation given] to honor Rita Hester, whose murder in 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a San Francisco, California candlelight vigil in 1999. Since then, the event has grown to encompass memorials in hundreds of cities around the world.[2][dead link]
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RitaTG
Posted on: 11/24/2010 10:46
This is a day that I remember ..... of course I have reason to...
The awareness of this day is growing and I have watched that progress from year to year.
I will be most happy when all persons regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or anything else were just regarded as people ...plain and simple...
I will be glad to see such a day when this is no longer a prodominant issue.
I feel we will get there to a great degree. Will there always be those that discriminate anyways? Yes there will .... and less and less will it be acceptable.
I like to keep my feet on the ground in reality but I look to the heavens and glimpse what could be!
Hugs
Rita
SG
Posted on: 11/24/2010 11:40
RitaTG,
It is a day of which I am keenly aware of, also.
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MistsofSpring,
It is a remembrance day of trans murders, but also a time to think of suicides and attempted suicides.
The latest figures I have are from Jan 2008-June 2009 and Brazil and the good ol'
US of A were the most dangerous places to be TG. Human Rights Campaign says their best estimate (by those that are identified as TG in the news) is that 15 every year in the US are murdered. Now, that is only those the family, witnesses or the police identify to the media as TG.
The Day of Remembrance website has about 100 people for 2009.
Crimes are also underreported because of cases like that of Duanna Johnson. Look her case up.
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I too hope, but I also know we have a very long way to go. I devoted myself to it and vowed to never meet it with silence after my own bashing. I was never closeted as being gay, but before it struck me, I was content to a "dyke" and just not go there.
abpenny
Posted on: 11/25/2010 20:36
No, I've never heard of it mofspring, and I think that is quite typical and disturbing to realize. I think we're content to pretend that everyone in our country has the right of freedom of expression without consequence. Baloney. StevieG highlights the desperation leading to suicide. It's heartbreaking what we do to each other.
SG
Posted on: 11/25/2010 20:38
Beshpin,
There are those who mark Worker's Memorial Day to make people aware of those who die, are disabled or made unwell by their work. It helps draw attention and perhaps make working conditions better.
There is Holocaust Remembrance Day to teach and inform others about the horrors of the Holocaust. It confrons the questions of "what happened? How did it happen? How could it happen? Could it happen again?" It attempts to fight against ignorance with education and against disbelief with proof.
December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against women. Each year across Canada events are held to remember victims of violence and to raise awareness of the serious violence faced by women in Canada and throughout the world.
October 4 there are Sisters in Spirit vigils to make the plight of aborigianl women known and to call for solutions to the violence Aboriginal women encounter in Canada.
The list goes on....
Gender nonconformists draw the attention of people and groups emotionally invested and intent on enforcing gender roles. It is rarely friendly. It is usually hate filled and violent. Gender based violence and discrimination happens in a society where clear or overt permission is given to punish those who do not adhere to gender norms.
Trans people can tell you they are scorned, attacked, marginalized, perhaps alienated from family and friends... If they are young, they often find themselves made homeless.... They are verbally harassed, verbally abused, threatened, stalked... They are assaulted, raped... They are fired, harassed, intimidated and assaulted by coworkers and bosses...
It draws attention and it can lead to education, funding, protections, legislation... It can lead to a better tomorrow.