Transgender Day of Remembrance

[The Conquistador]

Originally Posted by aw9725

Just got back home from our "Day of Remembrance" in Indianapolis. Was a very nice evening here (clear and in the 60's). In Indiana you never know what you are going to get--it could be a blizzard, sunshine, or tornadoes--sometimes all three in one day!

The evening's activities started with the play "Transactions." Three actors shared their real-life experiences with transitioning (two M2F, one F2M) and the challenges of living day to day as a transgendered individual. What made it more interesting than simply a monologue was that the three acted out each of the scenarios. Each actor played a variety of rolls and interacted quite well with the others. Although presenting a serious message, the play was relatively light hearted, fast moving, and entertaining. I found it very educational as well.

After a 15 minute intermission, the actors and director participated in a panel discussion with the audience. Again, most of the questions were "easy" and along the lines of "does anyone at work know," "when will you perform this again," etc. Many people in the audience shared their own stories--usually with humor. Only when someone asked about how real the threat of violence was did the discussion take a decidedly more serious tone. All of the cast members then related stories involving threats or acts of violence against them or someone they knew. Each one acknowledged that the threat of violence is a very real part of everyday life for transgendered people. One of the cast members shared as how she is always afraid that someone might be following her after work and routinely checks her car to make sure "the tires are OK" and the "check engine light is off" so she will not have to stop in some unknown area on her way home. The way each of them talked about this you could tell that it was not just something they had "read about" happening to someone else--but had really experienced. All too often. It was pretty sobering. During my lifetime at least (since the early 70's), our society has come to better accept racial and sexual equality. We have made progress in many areas. The only group that still seems broadly discriminated against is the LGBT community. It is also a target of brutal violence. That really hit home for me tonight.

The final activity was a candlelight "vigil." This consisted of each person placing several flowers, each with the name of a victim, on a board at the front of the church. While we did that, a multimedia presentation ran showing pictures of many of the victims since 1970. I thought of Angie Zapata. After placing my flowers I sat back down and watched the rest of the presentation--again I was stunned by the sheer number of victims as well as the level of brutality in most cases. The fact that some of the victims were "admirers" or had been involved in a relationship with a transwoman was not lost on me either. Eventually Angie's face appeared on screen.

On a much happier note, I made several new friends. "Marg" (not her real name) must have felt sorry for the "big guy by himself" and came over to talk. I also got to meet the cast members. In the lobby there was information on "intraa" (Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance) and also catered food and drink--Agio's from downtown Indy did a great job!

Right on bro!

Today was a “day off” and I have been reading a booklet I received at the remembrance ceremony titled "Made in God's Image" by Ann Thompson Cook.

It is a discussion of gender identity in our modern society and while the publication is associated with the Methodist Church, it is not overly religious in tone. I would reccomend it for anyone regardless of their faith. As part of my own education, I have found it very well written and thoughtful and it has answered many questions I have had including use of terminology.

Many people on this forum who are new could probably benefit from reading this booklet. Among other issues, it addresses the "Gay" question that seems to trouble so many on this forum. I personally found it supportive and reassuring of my own feelings and will most likely refer to it often as I come to better understand my sexuality.

[Bionca]

Thank you for this topic and for attending.

[shadows]

AW, do you have a link to a generalized article about the November 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance that I could copy and paste? The reason I ask is that I am a Moderator at another site and this is a topic that should be known.

[shadows]

*facepalm*

And I am blind. SSL has a link to it at the top of the page. I will copy it from Egale and post it later today. Hopefully this will change(or at least enlighten) one of the member's minds over there about this.

[shadows]

I have placed a copy of the article from Egale at the forum. I hope that at least one person there will have their eyes opened just as mine have been here.

Aside from the “Remembrance” service being a significant part of my personal growth, it also turned out to be the “icebreaker” I have been seeking regarding sharing this part of myself with friends and family. The last few weeks have been interesting.

I publicized this event as well as the organization “Stopping the Hate” on my technology blog which is read by many of our students and faculty. So there is no hiding it now. Many I’ve talked to had no idea what “transgender” really meant. Or what kinds of “hate crimes” have been committed against transgender individuals. Or why I had an interest in it. At this point, I believe my friends and colleagues see me as primarily a supporter of “rights.”

But it has started the conversation…