Today is the 9th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day where we “memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.”
The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.
The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th in 1998 prompted the “Remembering Our Dead” web project.
Why do we need a day of remembrance? Because of people like Tyra Hunter:
Tyra Hunter was a 24 year old transsexual woman who died after being injured as a passenger in a car accident. Emergency medical technicians at the scene of the accident uttered derogatory epithets and withdrew medical care after discovering her birth sex, and ER staff at DC General Hospital subsequently provided dilatory and inadequate care.
There will be vigils across the country and around the world. Toronto will hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance on Tuesday, November 20th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at The 519 Church St. Community Centre, Auditorium.
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