Transgender Day of Remembrance, a report

Central United Methodist Church of Detroit hosted the Transgender Day of Remembrance service this evening. A major portion of the service was to read the names of transgender persons who had been murdered worldwide in the last year. There was a display of about 250 candles with one being lit with each name. Tina Seitz, who sent me the poster for the service, was one of the readers. I am very aware these are only the reported cases of transgender murders. Many places, such as the Middle East and eastern Africa, wouldn't bother reporting such deaths. The actual death toll for simply not conforming to gender expectations is, I'm sure, far higher. Yes, the number above is for one year.

A transgender woman named Michelle or Shelley was murdered in Detroit last month. The news report included a photo and she looked vaguely familiar. I checked with the staff at the Ruth Ellis Center (where I volunteer) and they said she had been a regular. That means I likely served supper to her. Shelley's mother was one of this evening's speakers. She didn't speak long and we thanked her heartily for coming while the wound to her soul is so fresh. The other main speaker was Sylvia Guerrero, whose transgender daughter was murdered close to a decade ago. George Jonte and Rev. Delores Berry provided some music, with George singing God Help the Outcasts from the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Rev. Ed. Rowe provided a stirring benediction.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Tina Seitz sent me this flyer. It will be displayed too small to read, so I've reproduced the text below.

Transgender Day of Remembrance will be held on Friday, November 18 at 7:00 at Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams St. Detroit. Door will open at 6:30. The speaker will be Sylvia Guerrero. For more information contact Michelle Fox Phillips of Transgender Detroit at msfjp@sbcglobal.net or 248-514-2688.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on Nov. 28, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester's murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current medial doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicity 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-transgender 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 who've died by transgender violence.