A day to remember

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is celebrated on November 20 to remind us of the thousands of transgenders who have lost their lives through the bigotry, ignorance and malice of those who believe they are entitled to assault, rape or kill those who are gender diverse.

The Day of Remembrance was initiated by an American transwoman, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, as a reaction against the murder of transwoman Rita Hester in 1998. Since 1999 there have been candlelight vigils, memorial services and gatherings on November 20 in many cities around the world.

This year, the NSW Gender Centre will host a memorial meeting on Saturday, November 20 from 2pm-4.30pm. Everyone is welcome and if people have stories of their own experiences, and can provide them in written form up to a week before the DOR, the Gender Centre will print them out and put them on the walls of the Centre for people to read.

The Gender Centre has commissioned purple memorial ribbons which will be on sale for $1 at the Centre from November 8. There will be invited speakers at this event.  All are welcome and light refreshments will be served.

Come and help us remember victims of transphobic violence. Make a resolution to resist such violence in future, and report it when it occurs. Many transgenders will not approach the police for fear of ‘outing’ themselves, but police are now more sympathetic to the problems of those marginalised by society, and want to help our community to live without fear.

It has been estimated that every three days a transperson somewhere in the world dies a violent transphobic death.

By KATHERINE CUMMINGS

info: Katherine Cummings works for the NSW Gender Centre. The memorial meeting will be held at the Gender Centre, 7 Bent St, Petersham – walking distance from Petersham or Stanmore stations.