LGBTCleveland.org – By Erin Nash
This year will mark Cleveland’s 4th year holding a vigil for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. As Gwendolyn Smith has eloquently put it:
“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 November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people.
The deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender 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-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 of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.” – by Gwendolyn Smith Remembering our Dead Project.
With the combined efforts of TransFamily and The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland the Day of Remembrance will be held on Sunday, November 18, 2007.
The event will start at the LGBT Center located at 6600 Detroit Ave. Cleveland at 5:00pm with a candle light walking vigil to the Parish at 6205 Detroit Ave. Cleveland. Once inside speakers will help us remember those who have been lost to anger and hatred over the last year, and offer us hope through their messages about what is being done to educate people and prevent these senseless tragedies. After the ceremony of mourning for those who have been lost, there will be a celebration of life in the Parish Hall with awards to recognize those have worked to support and serve the transgender community, dancing courtesy of DJ Hawk, informational booths featuring sponsored organizations, and a variety of light fare and refreshments. Special musical guests Early Girl will also be performing in the Parish during the vigil and after the awards are given.
Sponsors of this year’s event are: TransFamily, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, FTMI-Ohio, Equality Ohio, Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, PFLAG-Cleveland, People of All Colors Together, ACLU, Aids Task Force, Alpha Omega, Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Community Relations Board, and Cleveland HRC Steering Committee.
For more information or to make an award nomination, visit the LGBT website at www.lgbtcleveland.org For any other questions please contact the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland by phone at 216-631-LGBT, or contact Jake Nash at 330-240-1600.