[Laura]

Transgender Day Of Remembrance NOV 20th

http://gender.org/re...about/core.html

This year at least the Mathew Shepard hate crime bill has been signed into law. Unfortunately I don't know if that will keep this list from growing. What will?


Laura

[Kathleen Rose]

Laura, on Nov 6 2009, 12:07 PM, said:

Unfortunately I don't know if that will keep this list from growing. What will?

Hello Laura,

This is a sobering message. Every day people die needlessly and our world is poorer for it.

Yes, we're persecuted, but we needn't feel alone. I'd rather be a transsexual in America than a woman in Saudi Arabia. Or a Buddhist in Tibet. Or anyone in Somalia. It's a world full of horrors.

Our persecution can only be stopped by education, bringing knowledge where fear and ignorance exist. It is happening slowly - I've seen much progress in the past 40 years, but more progress is required.

What saddens me most is the institutionalized bigotry that exists. There just doesn't seem to be a way to end the cult of hypocrisy that comes from some religious institutions. I just hope that, some day, people will have enough knowledge to silence their message.

So, what can I do? It makes me want to climb out of the closet, even if I'm not ready to transition. It makes me want to become the activist that says that respected members of the community can be transsexuals - not people to be feared and reviled, but ordinary folk just trying to get along in life. Is there a way to spread that message? Does anyone have ideas? I'd appreciate hearing them.

Thanks, Kat

[Elizabeth K]

Educate the enlightened and hope they teach their peers. Hope the peers are compassionate enough to shush the nay-sayers. And pray the nay-sayer develop laryngitis.

Laura, unfortunate but true - two people left in the world - one will turn to the other and say, "I HATE YOU!"

I once had a positive attitude that I can make a difference. I still have some of that but have modified it to a thinking, perhaps I can help get enough people educated so that together we can make a difference.

I will remember the 20th - and I will light a candle - its what I do.

Lizzy

[AshleeB]

Im doing my part in my community regarding this issue. Im hosting my own gathering of friends and relatives to take part in this day. It means alot to me (even though i havnt lost anyone personally) but its the principal. Im holding it in my local park ^_^ im asking my friends to bring anyone else who wants to tag along. im trying to make a thing of it. not sure whats gonna happen on the day but i know there will be candles and a moment of silence

iuno... ive missed this day every year. im not missing it this year and i plan on catching up on respecting our fallen

Love
Ash

[viv]

Dear Laura,
I will be attending a Remembrance Service next Friday here in Dublin, Ireland.
To my Brothers and my Sisters who lost their lives because of who they were.
I weep for you
I live for you
I will never forget you. viv.

[Charlene_Leona]

Here in St. Louis we have so many groups holding vigils on the 20th we are having a large gathering on the 18th so everyone can get together and mourn for those lost to hate.

[Laura]

There are few groups who have a higher mortality rate than the Transgendered. There is a 50% suicide rate. Then thousands of deaths from illegal hormone use and Silicone injections. Then if you live through all that there is death through violence. Sometimes it's a wonder that there is still a community left to support. Are we tougher than we think we are? Surviving all of this is no small thing.

Reasons given for suicide in order in our crisis rooms:

1) Problems coming out to homophobic friends, families and co-workers. Homophobia in general including slurs.

2) Body Image Distress or disgust - puberty

3) Discrimination - Housing - Employment - Church's

4) Victims of Hate crimes and/or violence

Note that 3 of the 4 reasons are caused by other homophobic people that can't let us be ourselves. Yet there were many opposed to the hate crime bill because it would hurt their rights to bash us and call us names. These people ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Laura

[LauraJen]

Is the date different for different countries, because that's the idea I'm getting?

[Joanna Phipps]

If those of us who want to be that far out band together and start getting the right information out there to combat the lies and partial truths we could make a lot of headway in most of the country. There will always be areas where the people just will not be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Never underestimate the power of a small group of comitted individuals to change the world.

We lit two candles at my support group, one for each of the Albuquerque people killed