Letter: Transgender Day of Remembrance for support and solidarity

Jack Alferio

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a day set aside to remember transgender individuals who were murdered throughout the year. The people being remembered were murdered because of their status as a transgender person. Being a transgender individual is just now coming into the mainstream world, with activists such as Orange is the New Black’s Laverne Cox and author Janet Mock bringing them and their issues into the light in the media. With these women in the spotlight one would think that anti-trans violence would cease, or at least decline. However, just in the summer of 2014, 10 trans women of color were brutally murdered. These murders are brutal in the sense that bodies are burned, slurs are thrown, and hate is spewed along with blood. This description may seem gruesome, but it is true, and instances like this are the fear many, if not all, trans people. Every time trans people leave the house they are faced with the possibility of becoming a victim of hate.

On top of that, there is no protection against violence for trans people. It was just this year that California passed legislation that makes it illegal to use “trans panic” as a defense in court. “Trans panic” is when someone attacks a trans person on the presumption they are 1) in fact trans and 2) making a “pass” at the defendant. But many places do not have anything like that, and that fact that is has taken so long for the notion that killing someone because they are trans is wrong in the eyes of the law to even surface is a statement in of itself.

Obviously large-scale things need to change, but on the smaller scale there are things that can be done to help trans people and the movement for trans rights. Cisgender (not transgender) people can support the trans community by educating themselves. There are many resources out there for allies, but be careful not to overstep the boundaries set by trans people and the trans community. Try to steer clear of things that are intended specifically for trans people. Another thing allies should do to support the trans community is educate their friends and family. They should also stand up when transphobic and/or trans misogynic things are said. But the biggest show of support that an ally can give is to attend the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Attending TDOR shows support and respect for trans people and the trans community, as well as for those who have been victims of hatred and violence. Toledo’s local TDOR is on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at United Church of Christ in Sylvania off of Erie Street.

At this TDOR there will be readings of poetry and two keynote speakers. It means so much to the trans community in Toledo to see both transgender and ally come together to support those who were murdered this past year. Please come show your support of the trans community, and your solidarity.

— Jack Alferio, first-year majoring in social work

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