Transgender Day of Remembrance 2003

2003 Theme: "Mourn for the dead, but fight like hell for the living!" - Mother Jones

What: The Transgender Day of Remembrance in Eureka/Arcata/Humboldt State University is an event affiliated with others events that day around the world that remember those who died because of bias against transgender people. The day will include a vigil, educational workshops, and a discussion groups. Producing agencies for the Transgender Day of Remembrance - Humboldt include Humboldt State University's Trans Group (QSU-Trans), HSU Queer Student Union, Humboldt State University MultiCultural Center and the HSU Women's Center.

• Violence directed against transgender people occurs at an alarming rate -- at least once a month someone in the USA is killed because of bias against transgender people
• And every trans person's life is valuable
• And anti-transgender violence is part of a larger pattern of stigmatization, marginalization and victimization
• And part of our greater community is victimized
• And we all suffer when we lose members of our community
• And yet, trans lives are more than being hurt or killed - they are wonderful enjoyable lives and should be celebrated
• And our deaths should be remembered
• And the social system that creates a society where our lives and our deaths are erased needs to be changed.

WHO: Trans people, SOFFA, allies, community members and You!

WHEN: November 20th, 2003. Click to see a schedule of events.

WHERE: Most events will take place at Humboldt State University - Arcata California.

COST: Absolutely Free.

About the Transgender Day of Remembrance: 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 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 transgendered - that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant - each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgendered people.

We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence, especially since the events of September 11th. Yet even now, 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 transgendered 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-transgendered 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: contact mpw1@humboldt.edu.

MEDIA/PRESS: contact mpw1@humboldt.edu

GET INVOLVED: If you are interested in being involved in any part of the planning and putting on of the Transgender Day of Remembrance in the Eureka/Arcata, California area please contact us at mpw1@humboldt.edu

Schedule of Events