ns Day of Remembrance:
A Reflection on A
Community and Healing

s the 7th Annual

Transgender Day of

Remembrance
approaches on November_ 28,
2005, my thoughts turn to com-
munity and the past year. The
unseasonably warm weather
outside and the laughter of kids
next door reminds me of
reprieve, though I don’t know
exactly why until I begin a hard
reading through the 21 new '
names and lives added to the
list of those murdered this year
out of acts of anti—transgender
violence. I sit immersed in my
neighborhood community and
my trans community, both a
part of me, and I am torn
between the summery scene
outside and the scenes within
my mind. But I know why I
can’t give this hard read up:
sometimes healing lies within
the very things that remind us
most of our wounds.

For those whoare not famil-
iar with the Transgender Day of
Remembrance (DOR), the
event is held to honor those
who have been murdered or
have died due to anti—transgen—
der violence or sentiment. A
candlelight vigil, march and
memorial service have been
held in past years in
Burlington, after the spirit of
the first DOR in 1999 which
was held to honor the death of
Rita Hester, herself a victim of
‘anti—transgender violence.

Reading through the acts of
anti—transgender violence. that
have occurred in the past year, I
am reminded how anti-trans-
gender sentiment can kill both
bodily and spiritually. One inci-
dent outlines the story of a
father who beat his three-year-
old son to death for fear that his
son would grow up effeminate.

The past year includes acts
of violence perpetrated by
young adults — late teens to
early twenties — directed at
other young adults, leaving us
to wonder if indeed the next
generation is doomed to repeat
the grievous acts of the former.

Many of the 21 people
acknowledged on this year’s
list are transwomen, people of
Color, and/or sex workers, indi-
cating that sexism, racism and
classism still play an unfortu-

 

nate role in allowing anti-trans-
gender violence to exist. And
some of the murders were per-
petrated by family members,
reminding us how close to
home violence can exist.

In Colchester, just a month
after DOR in 2004, violence
also struck within the Vermont
community. Outside a restau-

t rant a man recognized as trans-

gendered was assaulted and
beaten by another man. The
incident, though not fatal, was
devastating and brutal in the
level of violence. Additionally,
the devastation resounded in
the communities we call home.
The incident illustrates all too
well the holes and injustices
associated with anti—transgender
violence.

Few local news media cov-
ered the incident or attempted
to raise awareness about anti-
transgender violence in the
area. The lack of information
left individuals frustrated that
no collective community sup-
port could be shown to the indi-
vidual and his family or
demonstrated publicly as a sign
of protest. -In the astounding
silence, the weight of fear was
thrown back onto the shoulders
of our communities, and of
trans folks, their families,
friends, and allies.

Perhaps it is the sound of my
neighbors outside, but as I think

I about my community in the

names of the dead, I also think
about the names of the living,
those around me. I think about
how closely connected we are,
needing each other to survive

- and celebrate. I think about the

questions we ask daily to sur-
vive. Where will we be living;
who will hire us;’what will hap-
pen to our children in our
school systems; who will stand

up for our loved ones in prison;
where will we receive medical

t treatment; who will protect us

from the threat of crime or
selective application of the law;
will we have access to the
resources we need? I think
about coming together to find
answers to those questions so
that our communities are safe
and sustaining, and we don’t
have to count the lives taken
from us each year. -

A friendlsays to me,
“Remember the first year we
did this? Remember when the
planning committee was so
small it could meet in some-
one’s kitchen?” I like this sym-
bol of healing coming from
‘within our own homes. And of
growth, the small numbers
swelling into 100 or more
attendants at DOR every year,
and the addition of a new gen-
der revue event that takes place
early in November to celebrate
the art and richness of gender
diverse lives.

Amidst the sadness there is
also hope, and I look forward to
the upcoming year where we
have a chance to make positive
contact with each other, educate
and celebrate with each other. I
hope that agencies and individu-
als not only provide services
within their own circles but
challenge themselves to extend
broad and inclusive networks. I
hope for legislation in Vermont,
such as bill H—478 which will be
introduced to the legislature in
January 2006, that will set the
precedent, tone, and legal frame-
work for ending anti—transgen-
der violence and discrimination
in the state. I hope that my
neighbors and I will continue to
attend and advocate for each
other at community, school, and
city meetings. And I hope for -
time when the memories will
come like sweet reprieve.V

Levi Terence is a transman who
enjoys doughnuts and sharing
stories, best when done together.
DOR Art Show and Cultural
Event: Thursday, Nov. 1 7, 6-9pm,
Rose Street Artz'st’s C0-op.
Memorial: Saturday, Nov. 19th,
6-9pm, Unitarian Universalist
Society. For more details see

OIT M ’s community calendar.

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