AUSTIN – On Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 6:30 p.m., the transgender community of Texas and its allies will gather for a vigil in downtown Austin on the steps of City Hall to honor those killed because they didn’t conform to traditional gender norms. The event is part of the internationally coordinated 12th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance to be held in more than 90 cities worldwide. This is the ninth year that the vigil has been observed in Austin.
We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence. 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. Many of these crimes against transgender individuals remain unreported and unsolved. There is also a great deal of violence and discrimination aimed at the gender diverse population
Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender – that is, as a transsexual, cross dresser, or otherwise gender-diverse – each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people.
DOR Committee Co-Chair, Susan French said, “My son is transgender and I am afraid for him… for his safety and well being. The thought of him being a victim of a crime simply for being who he is just sickens me. The hatred and intolerance needs to stop!”
This event is sponsored by the Transgender Education Network of Texas along with these other area organizations: Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation; AIDS Services of Austin; allgo; Alpha Tau chapter of Tri-Ess; Care Communities; Central Texas Transgender Society; Church of the Savior; Congregation Agudas Achim; Congregation Shir Ami; Congregational Church of Austin; Equality Texas; Grace United Methodist Church; Human Rights Commission; Katy Koonce, LCSW; Kings N Things; Live Oak Pharmacy; Metropolitan Community Church of Austin at Freedom Oaks; Out Youth; PFLAG of Austin; SafePlace; St. Hildegard’s Community; Violet Crown Counseling; Waterloo Counseling Center; Wildflower Church
For more information about this and other observances of the Day of Remembrance, please visit: http://www.transgenderdor.org
Other Observances Around the State
San Antonio — November 18, 2010
6:30 PM
MCC San Antonio
611 E. Myrtle,
San Antonio, Texas, 78259
Houston — November 20, 2010
7:00 pm
A.D. Bruce Religion Center, UH Main Campus
4800 Calhoun Road
Houston, TX
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159425054097685
Dallas — November 21, 2010
7:00 pm
Interfaith Peace Chapel
5910 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, Texas 75235
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/TransDOR.Dallas
Transgender Education Network of Texas is dedicated to furthering the cause of Gender Diverse people in Texas. We will accomplish this through education in both public and private forums. Through our efforts we will strive to halt discrimination through social, legal, legislative and corporate education.
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