2007 International Transgender Day of Remembrance

(Report to come....)

2006 International Transgender Day of Remembrance

In mid November many members of CDM marked the observance of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. The official date for the event is always November 19th, however, due to scheduling conflicts many services are held at different times all over the world. It is on this day that we remember those members of our community who have been murdered for simply being who they are and to help raise public awareness of the challenges that we face being transgendered.

In Montclair, New Jersey, the service was held on a very rainy night. CDM's President, Cynthia, as well as chapter members Donna, Tammie and Josette, braved the weather along with approximately 50 other people. One girl came to the church right from the airport where she had just landed from having her SRS in Canada (it turns out that she is a former member of CDM). Originally it was planned to hold a remembrance walk with stops at 3 different Houses of Worship but because of the weather everyone walked symbolically instead from one stop to another within the one church. At each stop different people were handed cards and read the name and information of TG's who had been killed. One was a young child beaten to death by the father because of not acting like a boy. This was the first time most of us took part in this event and for many it was a very powerful presentation.

After the service attendees enjoyed light refreshments and had the chance to talk to a wide variety of people who had come out - Straights, Gays, Couples, Singles, College Students, CD's and TS's.

CDM's Vice President, Linda, attended the ceremony held on Long Island held on the 19th at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington. It too was very well attended and had wonderful musical performances by Ashley David, Georgie Jessup and Big love, Robert Urban and many others.

Photographer Mariette Pathy Allen was in attendance to showcase some of her photographs and there was several pieces of original artwork displayed that had been painted by members of the TG community.

The Keynote Speaker for the evening was Suffolk County Majority Leader Jon Cooper. He was followed by speeches from the Reverend Paul Ratzlaff of UUF of Huntington, Donna Riley of Long Island Trans experience, Pauline Park of NY gender rights advocate and Julie Owens of Long Island Transgender Advocacy coalition. During the ceremony attendees read the names of those murdered during the past year and then lit a candle in their honor. It was a very moving experience.

There was a lite refreshment period with coffee and cake before and after the ceremony and everyone had the opportunity to mingle and talk to each other.

All of the organizers for both events should be commended for such a thoughtful and truly remarkable evening. It's only in the planning stages at the moment but CDM will be involved in some way with the organization of this event in 2007.

What follows are some photographs taken by Linda at the Long Island Event.