COMMENTARY

The week began at church with a community Thanksgiving dinner.  A number of folks who are struggling were fed. On Monday, it was Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony at SAGE senior center. Thanksgiving on Thursday and the craziness that is called Black Friday(I wasn't out there).

Common threads were the range of emotions from gratitude to sympathy and celebration to madness. Another is the people who were part of this. Many have fared well. Others are still struggling. In the TGLBQI community loneliness and estrangement is magnified even more. The sense of no one caring and vilification can make daily life a living hell.

During my annual time of reflection, I think about all the tumultuous events that have happened. I am reminded that people are my fellow human beings, my neighbors. I have experienced highs and lows, lack and plenty. I am thankful to God that He has sustained and kept me up to this point. I wish the best for my neighbor whether or not I know them.  

Edgy About TDOR

The Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony will be held at Sage Center tomorrow at 6:30 PM. I'm am a bit nervous, something that never happened in previous years. Maybe it's because many items will need to be stressed. 

Transgender people have made tremendous strides, as witnessed by the eight transgender people elected to public office in recent elections. However, there is still much misunderstanding and misinformation about who transgender are and the struggles that many face every day. Even in the LGB communities, the misunderstanding is surprising and sad. 

I will be reciting a poem at the ceremony. I'm wanting to convey the sadness of the transgender people lost in 2917 but also the successes we have had. We are not just survivors; we are victors living authentically in a world that wishes to silence us.

TDOR Ceremonies

A group of us is preparing for ceremonies for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It has been the bloodiest year for trans people. Besides honoring those who have passed, we want remember those who are living. There will be another planning session next week. Can't wait to see what we come up with.

TDOR

I went to the Transgender Day Of Remembrance ceremony at the Sage center last night. It was great to pay homage to the transgender people who we lost to violence and suicide. The names of the deceased were read. I recited a poem at the closing. There was song, prayer, remembrances and comaraderie.  

TDOR-VIctors

Tomorrow is Transgender Day Of Remembrance. We honor those sisters and brothers lost to violence by others or by their own hand. This year has been a tough year with at least 22 transgender reported  murders here in the US. It's much worse in Brazil and Mexico. Some day I hope that we never have to have TDOR. 

In the meantime, we should celebrate the living. Many of us who are older have been through the wars and have come through. I see us as victors. Yes, there's still much more work to be done but we can celebrate that we have come this far. 

TDOR at Sage

This year there will a Transgender Day of  Remembrance at the Sage Center here in New York for the first. I like the idea because it gives those of us who are seniors an opportunity to share our thoughts and remembrances of those we have lost. Final preparations are being made regarding the program. I'm looking forward to this event.

Thinking Out Loud

I know it's a good two plus months away from Transgender Day Of Remembrance ceremonies but already I'm considering how to participate this year. It's more emotional for me because of all the transgender women murdered this year, at least the ones that have been reported.

I haven't felt this way since the second year I participated. At that time, I was wondering if I could handle it emotionally. Then I came to the conclusion that I needed to go. Of course I will attend TDOR this year. There's still three months left in 2015. How many more transgender women will be killed? 

Transgender Day Of Remembrance 2014

On Thursday evening I will attend the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil at the community center here. I'm not sure if it get easier attending but I go nevertheless. I usually encourage the audience, sharing my experiences and at the same time challenging them to be who they are. 

This has been a tough year for transgender people especially in the last five months. With increased visibility has come attacks verbally and physically from politicians, churches, anti-trans groups and others. It won't stop us though. We've always existed and have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. 

This year I'm dedicating my TDOR day to Alex Medeiros who was beaten to death by his father to make a man out of him. Alex liked to wear his hair long, belly dance, and wear women's clothing . Alex was 8 years old.  

Transgender Day Of Remembrance

I looked at the memorializing 2014 section of the Transgender Day of Remembrance website. The list seems to be larger and younger. The youngest was eight years old. Brazil sees the most transgender women murdered and this year is no different. 

With the increased visibility has come the increased violence against trans women, the vast majority women of color. We're getting it from all sides from the religious right to trans-exclusion feminists to politicians to law enforcement. We are moving forward, however.  At TDOR vigils I make it a point to pay homage to one person. This year will be no different. I will make this decision at a later date. 

In the meantime, we all need to be vigilent at this important time in history. Remembrance vigils will be held in many places around the world. Please attend one to honor the sisters and brothers we have lost this year.

TDOR-It is Still Relevant

As you notice, I haven't posted here in several days. I wasn't feeling well, my sister was admitted into the hospital and found out that she had pneumonia. She home now and has a home aid to help out.

I did attend Transgender Day of Remembrance this past Wednesday. There were speakers, testimonies, and conversation. There were candles lit in remembrance of those we lost. I was moved by the testimony of a man who was taught many things by a transgender woman. The woman committed suicide. He paid his respects, thanking her for making a difference in his life. I hugged him before I went on. After the event, I saw him sitting on a bench in the hallway. I encouraged hi to stay strong. I told him that she will always be in his heart. 

I met a young cross dresser in the beginning stages of her transition. Elsie was happy to have come because she saw the many expressions of gender. I have been attending these events for the past eight years. Time has seen much progress but there's still a long way to go. It still hurts that so many are lost to violence and suicide. I said a few words encouraging every one to stay the course. People have taken notice that we mean business. 

Speaking On Wednesday At Day of Remembrance

I will be Transgender Day of Remembrance services on Wednesday. I do so every year. I'm thinking about what I will say because so much has happened in the past year. I've dedicated the year to Islan Nettles, a 21 year old transgender woman of color who was murdered about a mile from my residence.

It is important that transgender people stay vigilent. Our enemies have ramped up their efforts to deny us equality and we must continue our efforts not to let them keep us from having the same protections and rights they enjoy.

Beyond Labels

This past Thursday the Beyond Labels ministry at church met to discuss ideas for the coming year. Many wonderful ideas were presented. I mentioned that Transgender Day of Remembrance was coming up next month. I informed the group that I will be attending the ceremony at the community center. Some folks may come in support.

The assistant pastor is writing something about transphobia.  I am gathering materials about the origins of Transgender Day of Remembrance.  My wife stated publically that she fully supports me. One of my desires is to reach out to transgender people who may be stealth or struggling. What I'm really pleased about is that people of faith both LGBTQI and straight are involved in spearheading this outreach.

2012

This year has gone by so fast! The elections are less than a month away, transgender day of remembrance ceremonies come up next month,  and once again Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us. 

2012 has been a big year for transgender people in that many communities around the country are even discussing this issue. There have been some victories, some defeats. What has been consistent in my life is the desire to share with others what being transgender is. There have been inroads in my place of worship and within the community that I live in. I have seen more trans folks here and there on the street. The trans community is largely invisible. 

I'm aware of some concerns (safety) but I cannot let that stop me. With each passing day my trans identity is being defined and refined. I sense that there will be more internal changes in the future. I am thankful for an accepting and understanding mate who has come to terms with my transgenderism. 

TDOR

Tonight I will be attending Transgender Day of Rmembrance ceremony at the community center. I will be making a comment or two and perhaps read a poem. I find it more beneficial to encourage others because its greatly needed. I pray that others will be encouraged.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Last night I attended Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies at the community center. There was a candlelight vigil as about 150-200 people walked around a square block. Later there were speakers from various organizations. Persons from the audience shared their experiences.

I met a minister who attended for the first time. Mary and I talked about all the oppresion transgender people suffer in part from the religious community. Much of the vitriol against transgender people come from many pulpits. I shared with her that many people just don't know about transgender people because of what they hear from their pastors.

Reflecting on the evening, I am grateful to be transgender person. This is how I was created. I am saddened by many who have been lost to suicide. I related to Mary that I want to relate to people's spiritual needs as well as their physical needs. With each passing year, I see the advances we've had. I also see the struggles and setbacks. That won't stop me from doing what is right. We will be victorious!

There are Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies going on around the world at this moment. In my spirit I feel as if I'm there. As we remember those we've lost, let us love and appreciate those we have with us. Let's look out for each other, encourage one another, and tell them that they mean so much to us. By us demonstrating our love and concern for each other, the walls of injustice will come tumbling down.

~Genevieve

TDOR

On Thursday, I attended the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies at the community center here in New York. About 200 people marched around the block carrying candles in honor of those lost to violence. Back at the center, there were speakers and comments from people in the audience. Many related their experiences as transpeople and what the day meant to them. One trans man shared that he is still recovering from being attacked and raped.

I have ambivalent feelings about TDOR; I mourn for my brothers and sisters lost to violence and yet I am encouraged by the progress we have made. There were many young people present so I am confident that the future will be bright for transgender people. They are open about who they are and will not go into the closet.

On reflection, it is my duty that I attend TDOR. It's time for transgender people to stand up and make our presence felt. TDOR encourages me to keep pressing on in the march to transgender equality. I had the chance to read reports of TDORs in other parts of the country ad the world. Some places such as Africa have it worse tan we do here in the states. I am in full supports of my brothers and sisters all around the world. I pray that in the next year equality will be closer to reality.

Genevieve