Transgender Day of Remembrance - 11/20/08

Today is the 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance commemorating all those in the transgender community who lost their lives due transphobia, misunderstanding, and pure hate.

Prayer for Transgender Day of Remembrance

"God full of mercy, bless the souls of all who are in our hearts on this Transgender Day of Remembrance. We call to mind today young and old, of every race, faith, and gender experience, who have died by violence. We remember those who have died because they would not hide, or did not pass, or did pass, or stood too proud, or looked like someone who did. Today we name them: the reluctant activist; the fiery hurler of heels; the warrior for quiet truth; the one whom no one really knew.

As many as we can name, there are thousands more whom we cannot, and for whom no prayer may have been said. We mourn their senseless deaths, and give thanks for their lives, for their teaching, and for the brief glow of each holy flame. We pray for the strength to carry on their legacy of vision, bravery, and love.

And as we remember them, we remember with them the thousands more who have taken their own lives. We pray for resolve to root out the injustice, ignorance, and cruelty that grow despair. And we pray, God, that all those who perpetrate hate and violence will speedily come to understand that Your creation has many faces, many genders, many holy expressions.

Blessed are they, who have allowed their divine image to shine in the world.

Blessed is God, in Whom no light is extinguished.(CBST)"

Suggested actions for the day:
-Candlelight vigils / marches
-Visual representation of the number of deaths with:
-Cardboard tomb stones of remembered people
-Paper cutouts of remembered people
-Body outline chalkings of remembered people
-Art / photography displays

Please use the opporunity to commemorate a friend or loved one who has suffered due to transphobia, regardless of whether one is theist, atheist, and regardless of your particular faith, please keep those names in your heart today and think about how we can all work to make this world a better and more just place regardless of ones gender identity/expression.

Trans for Obama Day

I had no clue, but glad I didn't miss this. Today is officially "Trans for Obama" day where the trans community and allies are getting together to financially support Barack Obama/Joe Biden for the Presidential ticket.

"While transgender workplace diversity issues are not inherently tied to any political ideology, it is clear that Barack Obama is supportive of transgender workplace rights and that John McCain is not supportive of transgender workplace rights. The transgender community and its allies have a voice and political influence, and today the blogging community is working on exercising these with "Trans for Obama" blog day. We are asking people to donate $5 or more to Barack Obama's campaign for president via a fund set up for transgender people and their allies at https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/trans?refcode=therometer

I ask you to donate also to show that the transgender community is alive and well, and that there are many of us out there who are willing to stand up and be counted. It is easy to read this and do nothing, feeling that nothing will make a difference. I know that what I am asking takes courage and willingness to go beyond the feelings of helplessness that have been drummed into us by our national leaders. Please join me in standing up and being counted."

H/T Trans Work Place for the story.

National Survey on Transgender Experiences of Discrimination in the U.S.

You are invited to participate in a research project regarding transgender and gender non-conforming people in the United States. Your responses will be part of an important report on transgender people’s experiences of discrimination in housing, employment, health care and education.

"This is an absolutely critical national effort. We urge all transgender and gender non-conforming people to take the survey to help guide us in making better laws and policies that will improve the quality of life for all transgender people. We need everyone's voice in this, everyone's participation." Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality

https://online.survey.psu.edu/endtransdiscrim/