International Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) in Brighton, will be marked with a community memorial service today, Sunday, November 22 at the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church starting at 2pm.
The day is for Trans people worldwide who have been murdered or have suffered violence due simply to hatred towards their gender identity and gender expression.
Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identifies as Trans, each is a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people.
It is poignant and relevant to the local Trans community as only a few years ago in 2009, Andrea Waddell was murdered in her home in Brighton. Andrea was a talented young woman who was well liked, sociable and loved life.
The vigil will include speakers from the community and singing by the Rainbow Chorus.
Attendees will be invited to ‘build’ a wall of remembrance by placing the names of the dead on the wall at Dorset Gardens Church.
The vigil will also include a minute’s applause to acknowledge those who have died.
Refreshments will be available immediately afterwards at the venue followed by a relaxed social at the nearby Marlborough pub.
The International Transgender Day of Remembrance is commemorated annually on November 20. This date was chosen in honour of an American woman, Rita Hester, who was murdered on November 28, 1998. Her death led to the Remembering Our Dead web project and the first candlelit vigil which was held in San Francisco in 1999. Like many transphobic murders, Rita’s remains unsolved.
Dorset Gardens Methodist Church stages the event as it hosts the weekly drop-in of the Clare Project. The memorial is multi-faith and open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of faith or non belief. The venue is also wheelchair accessible.
The service is being organised by the Trans Alliance, a forum which brings together the Trans organisations of Brighton & Hove for mutual support and partnership working.
For more details about Trans Alliance, click here:
For more information about TDoR, click here:
For more information about local trans community support view these websites:
www.clareproject.org.uk
www.ftmbrighton.org.uk
http://www.allsortsyouth.org.uk/groups/trans-youth-network/
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