Exploring Gender : Transgender Day of Remembrance

Details: Published on Wednesday, 16 November 2011 23:47; Written by Cael

transgender-day-remembrance

Since its founding in 1998, the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) has been held internationally to help us remember those who have been killed because of prejudice and hatred. This year, the day falls on Sunday, November 20^th. Not only will we honor the memory of Rita Hester, whose death led to the founding of TDOR, but we will also pay tribute to those who have been listed in the news this year and others and those who have not.

Visiting TDOR’s website, transgenderdor.org, is devastating, seeing the faces of the men and women who have lost their lives only for being themselves. Each year is carefully documented, listing how an individual died, a location, a name, and sometimes not even a name, not even a photograph.

Remembering is such an important part of moving forward, of knowing the boundaries and being motivated to break them. We need to remember there is danger in simply being one’s self, but also to find strength in the bravery of those who have lost their lives. There is a fine balance, but the only way to continue fighting back, to keep affecting change, is simply to keep living, keep moving, keep being the people we are. And to remember. So on this TDOR, take a moment. Visit the website. Take the time to realize the sacrifices and to renew your dedication to equality. And never forget.