The Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20, 2008) is set aside to remember those lost to anti-transgender violence in the last year.  Much of this violence is fueled by a sentiment that it is tacitly and explicitly reinforced by narrow understandings of gender, as well as outright transphobia and homophobia expressed in the name of a Christian God. Too many of us have not only heard "God condemns you" -- but also "It would be better if you were dead."

It is a profound and important step for every faith community to join in a resounding chorus that condemns all forms of violence against people who are differently gendered. 

• By vocally condemning anti-trans bullying, harassment, and hate crimes, we begin to chip away at the self-righteous fuel that feeds those who believe they are doing God's will by punishing the differently gendered.
• By loudly proclaiming that people of all genders are beloved, we begin to address the rampant rate of depression and suicide among transgender youth and adults that so to often encouraged by religious judgment.
• By reaching out in love to the transgender community, we begin to undermine the isolation and low self-esteem that can undergird substance abuse and high-risk behaviors (which inform high rates of HIV and AIDS).

Beyond the hate and judgment, trans people's lives are at risk because we so often struggle to meet our most fundamental needs such as safe employment and basic health care. Faith communities need to be out in front of such justice issues as well.

So, this year, let us (re)commit ourselves to the work of speaking up and speaking out, to the work of educating ourselves and educating others, to the work of reaching out in love.

Chris Paige
Publisher, TransFaith Online

Followup reading:

• NCTE Health Priorities: www.nctequality.org/HealthPriorities.pdf
• TransFaith InterSections: www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/
• TransFaith - Where do we begin? www.transfaithonline.org/the_basics/where_do_i_begin/

www.nctequality.org/HealthPriorities.pdf

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TRANSFAITH ON-LINE (www.transfaithonline.org) is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.

Please consider, this Transgender Day of Unemployment Remembrance, making space not only to honor not only the dead, but also to pause and remember the names and sacred concerns of so much of the Transgender community that is cut off from good, decent jobs.

So much of the Transgender community is unemployed, has experienced job discrimination, has been exploited by working without job security, or has lost hope and turned to high-risk methods for finding survival income.

As we regroup after the divisive debates around the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and whether or not the United States if ready for Transgender and Gender Variant people to receive protection under the law, let us pause remember the lives that are at stake.

Let us pause to remember that the inability to find a safe employment situation is a life and death problem.  It is a contributing (if not causal) factor in our community's suicide rate, struggle with addictions, and risk for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

It's not just violent hate crimes that lead Transgender death.  In turning our backs on employment discrimination, we are contributing to the already dismal Transgender mortality rates.

See also "I am Transgender" (poem): www.transfaithonline.org/articles/the_struggle/iamt/

See also Alice's Story: www.transfaithonline.org/articles/the_struggle/alice/

Planning Your Transgender Day of Remembrance observance

Don't miss the new UFMCC Transgender Day of Remembrance resource kit (includes sample vigil and worship materials, as well as promotional materials) at: www.mccchurch.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Resources/Transgender/TransgenderDayofRemembrance/TDOR.htm

Rev. Paul Turner has also shared a community prayer and a litany with TransFaith, in observance of this year's TDOR.  Check the TransFaith TDOR page for these resources and much more: www.transfaithonline.org/go/TDOR/

About TransFaith Online and the Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on November 20th each year to remember those who have died from anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.  See also: www.gender.org/remember/day/what.html

TransFaith Online will be observing the 9th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20, 2007. During that day, the entire TransFaith website will be draped in a black Transgender Day of Remembrance banner, which will include a list of TDOR resources. See also: www.transfaithonline.org/go/TDOR/

TransFaith Online is dedicated to supporting Transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help Church folks become better educated trans-allies.

TransFaith Online is encouraging LGBT friendly congregations to observe the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) in your community as a way to raise awareness and continue to educate your congregations about Transgender concerns. See also: www.gender.org/remember/day/what.html

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on November 20th each year to remember those who have died from anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. This 9th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20, 2007) coincides with Congressional deliberation on Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which has recently been stripped of any protection for transgender and gender variant individuals (formerly H.R. 2015. now H.R. 3685). It is an important time to highlight the violence and discrimination that remains a persistent threat to the well-being of every gender variant individual. See also: www.unitedenda.org

TransFaith Online is compiling an index of resources for your TDOR observance at: www.transfaithonline.org/go/TDOR/

We are also seeking additional TDOR resources to be shared with other congregations. Please contact us with ideas or contributions! ( www.transfaithonline.org/go/email )


About TransFaith Online and the Transgender Day of Remembrance

TransFaith Online will be observing the 9th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20, 2007. During that day, the entire TransFaith website will be draped in a black Transgender Day of Remembrance banner, which will include a list of TDOR resources. See also: www.transfaithonline.org/go/TDOR/

TransFaith Online is dedicated to supporting Transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help Church folks become better educated trans-allies.

"If any of you would like more information about transgender people and our/their place in the faith community, this is the place to go!" ~ Virginia Mollenkott, author of Omnigender: A Trans-Religious Approach.