Trans Day of Remembrance

(Image above: painting by Sunny Vincent Brettman.)

Breonna “BB” Hill, Itali Marlowe, Ja’Leyah-Jamar, Bee Love Slater, Bailey Reeves, Tracy Single, Bubba Walker, Pebbles La Dime Doe, Kiki Fantroy, Denali Berries Stuckey, Brooklyn Lindsey, Zoe Spears, Chanel Scurlock, Chynal Lindsey, Paris Cameron, Michelle “Tamika” Washington, Muhlaysia Booker, Claire Legato, Ashanti Carmon, Jazzaline Ware, Dana Martin, Layleen Polanco, Johana “Joa” Medina Leon.

According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation and the Human Rights Campaign, these are the transgender people that we know of who have been murdered in the United States so far this year. All but one were black transgender women. Every year on November 20, the transgender community across the nation comes together to remember and mourn those lost to violence.

On campus, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) chapter at UW Tacoma, the Center for Equity and Inclusion, the Gender Alliance of the South Sound, and the Rainbow Center have come together to honor these individuals, and to offer resources to the transgender community. Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Student Ella Lucente, president of the ACLU chapter at UW Tacoma, was involved in the planning of this year’s event.

“This campus, and this community in general, needs to understand, and needs to educate themselves,” Lucente said. “I want to show that this campus is on the transgender community’s side.”

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, there will be a resource fair from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Cherry Parkes Lobby. Planned Parenthood, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), SeaMar Community Health Centers and other organizations will be in attendance, offering resources and information for transgender and queer students and community members.

Shortly after, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Jane Russell Commons, there will be a vigil to remember those we have lost. All are welcome to attend and stand in solidarity with the transgender community. Light refreshments will be available.

Keynote speakers will include Dr. Jimmy McCarty, executive director of the UW Tacoma Center for Equity and Inclusion, Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello, and J Manny Santiago, the executive director of the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.