If you’re walking on campus between Nov. 13 and Nov. 20, and you happen to notice the silhouettes of people displayed all over, then you have taken part in the week-long Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial.
This memorial will commemorate those killed as a result of “transphobia” or a hatred and/or fear of the transgendered. It is sponsored by the Bachelor School of Social Work (B.S.W.O.) and the student group Helping Others Promote Equality (H.O.P.E.)
Victoria Siegel, the president of H.O.P.E., wants to raise awareness of the violence. Siegel said, “These are people just like you and I, and they should not be judged on who they are. Everyone has a right to live their life and should not be harmed for it. ”
If you are interested in showing support for the event, or for more information contact B.S.W.O. at bswo@so.ric.edu or H.O.P.E at hope@so.ric.edu.
This day of remembrance (officially Nov. 20) was started in the year 1998 in honor of Rita Hester whose murder, like many transgender murder cases, is still gone unsolved. The memorial has evolved from a website into an international event. On the website, www.transgenderdor.org, anyone interested can find various memorials going on throughout the country and the world. The website also has a haunting list of transgendered people that have been killed (the where, when, and even how) throughout the years that this day of remembrance has been in existence; and also has some tips about how people can host their own memorial event.
RI will also be hosting an event on Nov. 20 in the Bell Street Chapel from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. sponsored by the non-profit organization Youth Pride. If interested please contact Hailee Malo at haileemalo@gmail.com.
