Exhibition at Jubilee Library

The Transgender Day of Remembrance commemorates those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. This year Brighton is holding a vigil and an exhibition at the Jubilee Library.

The event is held to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28, 1998 kicked off the 'Remembering Our Dead' web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people.

Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. It mourns and honors the lives of people who might otherwise be forgotten. It also gives friends and supporters  a chance to step forward with trans people and stand in vigil, memorializing those who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.

In Brighton the day is being marked by a vigil on Saturday November 21 at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, 3.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

There will also be a small exhibition at the Jubilee Library all weekend, detailing and remembering people who have been killed in the last year. The City Council will be flying the Trans flag from both Town Halls.

For more information view:
www.transgenderdor.org/