Today the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, Transgender Law Center, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, and the Trevor Project released the following statement regarding Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, 2010.

Transgender day of remembrance - 2010

Today we stand together as one community to remember and honour the lives cut short by anti-transgender intimidation and violence including:

– Amanda González-Andujar of New York, NY
– Ashley Santiago of Puerto Rico
– Dana A. “Chanel” Larkin of Milwaukee, WI
– Angie González Oquendo of Puerto Rico
– Sandy Woulard of Chicago, IL
– Victoria Carmen of Newark, NJ
– Stacy Blahnik Lee of Philadelphia, PA

We also call on mainstream and LGBT media to give voice to transgender people and continue to share stories about the lives of transgender people who inspire understanding and acceptance.

On this day when our community remembers those stories and victims of anti-transgender violence, we are reminded about the power of insults and slurs like “tra**y.” We should not use words that cause pain to others; especially words that transgender people too often hear before they are attacked in anti-transgender hate crimes.

Instead, we urge the LGBT community to speak out for transgender people – about their lives and who they are. Transgender people continue to remain largely invisible in our culture and as a result suffer job losses, discrimination and violence. Together, we must stand united as an LGBT community and allies marching towards an America where people are accepted for who they are.

For resources about transgender issues please visit:
www.hrc.org/issues/transgender.asp
www.transequality.org
www.transgenderlegal.org
www.glaad.org/transgender
www.transgenderlawcenter.org
www.thetaskforce.org/our_work/public_policy/transgender_civil_rights

The Trevor Lifeline is a free and confidential phone counselling service for young people who are experiencing a crisis. TrevorChat is a free, confidential and secure online messaging service that connects young people with a counsellor without having to pick up the phone. If you or someone you care about shows warning signs for suicide, please do not hesitate to call The Trevor Lifeline at: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386), or chat online with a counsellor at www.TheTrevorProject.org/chat.

Photo by transequality.org

Tagged:
About the Author

Publishes press/media releases of interest for the LGBTQ community.