Day of Remembrance

Monday, November 19 at 7:00 pm, my church (Unity Church of Clearwater) is holding a special service in observance of the 9th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Speakers will include:

• Ms. Susan Stanton, Transgender Advocate and Spokesperson and former City Manager of Largo


• Rev. Leddy Hammock and Ms. Sue Riley, Unity Church of Clearwater


• Revs. Abhi Janamanchi & Millie Rochester, Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater


• Rabbi Stephen Moch, Congregation B’nai Emmunah, Tarpon Springs


• Rev. Anton DeWet, Faith United Church of Christ, Clearwater


• Rev. Susan Sherwood, Good Samaritan Church, Pinellas Park


• Mr. Brian Winfield, Equality Florida


• Ms. Faith Rivera, Emmy award-winning musician

My partner Nickie and I will be ushers at the event; we hope to see you there. Unity is loacated at 2465 Nursery Rd. in Clearwater.

From Gender.org:

"The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 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.

"We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred-based violence. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. 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 transgendered people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence."