So, you may well ask – Alexus, what on earth is Trans Day of Remembrance, and why should we care about it? Good question, glad you asked it.
A bit of history then. Trans Day of Remembrance, or TDoR was started in 1999 by trans advocate Gwendolyne Ann Smith, as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a trans woman who was killed in 1998. This initial vigil began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance and commemorates and remembers the trans people lost to violence.
As to why you should care…..
I’ve attached a link to a list of trans people who have lost their lives since 1 October 2019.
https://tdor.translivesmatter.info/reports
I hope that you will see how important this day is to the trans community, and will feel love, compassion and empathy for your fellow human beings.
I would also like to talk in general terms about other issues that are currently affecting trans people, and I think ties in with the overall theme of TDoR.
As a trans person and particularly a trans woman, I feel that my identity, my life, is constantly being questioned, examined and debated. I’m pretty thick skinned but I have never felt so attacked, whether it is via the media or online by individuals and groups. The atmosphere is becoming increasingly toxic, the ‘debate’ more and more heated. It’s all quite depressing at times to be honest.
Should this be concerning to you if you are not trans? Well, putting aside your empathy and compassion, what if someone in your family is struggling with their gender identity and is too scared to speak to someone? What if a friend or loved one is trans and facing abuse on a daily basis, with the knock on negative effect on their general wellbeing?
Where there is a real or perceived hostile atmosphere, no one, let alone a trans person, would feel comfortable or safe. And no one at all wants to live their life feeling like that.
Finally, if you are trans or non-binary and want support or someone to talk to, then please email me at alexussavage@blgbt.org or phone 0121 643 0821.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Alexus Savage, Trans Wellbeing Support Worker
Tuesday 21st February, 6.45pm for 7pm showing
Birmingham LGBT Centre, 38-40 Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1EQ
FREE for LGBT + allies of all ages
Bringing the Silver Screen to LGBTQ Birmingham and Friends, we show the Classics to New Releases.
Journey Film Club aims to show a variety of different types of films to suit all tastes, on first and third Tuesdays of the month.
You choose what you want to bring along and share: We hold film meetings every so often to agree a future film schedule, what films we are going to watch and when, and who is going to bring the film.
Doors open for 6.45pm for 7pm start. Showing: To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995) 1 hour, 49 mins.
You are welcome to just turn up, or contact Journeyfilmclub@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk for more details.
Sunday 26th February, 5pm – 7pm
Illuminate is a non-religious space with no formal liturgy sacred and secular music playing. Some silence is observed in a darkened room, a discussion follows led by a group member or an informal chat in the second half.
It is a space for reflection and inspiration without a particular religious dimension.
You are welcome to just turn up, or contact Loz on lbradley1990@outlook.com for more details.
Sunday 19th February, 5pm – 7pm
Illuminate is a non-religious space with no formal liturgy sacred and secular music playing. Some silence is observed in a darkened room, a discussion follows led by a group member or an informal chat in the second half.
It is a space for reflection and inspiration without a particular religious dimension.
You are welcome to just turn up, or contact Loz on lbradley1990@outlook.com for more details.
Sunday 12th February, 5pm – 7pm
Illuminate is a non-religious space with no formal liturgy sacred and secular music playing. Some silence is observed in a darkened room, a discussion follows led by a group member or an informal chat in the second half.
It is a space for reflection and inspiration without a particular religious dimension.
You are welcome to just turn up, or contact Loz on lbradley1990@outlook.com for more details.