Fort Lauderdale, FL: Each November, the worldwide transgender community turns its attention to its family, friends and loved ones lost to violence and prejudice. A tradition inspired by the a vigil for slain transsexual Rita Hester in 1998, this day has become the worldwide rallying point for a community long under siege.

This year, on Saturday, November 19th at 6:00pm, the South Florida community will gather at Sunshine Cathedral at 1480 SW 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, for a candlelight vigil. US Congressman Alcee Hastings will speak on the injustice and struggle suffered by our transgender brothers and sisters and what action Congress must take to protect the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community. A reception will follow the vigil. This is a free event and all are welcome to participate.

This year’s observance will also include “A Face to a Name”. A powerful exhibit to remember, mourn and honor the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. A series of posters will be displayed using pictures, actual statistics and other information as a tribute to our transgender brothers and sisters, who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender bias, prejudice or hatred, and serves to raise public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people.

“The Transgender Day of Remembrance provides us a time to remember our transgender brothers and sisters who were murdered and forgotten, simply for being themselves; it is also a time to highlight our daily struggle and the injustice we endure as transgender Americans”, stated Jacqui Charvet, co-founder of TERI.

South Florida’s Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Allied community extends a warm welcome to all who would like to attend this important event to memorialize our dead and underscore the serious suffering in our communities. No persons should be subjected to violence simply because of their gender identity or expression. No persons should be denied the basic rights that enable their safety and security. Please join with us on this day to remember those who are gone.

Event Sponsors:
Transgender Equality Rights Initiatives (TERI), Sunshine Cathedral, The Pride Center at Equality Park, T-House and Broward County Health Department.

Event Background:
Twelve years ago at this time, Boston’s LGBT community recoiled in horror at the discovery of the latest victim of transphobic violence. Rita Hester, a popular figure in the local rock ‘n roll scene, who also happened to be a transsexual, had been found brutally stabbed to death in her Brighton apartment. Like so many killings of gay and transgender persons, the victim was subjected to enough brutality to kill her many times over.

A local community of queer activists, rockers, family, friends and allies – over 250 of them – came together and held a speak-out and candlelight vigil in Rita’s honor, forming a human stream of light winding its way through Rita’s old Allston stomping grounds.

One year later, a memorial vigil was held in San Francisco; the following year Boston and a few other cities joined in, and this year hundreds of observances will be held in dozens of countries.

Submitted by:  Michael Rajner

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