Pictured
Photo #1 Outside the State of Illinois Center Nov. 19
#2 Rev. Bradley E. Michelson and #3 Diana Williamson. Photos by Tracy Baim
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Several dozen people gathered outside the State of Illinois Center Nov. 19 to mark the annual Day of Remembrance candlelight vigil for all trans people who were killed because of their gender expression during the past year.
Illinois Gender Advocates sponsored the event, which included a reading of the names of 17 transgendered individuals known to have been murdered in the past year. As the names were read, candles on 17 chairs placed on the stage behind guest speakers were snuffed out, one by one.
Some of the victims made headlines, but most were cases barely mentioned in media reports.
"The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder in 1998 kicked off the 'Remembering Our Dead' Web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999," according to the Web site www.gender.org . "Since then, the event has grown to encompass memorials in dozens of cities across the world."
The most recent victim listed on the Web site is Stanley Van Dyke Traylor, 38, who came to Oakland, Calif., from Louisiana. Police found Traylor dead of multiple gun shot wounds Nov. 6.
Another recent murder was "Sindy" Cuarda, Sept. 30 in San Pablo, Calif., shot multiple times, reportedly in the chest and genitals. Cuarda, 24, lived in Richmond, Calif., after emigrating from Acapulco, Mexico about two years ago.
Tamyra Michaels, who had been living full-time as a woman since she was 17, was found shot to death Dec. 14, 2002 in Highland Park, Mich.
Michael Charles Hurd was shot to death June 18, 2003, in Houston, Texas. Hurd was found shot in a car, and was found wearing a wig, makeup, and feminine attire.
Trans violence happens worldwide, and the Web site reports on deaths in other countries, including Honduras, Brazil, Italy, Canada, and Guatemala.
"Amirilis" was shot to death Aug. 3 of this year in Guatemala City, Guatamala. Like another victim, Jorge Rafael Cruz, this 28-year-old was murdered by several individuals. Her killers made several passes around her in a car, first making complimentary comments before attacking her with water balloons, then tossing an apple at her on a return trip. When Amirilis made angry comments back at them for pelting her, they shot and killed her.
And the list goes on and on. It is a reminder that while cases like Matthew Shepard garner a national spotlight, there are also killings averaging more than one a month transgender individuals.
One of the rally's speakers was Rev. Bradley E. Michelson of New spirit Metropolitan Community Church in Oak Park.
"Each of us is made in the image of God that is pure love. God also knew each of the 17 transgender victims of violence that we remember here today, before they were born. ... Today, God is mourning with us, for 17 pieces of God's heart which have been broken by hate that causes death," Michelson said. "God cries for justice. Each and every instance of hate for transgender people that leads to killing needs to be investigated, and those responsible brought to justice."
"Today God cries because this world of violence and hate is killing God. So many ignorant people ... bring the belief that they think God does not love transgender people. ... This misguided notion leaves many to believe that violence against transgender people is OK. It is not OK," he said.
"We're here because of murder. Shot to death. Stabbed to death. Bludgeoned to death. Seventeen times in the past 12 months here in the U.S., many more of our transgender sisters and brothers worldwide," said Beth Plotner of Illinois Gender Advocates. "Why. Because these people chose to be themselves. We are supposed to live in a country that cherishes differences. ... This country that preaches about human rights, yet we have our own sad record when it comes to human rights."
Other speakers included Kim Mongoven of Amnesty International, who addressed the international nature of epidemic. Bill Greaves, Mayor Daley's LGBT liaison, spoke of the city's legislative support of trans individuals. And Diana Williamson read the names of those lost to trans-related violence, as the symbolic candles were put out.
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