From a press release, a local group is organizing an event around a national day of remembrance. Candlelit downtown march and a showing of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (really).
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Asheville, NC, November 20, 2012
The Asheville, NC, activist group, Just Us for All, has organized an event to focus the community on the continual murders and mistreatment of transgender people.
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is a day that memorializes those who have been killed as a result of transphobia, or the hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people, and acts to bring attention to the unrelenting violence endured by the transgender umbrella community. TDoR was founded in 1998 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender graphic designer and activist, to memorialize the murder of Rita Hester in Alliston, Massachusetts. Since its start, TDoR has been held annually on November 20th, and has slowly evolved into an international day of action. In 2010, TDoR was witnessed in over one hundred eighty five cities throughout approximately twenty countries.
” The primary goal is to remember and mourn the victims of transphobia. One in twelve transgender people in America are murdered. The second purpose is to expose this epidemic in hopes of educating people about it. Many people do not understand what the Trans* community endures daily. ” said Just Us For All President and Founder Samuel “Basil” Soper.
Just Us for All asks all that want to be involved to come together to encourage all of Asheville to pay their respects and take a stand against discrimination. A silent candle lit vigil will commence at the Vance Monument (N.Pack Square), where members of the community will read the names and stories of those that have passed away.
The event will start at the Thomas Wolfe Civic Center Auditorium (87 Haywood Street) at 6:30 pm and the event will last until 8pm at The Vance Monument. People are encouraged to dress warmly.
For more information on Just Us For All, please go to:www.justusforall.org
Facebook page for the national event is here.