Transgender Day of Rememberace

Transgender day of Remeberance, Nov 20 , 2010
I attended a TDOR that was held at St Pauls Lutheran church in Teaneck. It was not a large gathering id say about 20 or so people came out, many were in or part of the TG community. As usual it was solemn occasion, with songs of praise and reading of each transgendered person who died for who they were.
During the reading of the names and how their stories, one put a tear in everyone’s eye, it was
Roy Antonio Jones III
Location: Southampton, NY
Cause of Death: Punched repeatedly and grabbed by the neck
Date of Death: August 1, 2010 Roy was 16 Months old.
Note: 20 year old Pedro Jones told police he had struck the infant several times with a closed fist. Jones said he was “trying to make him act like a boy instead of a little girl.”

This was the saddest and most tragic of them all. After the ceremony we all walked to the reception area to talk and thank the sponsors that helped put the program together.
As I was talking and chit chatting with friends I saw this young lady in the corner alone.
I walked up to her and started talking to her.
This young lady who just came to see what a TDOR was, had no connection to the trans community or know a trans person. She wanted to learn about the people that lost their lives for who there were. I got to know this young lady and she is an extraordinary woman who wants to learn more about the community to make this world a happier place. I have not disclosed her name or other information as I do not want her to have problems if any, but I rather be safe than sorry. I was glad that she came out and I wish more people like her would come out and talk to us, so we can show you we are just like you. She has a beautiful soul and a beautiful person and she reminds me of a young Tina Fey, (her resemblance). I hope I have made a new friend with this young lady, she has a huge heart and awesome personality. oh one thing i didn't ask was "what was her initial assumption or feeling before she came, and was her assumption correct or not?"

This yrs TDOR in Teaneck is a first of many to come, and though I don’t really agree to always have this kind of ceremony I would rather see more of a community outreach and doing something more like what we do on MLK day. I understand the need to remember those that came before us and those that died for who they were, but we need to also learn and move forward and educate the community or communities that we are involved in. its just not adults that suffer or have problems, children do also. We should teach and educate our children to not be prejudice, become bullies or have bigotry comments and actions, but to make them a person that cares and stands up for others.

So I say to remember these that died we must go out there and educate people that we meet. To show then that we are just like them, we are human beings with rights and we have friends and family and that we are productive members of society and in out community.

Here is the link to TDOR
http://www.transgenderdor.org/?page_id=1194