This year we went to the service in Detroit where over 200 names were read. It was a very emotional experience. But the day is not over so take some time today to remember those who have died.
Just because the Detroit and many other observances are over, it don't mean the message of Transgender Day of Remembrance is complete. The battle is still ongoing. We are still losing many more of our brothers and sisters to violence every hour.
But what can be done to stop this?
- It begins with people. Come out as a transgender ally. Let your friends know that you support rights for transgender people. If you are transgender, let people know it you are able. It is very hard to put down transgender if they personally are friends with a transgender or transgender ally.
- Report it. Most crimes (and even murders) against transgender goes unreported. Either the transgender nature of the crime is ignored, or authorities do not consider crimes against transgender as worth of investigation. The more people understand the extent of the problem, the harder it will be to ignore. In Michigan, Equality Michigan http://www.equalitymi.org/report helps to track these types of crimes.
- Support Transgender organizations. Such as Transgender Michigan, www.transgendermichigan.org
