Dallas College held its first Transgender Day of Remembrance event in honor of transgender individuals who have lost their lives due to bigotry and violence.
The event took place Nov. 20 at Cedar Valley Campus and was accompanied by a virtual livestream through Microsoft Teams. The event started in 1999 as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman who was murdered in 1998.
Heather Daily, inclusive excellence program lead at Brookhaven Campus, said: “Transphobia is still really rampant in society, so holding days like these where we can really honor those who have lost their lives and bring awareness to show that they’re not forgotten and that the violence that continues is really horrible. We want to do what we can to minimize it and bring awareness so that it doesn’t continue.” Daily gave an introduction at the event.
The event was planned by Angel Ross, an ally and overseer of the women’s empowerment and LGBTQ+ program and inclusive excellence program lead at Mountain View Campus. The event featured a guest panel of three speakers: Shannon Walker, founder of nonprofit organization Nu Trans Movement Inc.; Twan McGary with the Trust The Process Project; and Stacey Monroe with the Trans Empowerment Coalition.
They shared their insights and personal experiences of being trans, and educated the audience about how to be allies and stand up for transgender individuals. Walker said: “If you are in a space where there is some offensive language or anti-trans rhetoric being spread, step up and be an ally and shut it down. That’s what we need.”
Attendees also received some insight into the struggles and dangers of being a transgender person, specifically in Texas. Walker said the state banned gender-affirming care for individuals who are 18 and under.
“That has increased the suicides amongst the kids that can no longer get the gender-affirming care that they’re used to getting,” Walker said. “I will not be silenced,” Ross said describing the event. “A lot of things that happen to minority trans people typically get swept under the rug, So ‘I will not be silenced’ just magnifies speaking your truth and what that looks like for you.”
Ross said there are many ways students and community allies can ensure they are advocating and creating safe spaces. This can start by having an open mind and educating themselves.
Ross said: “I think that’s where students can start, is being genuinely open-minded. Once you become open-minded, you’re open to education and wanting to learn about somebody else.” McGary said an example of this would be an individual introducing themselves and including their pronouns. Daily said: “Being able to amplify the voices of those who have those life experiences, communicating, speaking and learning from people who identify as being transgender. Going right to the source of it is how we eliminate that misinformation and amplify their voices.”
