LGBT holds vigil for fallen friends

International day of remembrance held to focus on transgender lives

Nick DiMarco

On Thursday, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community huddled together in the cold to read off the names of people who died as a result of anti-transgender hate crimes.

The event for International Transgender Day of Remembrance was held at the Speaker’s Circle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to honor those who have passed.

“We have a vibrant transgender population at Towson. These students are directly affected by the same discrimination…and violence that faces all transgender individuals,” Maren Greathouse, director of LGBT student development, said.

“As a community it is so important to come together in support of actions to better support these students, to encourage closeted transgender students to feel affirmed in their identity, and to take action against events, policies and attitudes that compromise the basic dignity of all transgender people. It affects people we take classes with, are friends with and know personally.”

The Day of Remembrance was part of a weeklong series of events that focused on the lives of transgender people. The week included a screening of the film, “Red Without Blue,” a panel discussion titled “Trans on Campus,” and more.

In an e-mail, Greathouse explained the significance and need for the vigil.

“It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten,” she wrote.

“Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers.”

She also mentioned that it gave LGBT allies, people who are heterosexual but support LGBT issues and viewpoints, a chance to stand together for the same cause.

Greathouse was recently appointed as director of LGBT student development and has begun cultivating a series of events that advocate for gay rights.

“These needs are so significant and fundamental: access to employment, access to housing, access to proper health care, insurance coverage, ability to change identification,” Greathouse wrote.

“However, these needs are often secondary to the basic needs of safety: safety to walk down the street, safety in bathrooms, safety from police brutality. Many transgender individuals are subject to routine violence at the hands of individuals who have anti-transgender bias, and many are violently killed or brutally injured due to this hatred.”

The next event is planned for Monday, December 1, when Towson will host a World AIDS Day event.

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