Yesterday, afternoon, more than 90 persons from throughout Hampton Roads met at New Life Metropolitan Community Church (New Life MCC) to commemorate the 2017 Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR).
Attendees at the event, organized by New Life MCC and the LGBT Life Center, were welcomed by Rev. Mark Byrd and Mr Christopher Reybrouck, Chief Development Officer of the LGBT Life Center. The event served to remember the 25 transgender persons killed during 2017 simply for being transgender. During the ceremony, area clergy were invited to speak, attendees were allowed to share their personal experiences and become personally involved in the candlelighting and sand ceremonies. The following video tribute was put together by Michelle Reed of the LGBT Life Center.
Mr. Taryn Mclean, spoke of his experiences being transgender and an active member of the Navy,, followed by featured e-speaker by Jackson Bird. Ms. Tona Brown, Norfolk native, alum of the Governor’s School of the Arts and first transgender person of color to perform at Carnegie Hall, gave the final remarks of the evening and sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The ceremony ended with a group sing of “I Sing My Gender”
Refreshments followed the ceremony during fellowship hour. Photos from the event can be found below.
[rev_slider TDOR17]
