On November 20, the community will come together on the campus of Old Dominion Unversity (ODU) for the Hampton Roads Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) a local celebration of transgender lives around the world – especially those lost to senseless violence each year.
This year, the event will again be led by the Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia (TAP VA) and other allied groups and will commemorate the 22 transgender persons murdered in 2019 and honor transgender persons who are attempting to live positive lives despite obstacles. The event will feature speakers, music, and community to celebrate and remember our friends and family, as well as learn how to be better advocates and allies for trans people, especially transgender persons of color who face violence and discrimination at disproportionately higher rates.
Featured speakers include the following:
- Xemiyulu Manisbusan Tapepechul is a heart of a Womxn, a Two-Spirit from Kuskatan, the land known internationally as El Salvador. She is the Artistic Director of Nelwat Ishkamewe, and the Director of Art & Culture of Trans-Latinx DMV. Xemi has had her plays produced in various festivals, and she has published 5 works of literature.
- Ahanu On is a Two-Spirit from the Blood Tribe and currently lives on unceded Piscataway land commonly known as DC. They are an artist, an advocate, a supporter, and a fighter for the Two-Spirit community. They help bring healing through the arts in the DMV area.
In the first ten months of 2019, there have been 22 murders of transgender persons, 21 of whom are women of color and another who died under the custody of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). TDOR serves to educate the community about the continued hostility towards transgender lives and the systemic transphobia that exists in our culture.
Joining TAP VA in organizing this annual event include the LGBT Life Center, New Life Metropolitan Community Church of Hampton Roads, Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity, Stonewall Sports Norfolk, Hampton Roads Pride, Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalist Church and PFLAG of Norfolk / South Hampton Roads.
This event is free and open to the public. The event details are below.
