Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender 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. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who've died by anti-transgender violence.

The CT TransAdvocacy Coalition, Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford and many of our allies and community will be remembering those individuals who are brutally murdered simply because they did not conform to societies standards of what a "real man or woman" looks or acts like.

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Time/Place:
     5:15 PM Gathering at First Presbyterian Church, 136 Capitol Ave, Hartford
Vigil Walk from First Presbyterian Church to the State Capitol
     5:30 PM Rally at the State Capitol
     7:00 PM Transgender Day of Remembrance Program at Metropolitan Community Church, 155 Wyllys Street, Hartford

_{My dear friend Tessa, who is a fellow Connecticut resident, activist, and all-around good human being asked me to help spread the word about this event in Hartford next Thursday. Although this Day of Remembrance event does not take place on or especially close to Wesleyan's campus, I post it here because I feel that it will be of interest to the community. The contents of this post were adapted from her diary at MyLeftNutmeg.}

Tomorrow: Organizing workshop, queer/trans talk

Organizing Workshop with the Sylvia Rivera Law Project
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project is a collective non-profit centered on gender, racial, social and economic justice. Led by collective member Gael Guevara, this workshop is an opportunity for conversation and skill-building for organizing at Wesleyan and beyond, and for exploration of ideas like community, accountability, leadership, identity, and what it means to be an "activist."

Date: Tuesday, April 1
Time: 4:15 PM
Location: Daniel Family Commons

Resistance and Cooptation in Trans and Queer Political Struggles
Led by Dean Spade, founder of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and a lawyer, social justice activist, and radical thinker. His work is grounded in grassroots and collective models of organizing, empowerment, and social justice. He's currently teaching a class at Harvard on social movements and the law. Come listen to a talk and participate in discussion about important issues facing queer and trans social movements today.

Includes free dinner from Typhoon.

Date: Tuesday, April 1
Time: 6:15 PM
Location: Daniel Family Commons

Zarf, American's Favorite Transgender TV Star

Remember when we posted about Zarf? Well, now, Zarf has apparently become one of America's favorite soap opera stars, wowing the nation with over-the-top theatrics and goth-rock inspired drama.

Anyway, the point is, you NEED to watch this. Best Week Ever has been posting some great clips from All My Children, for your consideration.