I have hesitated writing much about trans awareness week, and TDoR, which is today. For those that do not know, TDoR stands for Trans Day of Remembrance. It is a “holiday” in the trans (and queer) community, meaning that while, specifically for honoring the lives lost of trans and nonbinary people, queer people of all stripes come out to mourn and celebrate, at the same time.
It is such an odd sensation, to both mourn the dead, and fight like hell for the living…but this is where we are.
The first TDoR was held in 1999 in San Francisco, and organized by a trans activist by the name of Gwendolyn Ann Smith. The first one started as a vigil for Rita Hester, a trans woman who was murdered in November 1998. Since then, every November 20th, we have candlelight vigils, and solemn reading of poetry, and other meaningful words of commiseration; but, also filled with fight and an understanding that we will always push for the rights of all trans and nonbinary people.
Since dump has been in office, trans people have been under serious attack, and this will be a day to reinforce that, as trans and nonbinary people, we will pick up the hammer, and continue to pound away, until our rights are codified into law.
This year’s theme is “Lives Remembered. Futures Reclaimed.” That is a perfect way to sum up the pain, but desire to push on, especially for those who couldn’t, who didn’t, either due to violence (take your pick - societal, familial, bullies, unaliving.)
Egg and I plan on attending a candlelight vigil locally, or may be (in the absence of being there physically, will mourn and celebrate online ( as is the case nowadays ). I already have a candle lit, and that candle will stay lit until 12:01 AM November, 21.
Remember, every trans and nonbinary life lived, is an act of resistance, in the face of a country, nee, a world that wants us dead. I will continue to live. There were many points I wanted to die. There has been an attempt at unaliving myself. There have been many instances of self harm. But, I chose life, and I am glad I did. Things are not perfect, but I will continue to live my life for those who couldn’t. And my life will be an act of resistance.
Give trans and nonbinary people their flowers WHILE WE ARE STILL ALIVE. Do not wait until we are murdered or unalived to eulogize us. We are a beautiful group of people, each living life as we see fit (resistance, again.) I will, personally, fight, for my peeps in any way I can. I can use my words, as my proverbial pen can, at times, be a howitzer. And I will let it destroy the idea that trans and nonbinary people do not belong. I will continually fight for justice and liberation and freedom, and I encourage each, and every one of you, to pick up the mantle, and support your trans and nonbinary siblings, friends, and other family members, both chosen, and (sometimes) blood.
Remember, the phrase “every life lived is an act of resistance” means that survival and living according to our values is a form of resistance against oppression and destructive systems. Live. Live authentically. Live with pride. Just live!! That is the resistance when a large percentage of the population wants us dead.
This TDoR, let us mourn the dead (of course), but let us ALL commit to fighting for, at the very least, better living conditions for trans and nonbinary people. Let’s work towards a society at large, that does not want the 1% of the population exterminated.
Mourn, of course. Celebrate (that seems like such a strange and foreign concept) our similarities, and our differences. This makes us more than trans or nonbinary. This makes us human, and I beseech each and every one of you to pick up the mantle too!!
If you see fit, and do not want to become a paid subscriber, please consider buying me a tea, so I can continue to crank out these pieces. You can use the linky above. Thanks, dear friends, on this both solemn, and celebratory day.
