On Nov. 20, Rehoboth TransLiance in conjunction with Safe Harbor United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth, held the second annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
As co-founder and creator of Rehoboth TransLiance, I would like to express my gratitude for the loving support of these congregations. A special thank you goes out to the Rev. Diane Fisher of MCC. Rev. Fisher was instrumental in organizing and coordinating this event.
This was the second annual TDOR event, and the second time we have been graced with her sermons. The Rev. Chet Carbaugh of Safe Harbor UCC also provided words of condolence and inspiration.
We were also blessed with a transitional composition provided by international composer Guillermo Silveira.
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. https://www.glaad.org/tdor
Unfortunately, TDOR has become even more vital because of the current political climate. The Republican leadership is trying to erase transgender, non-binary and gender-nonconforming people. Bigotry and hate have become emboldened by leadership that seeks to eliminate civil rights granted to every other citizen. They have already eliminated protections for transgender prisoners.
This week we heard of a transgender asylum seeker who was beaten to death. Our leadership seeks to eliminate transgender citizens who loyally serve our military.
They want to deny children scholastic and athletic opportunities. The macro aggression of this administration has inspired relentless micro aggressions of right-wing conservatives based on misinformation, lies and baseless innuendo.
Fortunately, we have these congregations at MCC and UCC to provide safe refuge and acceptance. These churches are all-accepting and all-inclusive. These congregations are using their grace to shine light in the dark places where hatred and bigotry hide.
Ti amo con tutto il cuore. I love you with all my heart.
Kathy Carpenter Brown
Rehoboth Beach
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.
