GLSEN Ambassador Shares Thoughts On Transgender Day of Remembrance

Abi Peña is a GLSEN Student Amabassador from Connecticut who has been working with GLSEN for two years.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to reflect about those who were the victim of a hate crime and died, which will hopefully result in actions taken to make people and communities more accepting of transgender individuals.

I would like others to learn about transgender discrimination, and the ridiculously unfair and inhuman things done to them that go unreported. I want young students to be motivated to make change in their school, their communities, and their hearts. For TDOR, my school's QueerSA (Bard College at Simon's Rock) had a vigil on the steps of our music center and read aloud the names of people who were murdered for not fitting the gender binary.

We also put up fliers around campus showing facts about transgender assaults, transgender deaths, and stories of people who died and how they were murdered. If I could give anybody advice who is struggling with their gender identity, I would tell them to find a support system, whether it be a youth group, friend, even a pet; the worst feeling is thinking no one understands and that no one will accept you.

Find ways to connect yourself to outlets accepting of fluid gender identities. I personally know many people who took into consideration the openness and acceptance of GLBT people when looking for colleges to go to. There are people out there who have resources to help those who have been kicked out or lost their way, and if you look hard enough, you'll find them.

How do gender rules or categories affect your life at school?

Not only is Transgender Day of Remembrance a way to honor and celebrate
the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming people, it's also a
great moment to look at how gender affects our lives and our schools.

Gender categorization is everywhere, including the books we're supposed
to like, the school subjects we're supposed to be good in, even the
jobs we're expected to have! These gender rules can be tough to follow
for all students, not just for transgender and gender-nonconforming
people.

So think, where do you see gender at your school? How does
gender affect you?

How can YOU honor the lives of those who were killed because of transphobia?

Transgender Day of Remembrance occurs on Nov. 20 each year in commemoration of the murder of Rita Hester, a trans woman from outside Boston, Massachussets who was stabbed to death in 1998. She was well-liked in the community, who responded to the news with a large vigil. This began the effort to pay respects to all people who are killed as a result of transphobia via a website, www.RememberingOurDead.org and the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. This year over 100 deaths worldwide are listed on TransgenderDOR.org .

So tell us, how can you and/or your GSA honor the lives of those who were killed because of transphobia?

How do gender-based slurs make you feel?

Did you know 90% of transgender students heard negative remarks about someone’s gender expression sometimes, often, or frequently in school? And a third of transgender students heard school staff make homophobic, sexist, and negative comments about someone’s gender expression at school in the past year!

Attacks on trans and gender-nonconforming people usually start with a slur. By addressing gender-based bias language in school you're encouraging people to think before they speak, and that can go a long way in the fight against transphobia.

So do you hear gender-based slurs in school? What do you hear most often? How do these words/phrases make you feel? Join the conversation at the Gay-Straight Alliances Facebook Page.

Also be sure to check out Harsh Realities, the first comprehensive study on the experiences of transgender students in schools.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is Friday, Nov 20!

The International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is this Friday, November 20. TDOR is a time to recognize those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. To lead up to this important day we will be posting discussion topics throughout the week here and at the Gay-Straight Alliances Facebook Page. Stay tuned!

Learn more about the Transgender Day of Remembrance here.