The BG News

In what was described as a "somber" evening, the Transgendered Awareness Days held its fourth event of the week last night to mourn the victims of violence against transgendered people.

It was the third year in a row that the event, the Transgender Day of Remembrance, was held at the University. It featured two short films, a number of speakers, and a candlelight vigil and march across campus.

The event was co-sponsored by VISION, the Women's Studies Program, Women's Center, American Culture Studies Department, Ethnic Studies Program and the Social Justice Task Force.

Grad student Joelle Ruby Ryan, the chair of the Transgender Awareness Days committee, said that the event was one of hundreds being held around the world yesterday.

"It truly is an international event," she said in an interview.

The night began with two short films, "Remembering Rita" and "Isn't It Obvious?" that dealt with the killings of transgendered women in Boston and California.

After the speakers, those in attendance gathered in a circle to read the names and stories behind transgendered people that were killed in the last year, saying "we will remember" in unison as each was finished.

After a brief vigil, the group walked to Saddlemire Student Services building, carrying the candles and signs and speaking again the name of each transgendered person killed.

Transgenders are those who are usually biologically male or female but choose to express the gender of the opposite sex. Ryan said approximately two transgendered people were killed each month around the world, but that there continued to be little discussion on the issues surrounding those killings in response.

She said that events like this, even with a history on campus, were not resonating with students.

"I'd say, to be honest, there's not a lot of response, at least for the two years that I've done it," Ryan said. "I'm not sure that the campus as a whole necessarily knows about this issue."

"I'd like to see more awareness in the campus and community at large about this issue," she said.

"The reality is that this is happening everywhere."

Angelica Johnson, a freshman, said that although she went out of curiosity, she ended up being touched by the victims' stories.

"I thought it was very sad how ignorant people are and how judgmental they can be when only God can judge you," she said.

She too noticed the lack of student response, especially among people she knew, and questioned how many on campus cared about the issue.

"I don't really think they care," she said.

Although most of those in attendance were united in their cause, the night featured a number of different viewpoints.

Julie Haught, a University English and women's studies professor, stressed the importance of community awareness through events like the Day of Remembrance.

"What's happening this week is very important, and it's vital to the life of this community," Haught said.

"We gather here peacefully," she said. "We are saying that these lives matter."

Marlene Bomer, the moderator of Transgender Toledo, talked about his own personal transgendered experiences and his support in continuing the cause.

"I've had to use the back door of a facility because the people in the front office were offended by me," she said.

"We are not going to go away, no matter what they try to do to beat us down," Bomer said.

Bomer was not the only speaker who was vigorous in promoting their activism.

"I believe that we are living in a poisonous climate," said Jeanie Ludlow, a professor of Women's Studies. "I'm angry that these siblings have been lost to us," she said.

"Action is the only appropriate response."

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