17-11-04

Candlelight Vigil For Transgender Day Of Rememberance.

Violent murders of those perceived as transgendered continues at a rate of at least one death a month internationally. These cases continue to be under reported and are unlikely to be prosecuted. Due to continued need, the 6th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place on 20 November 2004.

“There’s a world wide increase of violence toward transgendered people and in New Zealand we are not immune from this”, Claudia McKay, President of Agender said. “And therefore we have a responsibility to raise awareness and acknowledge those who have died.”

The issue of anti-transgender violence has gained increasing prominence in the last several years, with films such as “Boys Don’t Cry” highlighting the issue. The brutal murder in South Auckland last February bring attention to the fact that this anti-transgender violence is happening in New Zealand.

Last year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance was honored with events in over 90 locations in 8 countries. This year’s events are expected to surpass those of 2003 with this being the first of its kind in New Zealand.

Tex Starr, who attended the inaugural event in San Francisco in 1999 said “We will do whatever we can to get the message out that violence is not an acceptable response.

The Remembering Our Dead project www.rememberingourdead.org exists to honor individuals murdered as a result of anti-transgender hatred and prejudice, and to draw attention to the issue of anti-transgender violence. Remembering Our Dead is a project of Gender Education and Advocacy Inc, USA and supported by Agender in New Zealand. All transgendered people, supporters and families are invited to attend. We send a special invitation to those who have lost transgender family members or friends to join us at Civic Square Wellington on the 20th November 2004 at 8pm.

ENDS

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