Village Vigil, March Mark
Trans Day of Remembrance
BY MATT TRACY
New York Transgender Advocacy
Group (NYTAG) cofounder
Tanya Asapansa-
Johnson Walker stood on
a pedestal at the Christopher Street
Pier on November 20, Transgender
Day of Remembrance, and read name
after name of transgender people who
have lost their lives this year — and
she then asked the crowd if other
names should be added to that list.
One name was called out, and then
another, and another. It was a refl ection
of the ongoing deadly violence
facing transgender folks — particularly
trans women of color — during a
year when at least 22 trans folks have
been killed domestically. According
to a report by Transrespect Versus
Transphobia Worldwide , there have
been a total of 331 cases of reported
killings of trans and gender non-binary
folks around the globe between
October 1 of last year and September
30, 2019.
The crowd gathered alongside Gays
Against Guns and NYTAG on the edge
of the Hudson River for an emotional
vigil at the pier before marching to
Christopher Park across the Stonewall
Inn. Gays Against Guns activists,
dressed in their usual white veils
and holding photos of trans folks who
have died, shined a spotlight on the
nature of the violence facing the community:
Guns have been involved in
at least 14 of the known transgender
people who have been killed in the US
this year, according to NYTAG.
While the focus was understandably
placed on those who have lost
their lives, community leaders also
reminded everyone to help trans
people who are still alive today. NYTAG
co-founder Kiara St. James said
there must be efforts to provide investments
and opportunities for the
transgender community, including
trans-led organizations.
“Today is a day about honoring,
but also celebrating,” she said. “I am
about making sure we are uplifting
one another, that we are celebrating
our resilience. For those of us who
have the privilege to still have breaths
C O M M U N I T Y
➤ REMEMBRANCE, continued on p.27
DONNA ACETO
Kiara St. James, a co-founder of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group, addresses the crowd at the
Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil in the West Village November 20.
DONNA ACETO
Members of Gays Against Guns carry pictures of transgender people killed in violent attacks.
DONNA ACETO
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Gays Against Guns’ Cathy Marino-Thomas.
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