Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day held to honor those who have passed as a result of anti-transgender violence.
TDOR is held annually nationwide on Nov. 20 and was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith, according to glaad.org/tdor.
Myekale Novy, president of the Brite Signal Alliance club at Sinclair Community College said this is one of the first times that the event on campus has fallen on the respective date.
“There’s an organization that collects names worldwide of transgendered [individuals] who have lost their life due to hate crimes,” he said. “We use it as a time to remember those that we have lost.”
Novy said an individual is transgendered when his or her identity differs from the gender that they were biologically born.
“It’s an internal fight that many deal with,” he said. “Trying to be true to yourself, and at the same time, trying to be safe and trying to protect yourself.”
Novy said there are transgendered students on campus and knowledge and awareness of transgender is important at the college.
During the event, a film screening entitled “Austin Unbound” is going to be held in the Green Room in Building 2, Room 334, following a candlelit vigil in the quad.
Novy said “Austin Unbound” is about a transgendered man who is deaf. In the screening it shows a woman and her transgendered progression into becoming a man.
“It shows the struggles he has gone through to get where he is now,” he said.
Novy said there will also be a short meet-and-greet starting at 6 p.m. before the screening, following a Q and A panel afterward.
“Once all that has been completed, we will have a candlelit vigil where we will have the reading of the names,” he said.
All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend both the film screening and the vigil.
“As long as it is known, it can’t be ignored,” he said. “This does happen, regardless of where you are in the world.”
Brittany West, vice president and secretary of BSA, said she believes the day is held for support.
“People in the community can see that there are people that are going to come,” she said. “Because they care and they want to help, and they want to be supportive.”
Novy said that because he is a pacifist type who does not like confrontation, knowing that the event is focused on awareness is a great way to spread knowledge, while also educating people who attend about the issues facing those who are transgendered.
Novy said the remembrance of this day is just as important as remembering anyone else who has passed.
“Not only remembering who, but why in certain situations; we have Veterans Day and Memorial Day to remember those who have fought for our country and all that they have done,” he said. “For the same reason, we have TDOR because all in all, we are one huge, big, happy family.”
For more information about the event or information about BSA, contact Novy at myekale.novy.bsa@gmail.com.