Tue 20 Nov 2012 In: Our Communities View at Wayback View at NDHA
In honour of Transgender Day of Remembrance the Genderbridge Committee would like to make the following statement. We acknowledge and grieve the many losses that hatred and bigotry have enabled, within and beyond our whanau, and we stand in solidarity with those who work to end gender policing and staunch the flow of blood from our communities caused by racism, sexism, misogyny, transmisogyny, homophobia and queerphobia. Transphobia is perpetuated by hostility to difference. This day of remembrance, if you look at the global lists of the people whom we honour and remember, reveals that racism is one of the most significant and damaging forces that trans* and gender diverse people face. We cannot respond to transphobia, or violence against trans* and gender diverse people, without acknowledging the intersections of other systemic forms of violence, such as colonization, racism, and sexism. Genderbridge is not holding an official event this year, but we will, as an organisation, be standing alongside all those who support the self-determination of trans* and gender diverse people, who strive to make the world more hospitable to difference, more capable of holding and supporting the wide and beautiful range of humanity. Our resolution, on this day, is to work with our members and other people and organisations to create kind and generous relationships. Relationships that enable communication and value sharing (and are also robust enough to hold conflict or difference) are crucial in the fight to create a more livable world. We hope that others will similarly continue or begin meaningful conversations and connections, individually, organizationally, and systemically, in honour of so many who have gone before us, whose struggle has made it more possible for us to be who we are now. In Wellington tonight, Agender Central will join with the Queer Avengers in hosting a gathering at 7PM in Midland Park to remember people who have been killed or harmed because of violence against people of different gender identities or presentations. Genderbridge - 20th November 2012