Meetings in Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington this Friday and a vigil in Auckland next week will mark this year's International Transgender Day of Remembrance. Friday 20 November will be the 11th annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance, recognising transgender people all over the world who have died as victims of violence. The day also allows transgender people around the globe to gather in solidarity and present to society in a loving and peaceful way generating awareness and education about transpeople and the issues they face. "In previous New Zealand Transgender Day of Remembrance events the names of trans people who have been killed were read aloud at candlelight vigils, and written on crosses or inside the chalked outlines of bodies drawn on Wellington's Civic Square," notes the Human Rights Commission. "It has also been a time to reflect on the fear, violence and discrimination that affects many trans people's lives." EVENTS FOR 2009 In Christchurch on Friday, the Agender trans support network will meet for drinks and nibbles from 6pm on Friday at Christchurch Community House at 141 Hereford Street. There will be a Trans Day of Remembrance gathering at the Riff-Raff statue on Hamilton's Victoria Street from 7.30pm onwards on Friday evening. All are welcome to join Agender Waikato and Hamilton Pride there to make a stand against violence and discrimination. Wellington will also mark Trans Remembrance Day on Friday with a meeting in Lower Hutt and then a BBQ and game event on Saturday. Next week, Auckland's Gender Bridge network will host a vigil at St. Matthew-in-the-City Church, scheduled for 7pm on Saturday 28 November. For more information and contact details for 2009's Transgender Day of Remembrance events, see the Human Rights Commission's website.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 18th November 2009 - 11:28am