Comments on: Remember We’re Living 2009

By: vanlevy

vanlevy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:31:07 +0000

I always thought, the outward manifestions of gender are important, but what really counts is your abilities, and your chance to creatively express them. I am dating somebody in transition, who has a demanding job of floor manager in a discount chain. At the end of the day, if she can help people do a good job, have a constructive day, and be respected as women, she can smile. I think she has her priorities right.

By: Bethany Anne

Bethany Anne — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:40:53 +0000

Thank you I always feel like it’s small of me to be conflicted about it, but darnit, I like my birthday.

By: helenboyd

helenboyd — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:52:07 +0000

well happy birthday, Bethany Anne!

By: Bethany Anne

Bethany Anne — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:39:04 +0000

Or, Nov 20th could be your birthday, and you could make the call annually which to honor. >.<

By: Mercedes

Mercedes — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:50:45 +0000

Yes!

I do believe that TDoR serves a need, both awareness outside the community and a catharsis within, as people come together to face fears that we can all empathize with. We need to balance that with hope, and I think the events that I’ve seen that have spoken loudest are when people come together to acknowledge the weakness and sometimes hopelessness they feel, and leave together, feeling a part of something larger and supportive.

But absolutely, there also needs to be a time set to celebrate trans lives. Something to work toward.

By: SusanK

SusanK — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:34:29 +0000

Maybe remembering the dead is a way of feeling like a victim and convincing others you’re victims? I agree with you. Celebrating life and especially successes will send the message transpeople are healthy and normal, and while deserving civil rights, under the Civil Rights Act, would ensure we’re equal in consideration as everyone else. To me, your suggestion and the Civil Rights law would defuse any opposition. But always holding up the dead, and often how they died, keeps transpeople victims and less deserving of the protection everyone else has, but then fight for rights and protections as an identified class of people.

I think when the transcommunity gets through the focus on the dead, maybe they can focus on the living and the successes, maybe they then get protections everyone else knows and has. This has long been proposed by former Senator Bill Bradley.