Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2012

by Vivian Taylor, Boston Massachusetts

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. TDoR exists to remember those who are murdered for the simple reality of being trans. Today isn't a day where we explain being trans, or defend ourselves for being trans, or any of that. Today is simply the day to remember those who have suffered for no reason other than that the powers of the world hate us and would rather we not exist.

I look forward to the day when we won't need things like this; but until we do, I offer the following meditation for personal or corporate use at Compline.  Click here to see the names and circumstances of the murders of trans people in 2012.  You may want to read these names out loud as you remember them.

Dear Lord, tonight we come to you in memory of Rita Hester and all those who have died and have suffered on account of their being transgender or gender nonconforming.
Dear Lord, remember them.
Dear Lord, give these souls the peace that they were denied in life.
Dear Lord, remember them.
Dear Lord, help us to remember and work for all people who are seen as less than in this hard world.
Dear Lord, remember us.
Dear Lord, you who made, know, and love all of human diversity — set us free from the systems of the world, and shield us from all scorn and violence that those systems expose us to.
Dear Lord, remember us.
Dear Lord, help us to discern the path you have cut for us into the possible.
Dear Lord, remember us.
Dear Lord, give us strength to speak truly, give us courage to love wildly, and give us faith to live oddly.
Amen.

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