2016 Transgender Day of Remembrance
This last week on November 20, 2016 was the 18th International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) where (held every November) "trans and gender-diverse persons to be added to the list of those to be remembered, mourned, and honored." This year there were 295 named of individuals that were murdered, pretty much because they dared to show and express to the world who they truly were. Some of the more horrific causes of death include being "stoned to death," "17 gun shots and run over by car" and "burned beyond recognition" with more able to seen on the TDOR list.
I can understand having debates on peoples feelings over the bathroom or such things, but NOBODY deserves to be killed for being transgender, non-binary, etc. There really isn't a way to view this other than the latest vogue of hate crimes. People are people for crying out loud and while differing views are out there, not respecting a human beings right to live in just inexcusable. In a sight such as Steemit, you have to see how this just flat out breaks the Non-Aggression Pact that many of us here seem to hold dear. There is absolutely no way to excuse these deaths are self defense.
Even here in the USA where we're sometimes seen to be more 'progressive' than other parts of the world, saw 23 such killings occur in the last year. Since 2008, when these TDOR lists were started, there have been 2,264 reported killings of trans and gender-diverse people in 68 countries worldwide.
Transgender/Gender-Diverse Reported Killings 2008-2016
It is worth noting that
"the close connection between the existence of strong trans movements and professional monitoring, on the one hand, and highest absolute numbers of reports, on the other hand, point to the worrisome question of unreported cases. Beside the need for mechanisms to protect trans and gender-diverse people, this connection also shows the need for strong trans communities and organisations, which are capable of professional monitoring and reporting of violence against trans and gender-diverse people. This connection results in the figures showing only the tip of the iceberg of homicides of trans and gender-diverse people on a worldwide scale."
-Source
The Trouble With Transgender Awareness
Growing up during the 1980's, I saw the expansion of Gay awareness campaigns kick in and progress over the years. Nowadays the vast majority of the population fall into the statistic of knowing or loving somebody who is gay. I truly believe that the success of this awareness campaign over the last 30 years was a major factor leading to the right of same-sex marriage. People tend to be afraid or uncomfortable about things they don't know or understand...these awareness campaigns directly confront that both by pushing those in the Gay community to more openly discuss and/or present their orientation with family and friends. This drive to share who they are (and this doesn't mean they're trying to convert others) has led to a vastly greater understanding by the non-gay/straight community and a greater acceptance of an individuals sexual orientation choices.
Typically you aren't able to simply look at a person and tell what sexual orientation they prefer. Many times it takes meeting their significant other, having that 'soul sharing' conversation or other such ways to convey this. For transgender people, this isn't usually the case, being noticed and seen in public, often with the desire to 'pass' as the gender they're presenting. Often fear of harassment or ridicule cause many to hide who they are well down their transition path including hormones, 'top and/or bottom' surgery, sometimes facial surgeries, etc. This means that frequently you may already know somebody who is transgender but had no idea! With regards to the Transgender awareness over the years, this was somewhat of a catch-22 situation of,
I want to 'pass' so I feel comfortable, meaning that others don't know I'm Trans
I will note that many transgender people don't have this option to pass for myriad reasons including and beyond the actual costs. Personally, when I'm in public, I assume people know I'm transgender, just feeling that it can be seen. I'm fine with this myself and it's definitely has it's pros and cons. I will note that I'm not telling any trans/gender-diverse person how they should go about their methodology or feelings on passing, this is purely MY choice and situation.
There has been a HUGE boost in transgender and gender-diverse awareness on the recent years including Laverne Cox from Orange is the New Black, Kristin Beck, former Navy Seal and Congressional Candidate and the list goes on. The awareness campaign in my eyes is stronger than ever, but this has also lead to a lot of backlash.
Regardless of your feelings on political issues such as 'bathroom bills,' There is NO reason to KILL!
My Previous LGBT Posts:
What is Gender?
What is Non-Binary Gender, Genderqueer or Genderfluid?
Transgender: Ask Me Anything
Non-Non-Discrimination Laws
Uplifting Transgender Stories
Imperfectu Film Festival
Bathroom Insanity in North Carolina
LGBT Laws in my City
First Transgender Ask Me Anything
My Transgender Journey
Image Sources:
TDOR
Trans/Gender-Diverse Killings Map
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The world still needs to grow in terms of mentality. People are still 'stuck' in old times and are afraid to let go and hence the fear and the anger and the violence.
I'm absolutely on the same page with you there. Overall I end up seeing many of the 'negative LGBT' arguments really being based in either fear, hate and/or ignorance. Often I see have to say "I'm sorry this makes you uncomfortable, but that doesn't give any right of discriminating or prevention of equality."
Overall we are moving in the right direction (how much varies from region to region,) but we will get there. The passing of same-sex marriage act in the US Supreme Court was a huge step in the right direction here as people become more educated on the actual concepts and the impacts. So I don't want to just paint a negative picture on this. It took 30 years from the start of the Gay awareness campaigns to get us here in the US, time is definitely our ally on this one.
Exactly! People automatically hate what they don't understand! It's like their default setting! But you are right, times are changing. In a 100 years, these problems will cease to exist.
Spot on!
It's made me think of the scifi idea that if the norm was to 'morph' bodies (race, gender, etc.) it'd pretty much end (ideally) such prejudices since they'd live for periods as the various groups.
This is so sad. 2264 people killed because they don't understand some aspects. People should focus more on their own person, how to become the better version of yourself, and stop judging other people so much.
I totally agree. I can understand those who feel uncomfortable with lgbtq people and discussions can at least be had on that. But the killings can't really be rationalized imo.
Trans and gender-diverse does sound a little friendlier than non-conforming, not sure words would ever be enough though.
I'll agree that the wording can only go so far. A perfect example is the term of cis-gendered...purely meaning a persons biological sex at birth matches their gender identity. (i.e. either being cis or trans)
Prior to this most the time it was seen as 'normal' vs trans...which I get, but it does somewhat paint a poor picture for those already lacking a good understanding, since many people take 'not normal' to institutionally be bad or scary.
Imo it's the human connection side that really drives progress in these areas. Often here in the US we see the stats of 9 out of 10 people have a friend or family member that is gay, regardless of the words used...these people have a direct connection with a gay person that they like/love, making it a much less scary thing in their eyes.
I see the trans, non-binary, etc. community making progress in this same way. To a large degree we're having to break through pre-conceived notions/indoctrination which really only direct, personal experience has a chance accomplishing. (imo)
I didn't realise people were still getting killed over this sort of thing that's crazy.
I imagine it is particularly tough for those who are particularly masculine or feminine in appearance and so find it harder if not impossible to not stick out.
I'm just glad that people are getting more aware even if sometimes it doesn't seem that way.
When I was a kid nobody even talked about this kind of thing - it's not like it didn't exist - it was a taboo subject.
It's unfortunately something that does continue internationally.
Typically the female to male's have an easier time "passing" as well as having a little less of a cultural stigma (at least here in the US.) But i don't want to portray that they don't have hardships to deal with. Male to females typically have a harder time on "passing" due to facial hair (which laser can help, ) voice (which requires practice and on rarer occasions surgury) and bigger frames. These can be postponed/ prevented pre-puberty, but that's a whole bigger discussion.
Things have been definitely getting a lot better, especially on the awareness side (though this has caused some backlash issues) over the last 5ish years.
I was the same way when younger. Transgender wasnt a word I ever heard back then, like you said, a taboo topic. Especially pre-internet,it was unlikely to have any exposure and I sure wasn't going to try to ask a librarian I didn't really know to help me track down keywords let alone actual material. The Internet was a huge help for a lot in my generation on that front, both on access to information and knowledge we weren't alone.
Imo time is definitely on our side. To most people under 30 sexual orientation and gender identity are non- issues, just things people find about themselves.
Very true.