Phila. Marks Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Friday marked the Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance, and here in Philadelphia a ceremony was held at the William Way Community Center to both honor members of the Trans community lost to violence over the past year while also celebrating steps forward in acceptance.
ITDOR, as it's more commonly known, was started as a way to mourn members of the Trans community lost to violence, and this year's ceremony at the William Way Community Center upheld that tradition by reading off a list of names lost to violence, suicide and other issues over the past year followed by a candle lighting. ITDOR Chairwoman Deja Lynn Alvarez says a big step in stopping the violence towards the trans community is by offering basic respect for a fellow human being....
"Folks have to let go of their fear, and their preconceived notions of who we are and what we are, and just realize that we're human like everybody else and we deserve the same dignity and respect that every other person deserves."
Philadelphia's Director of LGBT Affairs Nellie Fitzpatrick discussed how the city has made improvements to help the community in recent months by mandating gender neutral bathrooms in certain restaurants and changes in police policy. Fitzpatrick says while there have been a lot of positive change in the treatment of Gay and Lesbian people, for some reason the Trans community has fallen behind despite being some of the biggest difference makers in LGBT rights.
"So it's important to understand that Transgender people have been here forever, you just don't know them. You just don't know them. You might not realize who they are and what they need, and it's time to build some awareness around that. Some understanding around that."
Fitzpatrick says another area where more needs to be done is in employment, as finding jobs and moving into management positions at places of employment is still a problem for many members of the trans community.
