November 20th, a day of remembrance
A commentary
by Jessica Hicks
You all know by now, November is Transgender Awareness Month. But I want to talk about the most important day in November to me. Not Thanksgiving but the 20th, “Transgender Day of Remembrance.”
On that day we remember our transgender brothers and sisters that lost their lives either by the hands of someone else or by their own. So many transgender people all over the world have fallen victim to murder, suicide, or being brutally beaten, it sickens me that people act this way toward someone that may be different to them. I tend to be arrogant and say, “It’s because we are more beautiful. They just torment us because they are jealous, and we have the courage to do something about ourselves.”
I have known one transsexual woman that has taken her own life and it affected me greatly. Her name was Chrisie Edkins and she was a part of the transgender community in England. We talked briefly a few times and were talking about trying to meet in person. When we hadn’t talked on Facebook for a while, it was as if she suddenly disappeared. A couple weeks went by and her family announced that she had taken her life. To this day when I think about her I cry.
Chrisie was such an inspiration to me and she is the reason I started “Trans United of Oklahoma City,” a support group for transgender people (male and female) who have issues relating to their transition. I want to reach out to people who have no one to turn to, or who have thoughts about suicide, because I am one of those who thought about suicide. I had lost everything at one time but I finally took a stand and I did something about it.
I have the best friends and chosen family in my life now and I thank God every day for that. So every time I look up to heaven I think about Chrisie Edkins and how much of an inspiration she was to me and still is. So I hold a candle in her honor and in honor of my brothers and sisters all over the world.
I encourage everyone to attend a “Remembrance” event in your area. These events are important to your community and show a great deal of respect to us transgender people. You never know when someone may be struggling and that is the comfort they need…people who care.
The Gayly – November 16, 2013 @ 11:30am