Be gentle, this is my first diary, and on an issue that is VERY important to me.
November 20th is the date reserved by transfolk and their allies to memorialize the names and stories of those in our community that have died as a result of violence in the preceeding year. It was originally started by Gwen Smith as a way to not forget our losses. The media at the time (late 1990s) was not good at recording our stories accurately, if they were covered at all. Pronouns were regularly used incorrectly, and disrespectfully.
The first DOR was held in San Francisco, in 1999. 2007 will mark the the 9th annual marking of this day.
http://www.rememberingourdead.org/...
This year these are some of the people being remembered:
http://www.rememberingourdead.org/...
I have verbally heard that 17 names are to be read, but can't confirm that information.
Locally, in the Twin Cities, we will have the 8th annual marking of this day at Spirit of the Lakes Church, at 13th Ave and Lake Street in Minneapolis. For anyone wishing to attend, there will be a potluck hosted by the MN T-Men at 5:30, and the memorial will begin at 7:30. TransVoices will be performing (Midwest's only all-transgender chorus).
Shameless plug: My spouse and I both sing in TransVoices.
A list of other locations can be found at:
http://www.rememberingourdead.org/...