The Few and The Brave

Today is the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) which is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.  Of the members of the LGBT community that are murdered every year because of their real or perceived sexuality or gender identity, over 50% are Transgendered.  A disproportionate number of those are Trangendered Women of Color.  The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence that year and began an important memorial that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.  Founder Gwendolyn Smith explains: "The Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people -- sometimes in the most brutal ways possible -- it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice."

I have always believed that the Transgendered among us are the bravest members of our community.  They courageously face life every day, presenting as their true gender identity rather than live a lie.  These brave folks are the most marginalized and discriminated against every time they set foot out their door.  They are all too often the targets of bigotry and violence just for being true to themselves, sometimes from the members of their own family.  I have known many over the course of my lifetime as friends, employees and even as roommates and there has never been a coward among them.  Today I salute all of the Transgendered, whether or not I know them personally, for the bravery they show every day of their lives.  I honor the memory of those who have died just because they lived, may they rest in peace.  I am envious of their courage and strength to carry on and I will continue to support them in any way I can.  I would hope that you would also.

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Your Midweek Musical Moment features Two Concerti for Cello in C Major, Hob. VIIb1 and D Major, Hob. VII 2 by Franz Joseph Haydn performed by the Freiburger Barockorchester conducted by Petra Mullejans featuring Jean-Guihen Queyras on Baroque Cello.  Then last but certainly not least is this week's Wet Wednesday collection on display below the play list.  Thanks for sharing a part of your day with me, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!