Transgender deaths illuminated

Twenty-eight transgendered men and women are known to have died
in the past year as a result of hate crimes. Monday night, students
gathered in De Neve Plaza as part of the international Transgender
Day of Remembrance in an effort to commemorate their deaths.

This year marks the seventh annual Transgender Day of
Remembrance, but Monday’s candlelight vigil and march were
the first time events commemorating the day were held at UCLA.

Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died
because of transgender-based hate or prejudice, according to the
Transgender Day of Remembrance’s official Web site.

Four speakers ““ a community member, a UCLA alumna, a
graduate student and last year’s Queer Alliance president
““ spoke about their experiences dealing with transgender
issues that included hate, violence, discrimination and identity
issues.

One speaker, while telling the story of how she realized her
gender identity, said, “If you’re like me, you ran like
hell for 45 years before you faced who you are.”

Though this event was primarily to remember those who have been
victims of transgender hate crimes, Christina Chala, a UCLA
women’s studies alumna and volunteer at the event, said it
was also to “move others to action” on transgender
issues.

Earlier in the day, students lined Bruin Walk with posters
commemorating those who had died.

Monday evening, 28 people stood in front of an audience as
candles were lit and each told the story of one of the
transgendered people killed this year.

The stories included accounts of stabbings, shootings and rapes,
all because of the victim’s gender identity.

As the vigil progressed, many onlookers stopped to listen to the
speakers and examine the depictions of the victims in posters that
were hung around the plaza. Several passers-by also stopped to join
the audience.

“All of the numbers, statistics and science take away the
humanity of what is happening, but when you see, talk to, and hug
someone, it really humanizes them,” said Jeremiah Garcia, a
second-year art student who attended the event.

But in addition to the positive responses from the attendees,
there were several people who laughed and sneered as they walked by
the event.

Though there have been no reported crimes recently committed
against transgendered people on campus, Georgina Wakefield, a
fifth-year American literature and culture student and QueerXGirl
president, said minor acts of vandalism against the lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender community do happen at UCLA and need to be
addressed.

There have also been a few incidences of transgendered people
moving out of campus residence halls because of the
gender-segregated environment, Wakefield said.

In response to perceived inaction about transgender issues, the
audience filled out action cards after the vigil, pledging their
commitment to transgender issues. The cards were affixed to a
banner carried by students during their march to the UCLA LGBT
Resource Center.

More onlookers were attracted as the marchers walked down Bruin
Walk past the Wooden Center while chanting, “Hey, hey, ho,
ho, trans-phobia’s got to go.”

Monday’s event was part of an ongoing effort by student
groups to promote awareness of LGBT issues on campus.

“We feel like the UCLA community is insulated. We wanted
to bring something here that would connect the campus to outside
issues,” Wakefield said.