If this message is not displayed properly, click here to launch your browser.

Boston Pride

COMMUNITY NOTICE
Transgender Day Of Remembrance 2008



Thursday, Nov 20, 2008
Boston to honor Transgender Day of Remembrance
Community Speak-Out, Vigil in 10th anniversary observance

7p - 9p at St. Luke's & St. Margaret's Church
5 Saint Lukes Rd, Allston, MA - Off Brighton Ave near Packard's Corner stop on the Green line - B train
For the latest details, please visit www.masstpc.org/dor.

All are welcome at Boston's Transgender Day of Remembrance observance at Allston's St. Luke's & St. Margaret's church, where a non-worship, non-denominational program begins at 7pm and concludes, after the candlelight vigil, with a reception featuring hot drinks and home-baked snacks.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the community gathering and candlelight vigil for slain transsexual Rita Hester. A program of speakers, featuring ASC's Rev. Kim Crawford-Harvie, will be followed by a community speakout, after which a candlelight vigil will retrace the path taken by the vigil that inspired what has become an international event.

Boston's transgender and LGB community extends a warm welcome to all who would like to attend this important event to memorialize our dead and underscore the seriousness of the suffering of our communities. No persons should be subjected to violence simply because of their gender identity or expression.

No persons should be denied the basic rights that enable their safety and security. Please join with us on this day to remember our dead, whatever the cause of their departure.

Event Background:
Ten years ago at this time, Boston's LGBT community recoiled in horror at the discovery of the latest victim of transphobic violence. Rita Hester, a popular figure in the local rock 'n roll scene, who also happened to be a transsexual, had been found brutally stabbed to death in her Brighton apartment. Like so many killings of gay and transgender persons, the victim was subjected to enough brutality to kill her many times over.

A local community of queer activists, rockers, family, friends and allies ­over 250 of them ­ came together and held a speak-out and candlelight vigil in Rita's honor, forming a human stream of light winding its way through Rita's old Allston stomping grounds. One year later, a memorial vigil was held in San Francisco; the following year Boston and a few other cities joined in, and this year hundreds of observances will be held in dozens of countries.

Boston's transgender community remembers Chanelle Pickett, Debra Forte, Monique Thomas, and Rita Hester, all of whom were local transgender victims of unusually violent and hateful murders. Before these, there were many more, mostly uncounted and unnoticed by all but their friends and family.

Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, BAGLY (Boston Alliance of GLBT Youth), JRI Health - Boston GLASS/UYI, TransCEND (Transgender Care & Education Needs Diversity), Keshet, Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, St. Luke's & St. Margaret's Church, GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders), Fenway Community Health, MassEquality.

Pride Meetings


The Boston Pride Committee meets on Tuesdays at 6:30pm in the Wainwright Bank Community Room, 155 Dartmouth Street in Boston (next to Back Bay T Station). Meetings are open to anyone and we welcome your participation. Visit our website for a listing of upcoming meetings.
About Boston Pride


The Boston Pride Committee is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Meet the Board of Directors and the Chairs of the Committee:

Keri Aulita - Vice President, Board of Directors
vp@bostonpride.org

Cookie Belcamino - JP Block Party Chair
jp-blockparty@bostonpride.org

Sylvain Bruni - Board of Directors
sbruni@bostonpride.org

Malcolm Carey - Board of Directors
mcarey@bostonpride.org

Linda DeMarco - President, Board of Directors
president@bostonpride.org

Sean Duggan - Community Outreach Chair
outreach@bostonpride.org

Pierce Durkin - Clerk, Board of Directors
clerk@bostonpride.org

Kristie Helms - Board of Directors
khelms@bostonpride.org

Wilfred Labiosa - Board of Directors
wlabiosa@bostonpride.org

Cale Moore - Merchandise Chair
merchandise@bostonpride.org

Cat Sauer - Festival Chair
festival@bostonpride.org

Liz Stewart - Media / PR Chair
media@bostonpride.org

"The Boston Pride Committee, serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied community, works to enhance the visibility of Boston's LGBT community through a week of events each June, in conjunction with year-round activities, to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding."

Web: www.BostonPride.org
Email: info@bostonpride.org
PrideLine: 617-262-9405

Photo Credits: Michael Anthony Fowler, Marilyn Humphries - Design: Sylvain Bruni

Boston Pride and the Boston Pride logo are registered service marks
of the New Boston Pride Committee, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Please review our Service Mark Policy for more information.

Copyright © 2008 The New Boston Pride Committee, Inc. All rights reserved.