Event to honor transgender murder victims
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/20/2008
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Eight gender-related homicides were reported in the month leading up to today's Transgender Day of Remembrance.
"The discrimination against transgender individuals is real, and not much is being done to prevent it," said Alex Reyes, treasurer of the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals at Purdue.
The event commemorates the lives taken by transgender-based murders and will begin at 4:45 p.m. today with a funeral procession from the Stewart Center to the Purdue Mall, where a memorial display will recognize the more than 245 transgender individuals murdered within recent years. The display will remain in place until Friday evening.
"Education is a big part of this event," Reyes said. "Ignorance, bigotry and hatred are huge causes of this problem and we should take proactive measures to educate the community and prevent not only discrimination against transgender individuals but also discrimination against any other type of minority or group.
"No one should go to bed worrying if they are going to live another day if they continue expressing who they are," Reyes said.
Kay Johnson, a graduate student in the department of aeronautics and astronautics, said the climate of Purdue is not one of welcoming toward transgender students.
"There is a culture of institutionalized transphobia at Purdue University," Johnson said. "Gender expression and gender identity are not a part of Purdue University's anti-discrimination statement."
As a transgender individual, Johnson has felt ostracized on campus.
"I have many times been treated by Purdue employees as if I have no business on campus," Johnson said. "I have been strongly discouraged from using the restroom, from being out of the classroom and from organizing legitimate student activities. Transgenders need to be actively acknowledged by the administration as a legitimate minority on campus."
That's why the organizers of the event are reaching out to Purdue administration and encouraging them to attend. Alysa Rollock, vice president for ethics and compliance, has committed to speaking at the event. Johnson hopes this is a sign of the University becoming more proactive to the needs of the transgender community.