[News] [MO, USA] Transgender Awareness Week promotes education, remembrance
Stephanie Stevens
Transgender Awareness Week promotes education, remembrance
Observance includes discussions, a vigil and a balloon release.
By Angela Case
Published Nov. 17, 2009
A series of discussions, panels and vigils is being held across campus
this week in observance of Transgender Awareness Week.
The events aim to educate the public about transgender issues and
remember those who were hurt or killed because of their gender
identity, Triangle Coalition Secretary Emily Colvin said.
The goal of the week, which is sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Resource Center and
Triangle Coalition, is to raise awareness of transgender issues on
campus, Triangle Coalition President Erin Horth said.
The event is centered on National Transgender Day of Remembrance,
which is held annually Nov. 20. The nationwide observance began in
1999 in response to the highly publicized murder of Rita Hester on
Nov. 20, 1998, Triangle Coalition Vice President Sean Jarvis said.
Horth said though many universities hold vigils on the day of
remembrance, she has never heard of another university that dedicates
the entire week to transgender awareness.
Jarvis said 2009 is the second year MU has observed the national day
of remembrance and hosted the awareness week.
Transgender Awareness Week is important because it helps raise
awareness of issues facing transgender people, Horth said.
"Misinformation leads to discrimination," she said.
Horth said one of the major issues facing students at MU who are
transgender is the school's non-discrimination policy, which does not
offer protection for gender identity and expression. She said issues
involving gender expression could cause tension for students. For
example, a student might accidentally be outed by a teacher who uses
the student's formal name in class. A shortage of gender-neutral
bathrooms on campus also causes anxiety for some students, Horth said.
Horth said the LGBTQ Resource Center and Triangle Coalition are
working to raise awareness and promote education about transgender
issues.
"The myth is that transgendered folks are extreme sexual deviants or
perverts," she said.
Colvin said one of the most common myths about people who are
transgender is they choose to become transgender.
"Some people think that any harassment we receive is due to our own
choices," she said. "In reality, we have to do this for our own
sanity."
Events, such as Transgender Awareness Week, are held in an effort to
dispel such stereotypes.
At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the student center, a panel of medical
professionals who have experience working with transgender patients
will speak about the medical aspects of being transgender, Jarvis
said.
Wednesday, women's and gender studies professor Sam Bullington will
discuss the role hegemonic narratives play in transgender identity.
A transgender remembrance vigil will be held Thursday in the A.P.
Green Chapel. Names and stories of transgender people who were killed
due to their gender identity will be read there, Jarvis said.
Friday, National Transgender Day of Remembrance, a balloon release and
reading of names will be held throughout the day at Speakers Circle.
All students are welcome to join in the event by coming by Speakers
Circle between classes to read a name and release a balloon in
remembrance of one of the 301 reported Americans who have died as a
result of hate crimes due to their gender identity since 1976, Horth
said.
©2009 The Maneater Student Newspaper
http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2009/11/17/transgender-awareness-week-promotes-education-reme/