On Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, Fernandina Beach Pride will host a community event to commemorate National Transgender Day of Remembrance. Transgender people face systemic barriers to full participation in society and are deeply impacted by racism, sexism and transphobia. Since 2018, more than 200 transgender and gender non-conforming individuals have been killed in the United States, and many in Florida. Even in the face of physical danger, hatred and discrimination, transgender Americans live courageously and continuously have to overcome unjust barriers in all corners of our country.
It’s not enough to grieve the loss of victims of anti-transgender violence. We must find ways to reach out and help people understand that transgender people live in every community and deserve to live in peace and safety. This year, Fernandina Beach Pride is hosting a panel discussion with local and area transgender individuals who will share their stories so that we can all become better informed and be stronger allies for our transgender friends and family. The panel will consist of transgender individuals across a wide spectrum of ages and professions, which again shows the diversity in how transgender individuals lead their lives.
Fernandina Beach Pride’s third Transgender Day of Remembrance event will be hosted in Burns Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church starting at 6 p.m. In addition to the support of St. Peter’s, the Memorial United Methodist Church WELCOME Reconciling Ministries will be providing refreshments as part of a light dinner to share.
All are welcome to come and listen and learn in peace and remembrance.
I always think of the song Lola when this transgender nonsense comes up.
“Girls will be boys and boys will be girls
It’s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world,..”
be careful, or you will be labeled an ….ist or a ….phobe for having a different opinion.