A candlelight vigil, commemorative performances, personal testimonies and names of the deceased were read on Thursday night as a part of Baton Rouge’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, a national time to honor victims of anti-transgender violence.
The event, which was held at the Baton Rouge Unitarian Universalist Church, focused on memorializing those killed as a result of violence based on bias against their gender identity. Similar events were held nationally and globally.
Louisiana Trans Advocates, a statewide transgender advocacy and social support organization, hosted the vigil with support from the LGBTQ Project, Spectrum, Women Organizing Women, Capital City Alliance and the Greater Baton Rouge Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Micah Caswell, LTA treasurer and performance studies graduate student, said it is important to honor these victims. Whether they were transgender or not, it is an attack against the transgender community, she said.
Melanie Stapleton, music education sophomore, co-social coordinator for Spectrum and the University’s LTA liaison, said the event itself isn’t just for the campus, but the whole community. She said the vigil is powerful and reminds people of those who have suffered because of this violence.
“It hits you how many people are affected by this,” Stapleton said.
LGBTQ Project Director Bruce Parker said the vigil is an opportunity for people who don’t understand transgender issues to learn about them.
“We all gain by having to bear witness to the sadness and loss that the event highlights,” Parker said.
Caswell said it is a strong reminder to the community that transgender individuals often face prejudice for their identity.
“Awareness comes from the vigils,” Caswell said. “It is important they know people are living in fear.”
Parker said inaction contributes to the death of these people. He said by not standing up and giving these victims a voice, we only add to the injustice.
The vigil also reminds people about the importance of gender inclusion policies in legislation, according to Caswell. She said there is a need to ensure the transgender community will not face discrimination because of their identity in the future.
“Day of Remembrance can be used as a tool for political advocacy because of the powerful characteristics of the event,” Caswell said. “People are dying because of how they express themselves and their gender. It is a testament to why trans-inclusion is so important to legislation.”
Business sophomore Natalie Dekoker said she knows LGBTQ people who have struggled with their identity.
“I feel for anyone who has had to deal with this,” Dekoker said.