Appropriation of Transgender Day of Remembrance

[lisaquestions]

Every year, on November 20, many people - cis people as well as trans people - observe the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Trans people are 16 times more likely to be murdered than the general population, and 1-2 trans people are murdered every month. So far, the TDOR website lists 18 names:

Kellie Telesford, Brian McGlothlin, Gabriela Alejandra Albornoz, Patrick Murphy, Adolphus Simmons, Phaedra, Ashley Sweeney, Sanesha Stewart, Lawrence King, Simmie Williams Jr., Luna, Lloyd Nixon, Felicia Melton-Smyth, Silvana Berisha, Ebony Whitaker, Rosa Pazos, Angie Zapata, and Jaylynn L. Namauu.

Names not yet added to the list include Ruby Molina and Nikki Williams.

For 10 years, our community has gathered to remember our dead on November 20th.

So, enter GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, proposing TransAction!,

TransAction! - November 21, 2008

GLSEN is proud to be sponsoring a new national day of action: TransAction! This is a day for action, a day for education, celebration, and a day for people who do not identify as transgender to become an ally and stand up for the rights of individuals who have been the victims of harassment, bullying and name-calling because of their gender identity and/or gender expression.

Now, I think suggesting a day like this is by itself not a bad thing, but doing it the day after the Day of Remembrance is in incredibly poor taste, and smacks of allies speaking for trans people. I could be wrong, and trans people might be involved in planning/proposing this day… but even so, November 21st is the wrong day. Further, on Washington State’s GLSEN page,

*November*

11/21/2008, TransAction (Formerly Trans Day of Remembrance)

People who want to become an ally and stand up for the rights of trans people who have been the victims of harassment, bullying, and name-calling because of their gender identity and/or expression shouldn’t be doing this. Trans people have been doing the Day of Remembrance for 10 years. Don’t claim to replace the TDOR. Don’t put your day of celebration on the day after DOR. This isn’t solidarity, it’s appropriation. It’s walking all over what trans people are already doing.

Contact information for complaints: glsen@glsen.org or 212-727-0135

h/t Dale62676

crossposted from Questioning Transphobia
 

 

Comments

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Yet another example of THEM doing what THEY think is best for US!

Sigh!

Where have I heard that before over the last three decades?

Give us back our 'T' again, perhaps?

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

I'm just at a loss for words, really.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

I mean, more than the words I already wrote.

[scorpionflail.livejournal.com]

They probably like, /totally/ 'asked their trans friend' and she was 'okay with it' rite?

Taking a deep breath and sending something on over to glsen.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

Maybe they thought that TDOR was too much of a downer and needed a lift-me-up the next day.

[fall-of-sophia.livejournal.com]

i suspect that is precisely it.

[heinousbitca.livejournal.com]

the worst part of this all is that i have my suspicions that this is true.

while we're at it it's not like GLSEN has gone out of their way to be inclusive of all queers, so i'm sure by asking their one token transperson they know this was all, like, totally cleared.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

I was trying to say that about the token trans person without actually saying it, if you know what I mean - and I think you do!

[heinousbitca.livejournal.com]

i got dropped in some dude's voicemail box when i called.

i get the message. i just am not entirely sure when this became their fight. i know when to own and i know when to hench, and this is a case where i hench because i cannot claim to own.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

Thanks for making the call. :)

And I really wanted to say "if your token trannie told you it was okay, it still wasn't okay" in my post.

[heinousbitca.livejournal.com]

i'm sure they'd totally say "tranny", also. you know, christiansirianoitis. it's a disease that affects (not effects) co-opting gay white men along with a shitty concept of what is fashion and, of course, serious backpedaling about WORKING ON YOUR SHIT.

i'm not bitter, by the way, just experienced.

[prnkstrss.livejournal.com]

yeah...can't those Trannies start celebrating life and not obsess with death.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I've heard five people say or report someone else saying that TDOR is too grim and sad and needs to lighten up. I'm always WTF.

I mean, I'm really up for having more trans events focused on activism, I really am, but don't start talking like we have to change or replace TDOR to get those events.

[notacrnflkgirl.livejournal.com]

Just what the memorial of victims of violent transphobia needs: sunshine and lollipops.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

Totally.

I think a day like the one described is a great idea, just not right on the heels of or described as being a replacement of TDOR.

[notacrnflkgirl.livejournal.com]

Replacing the TDOR sends me over the edge. It whines, "What about us cis peopleeee?" We cis people can shut the fuck up and listen for once. Maybe start respecting some boundaries. Christ.

[gender-euphoric.livejournal.com]

*screams*
an email would be too easy. maybe i should actually call them?
i am at a loss.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

Do whatever you're comfortable with! I know I am. :(

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

That was a big part of my problem with the day, even framing it as calling allies to action.

[gwenners.livejournal.com]

Trust me, as the founder of Transgender Day of Remembrance, this is intentional on GLSEN's part.

I love being co-opted, don't you? :-/

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. Everything from gay men thinking that it's okay to "reclaim" tranny to this just makes me squee with joy.

I'm not surprised at it being intentional, but I sort of reflexively imply the benefit of the doubt. Probably a reaction to the tone argument, but since that always gets invoked, it's probably an unnecessary reaction.

[gwenners.livejournal.com]

Most of the arguments why they might have done it are correct, too. People being murdered at such a high rate is just so much of a downer, you know.

i'm *so* glad our allies are looking out for our own best interests, oh yes I am. :-/

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

I hate the word (http://questioningtransphobia.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/with-credit-to-nezua-the-anxious-puppetmaster/) ally (http://radicalmasculinity.blogspot.com/2008/09/can-we-stop-using-term-ally.html).

And I think people fail to get that the point of TDOR also gives us a voice to talk about trans murders beyond the press' stupid "Tranny hooker fools john" headlines. The murder rate, how those murders are talked about... or that the seemingly low numbers only reflect the low numbers of trans people in general.

Then there was the way Heart last year quietly whined that trans people get too much attention when we're murdered... and she whined it on November 21st, very early in the morning.

I've been waiting for something like this to happen. :(

[heinousbitca.livejournal.com]

yeah i was kind of wondering if maybe i missed an announcement or something. apparently not.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

LJ are at it too- what's being advertised at the base of my screen here? You guessed it- ladyboys.

OFFBS!

Sigh :o(

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

I need to get a paid account to ditch the ads.

But I'm addicted to 15 icons.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Having said that- there is a real amusement factor to some of the stranger ads :o)

What does one make of:

'iron maid cleaners'

for example?

Or even:

'low cost student storage'

Verily, the mind boggleth! :o)

[kara-h.livejournal.com]

Although a paid account only keeps you from seeing ads if you are logged in. I chose to downgrade to basic, move my blogs elsewhere (locking current content), and use adblocking software.

[lisaquestions.livejournal.com]

True enough, although I am always logged in.