‘Being brave is the definition of being trans’: Portland vigil honors transgender lives lost to violence
Around 40 people gathered Thursday night at First United Methodist Church for an interfaith vigil marking Transgender Day of Remembrance. The Nov. 20 observance commemorates transgender people who have died as a result of anti-transgender violence. This year’s vigil was the 10th time Portland faith leaders have held the annual event, though different congregations have hosted the event over the years.“The main point of this is to show that there are religious organizations in town that support and uphold the fundamental dignity of transgender, nonbinary people,” said Emma Lugo, an event organizer.For First United Methodist Church, the event reinforces the church’s stance on transgender and queer acceptance, said the Rev. Rachel Byers, pastor of discipleship and outreach.A soloist leads the congregation in song at the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, part of an interfaith program centered on mourning, reflection and solidarity.Chiara Profenna“The first United Methodist Church has been a reconciling congregation for over 30 years,” Byers said. “That means that they’ve been welcoming and affirming queer clergy and members for the last 30 years, and that has not been the case in the denomination at large.”The vigil offers the transgender community a collective space to lament and mourn together, Byers said, in an inclusive and safe environment that welcomes people of all gender identities and faith backgrounds.During the vigil, transgender attendees were invited to speak and share their perspectives. Several described their lived experiences, advocated for greater political representation and encouraged the community to stay resilient amid what many described as an increasingly hostile political climate.“I think it’s important to understand how we got here,” said Jasmine Wright, who spoke during the program. “Both for younger people, to understand the struggle … but also from an older perspective, to give them the respect of what has happened on both sides.”The chapel at First United Methodist Church was the home for the 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, which brought together Portland faith communities to honor transgender lives lost.Chiara ProfennaWright, one of the few transgender attorneys in Portland, spoke about the legal and political realities facing transgender people, emphasizing the lack of transgender representation in the Oregon government and the vulnerability of the community under the current legal and political systems.“Being brave is the definition of being trans,” said Cassidy Brown, a speaker at the vigil. “Our very existence is an act of bravery, to step outside the accepted norms and say, ‘I know who I am’ no matter what anyone else says.”The heart of the vigil was a reading of the names of transgender people who lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. Organizers lit candles in their memory, placing each one on the church altar.Organizers light candles on the altar at First United Methodist Church during Portland’s 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil.Chiara Profenna“Really what’s central to the vigil is saying the names,” Lugo said. “We include people who have been murdered and people who have died by suicide, not everyone, but we include at least some of the transgender people who died by suicide in the last year.”Dozens of candles covered the altar by the end of the role call.“I was surprised when I first started coming at the length of a list of names and how young people were,” said Leila Wice, an attendee. “That’s not a surprise in the same way anymore.”Wice, who came as an ally to the trans community, said the annual event feels layered with more meaning this year.“It feels like there’s so many things right now — like community efforts — that are more necessary than ever in the current political climate,” Wice said. “I think more and more we have to accept those invitations and show up for each other across communities.”The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
