Gay Community Center of Richmond: Cultural and social programming, event and meeting space and Diversity Thrift serving Central Virginia Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender residents

Each year on November 20, groups nationwide gather to celebrate the lives and mourn the deaths of transgender people who have lost their lives in the past year as a result of anti-transgender violence. This year Richmond’s Transgender Day of Remembrance was honored by a proclamation from Mayor Dwight Jones designating November 20 Transgender Day of Remembrance in the City of Richmond.

Two seperate ceremonies were held. In the morning, people gathered on the north lawn of GCCR to dedicate a living memorial, a magnolia tree, dedicated to the memory of all of those transgender individuals who have lost their lives. The dedication was followed by a reception in the GCCR gallery and lounge. That evening a candlelight vigil was held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on the Boulevard in Richmond.

The vigil included the reading of the names of those killed as a result of anti-transgender violence since November 20, 2009. This event was followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

Text of the proclamation issued by Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones

City of Richmond
Proclamation

WHEREAS, transgender people are victims of violence out of proportion to their numbers; and

WHEREAS, violence against transgender people often results in death; and

WHEREAS, we are a people with deep beliefs in tolerance, and we believe in a peaceful society; and

WHEREAS, it is important to remember those transgender people who have been victims of violence or murder; and

WHEREAS, the planting of a tree serves as a permanent reminder that we must band together to prevent anyone from being the victim of hate-motivated violence;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Dwight C. Jones, Mayor of the City of Richmond, Virginia do hereby proclaim November 20, 2010 as

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

in the City of Richmond and encourage all residents of our great city to join together in promoting tolerance, understanding, compassion and acceptance of the diversity of any individual or group of individuals.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed, the seal of the City of Richmond, the 19^th day of November, 2010.

Dwight C. Jones, Mayor
City of Richmond

PDF Scan of Proclamation (23 MB)

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