READING came together over two nights to observe Trans Day of Remembrance, with speeches from Reading Pride, SupportU, and members of the community.
Reading Pride’s MyUmbrella LGBT+ project held the annual vigil which celebrates diversity and advocates for LGBTQ+, especially trans, rights.
It also acknowledged and paid tribute to all of the trans lives lost to hate-related violence, which are listed along with the circumstances of their deaths.
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Tony Page, was in attendance, joined by deputy mayor of Bracknell Cllr Jenny Penfold, deputy mayor of Wokingham Adrian Mather, and Cllr Liz Terry, at the event in Reading Biscuit Factory on Sunday, November 19.
The film began with host Christina Dearlove, Co-Founder of Reading Pride’s MyUmbrella LGBT+ project, who said: “Tonight, we come together in solemn remembrance, but also in solidarity.
“As we gather for this Trans Day of Remembrance vigil, as we honour the lives of those we have lost, we affirm our unyielding commitment to the pursuit of justice, equality, and dignity for our trans community.
“It is essential to recognise that trans rights are not isolated rights–they are human rights.
“Our struggle is not separate from the broader fight for equality and justice. In the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we find the words that should guide our collective efforts: ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.'”
Ms Dearlove was followed by Cllr Page, who spoke about the importance of making Reading a safe place for trans and queer people, especially in his role as the first gay mayor of the town.
He said: “I know the town for a tolerant and understanding community, and I re-emphasise its warm embrace of people of all cultures and diversities.
“Particularly those who identify as trans and other minorities in our community.
“It’s important that members of the LGBT+ community feel supported; we have organisations which are experienced and well-placed to offer that support.
“I would encourage anyone who feels in any way suicidal not to embark upon that course, and to reach out.”
The film saw further contributions about personal experiences from Support U’s Vi M, and Jasper Locke, before drag performer and events organiser Jasmin Wade gave a performance of a poem written for Trans Day of Visibility earlier this year.
The piece explored the ways that they experience trans joy–situations where they feel accepted and affirmed in their identity–and the many ways in which their body is used as a focus of hatred as a queer, Hindu person of colour.
It then showed clips of a number of speakers at the protests which took place outside Downing Street earlier this year, followed by a contribution from Talia Button, who spoke about finding their community.
A contribution from Davina Louise Barraclough explored their experiences as a trans person in relation to their time as a Navy veteran brought up in a conservative mining town.
“I was almost beaten to death by a group of youths the day after Trans Day Of Remembrance 2021, which was ultra scary.
“Because even though I wear several medals when I attend Military functions like Remembrance Padre past the cenotaph in London and have done several tours of active duty, I actually thought I was going to die.”
She added: “Sometimes I just want to be almost invisible, no, not important, just blend without the finger pointing, the jeers, the laughing, the hate, and the spite.
She closed with a quote from Suzie Izzard: “Shout at me and I’ll shout back, leave me alone to live my life, and I’ll show you the same courtesy.”
Reading Pride’s Kerry Kleis narrated the annual State of Hate presentation, which breaks down major milestones and political events in the last year affecting trans and queer people including protests and relevant changes in legislation.
Ciara Roisin Clarke followed, sharing her experiences as someone who didn’t feel ready to be who they were until their mother passed away as a result of disapproval during their childhood.
“Mum told me that if I ever ‘came out’, I would be disowned and excluded from the family., yet despite all my efforts to stop, it just never went away.
“When my mum died a few years ago, I finally decided to come out and live the life I really want– today I’m glad I made the decision to come out.”
Further contributions from singer/songwriter Lady Jezzika and director of Trans in the City Emily Hamilton were followed by a collection of clips from a protest in Portsmouth earlier this year.
Andrea Christine Brookes, co-chair of Newbury Pride, then spoke about those who had lost their lives this year, including Brianna Ghey, and Alice Litman, who took her own life after waiting years to receive healthcare at the age of 20.
The film then honoured the lives lost to hatred in the year leading up to the day of remembrance, with hundreds of people killed or who took their own lives, including five people in the UK.
Of the five people– Alex Bendall, Brianna Ghey, Ezra Jackson, Finn Hall, and Matty Sheldrick– three were under the age of 20, and all were under the age of 30.
At least three of them were confirmed to have taken their own lives, with a fourth being considered as a possible suicide.
After a performance of Leo Sumner’s Transcendence, Ms Dearlove closed the event with a short speech thanking the speakers, Newbury Pride, Support U Trans in the City, Reading Biscuit Factory, Reading Student’s Union, Reading Rep Theatre, Market House, Support U, Biscuit Tin, Reading Minster, Thames Valley Gay Chorus, and Thames Tower.
The film was shown again on Monday, November 20, the date of Trans Day of Remembrance, at Reading University’s 3Sixty.
TDoR was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialise Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered in Massachusetts in 1998.
The film is available to view in full on Reading Pride’s YouTube Channel
