Transgender Day of Remembrance
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Beloved Siblings in Christ,
November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance. On Sunday, November 21st, we will memorialize all the transgender individuals lost to anti-trans violence across the U.S. in 2021 with the lighting of candles and tolling of a bell as each name is read. Trans persons are subjected to extremely high rates of violence, and we invite you to learn more about trans, non-binary and gender expansive individuals to help break the stigma and honor our baptismal vows to treat everyone with dignity and respect (BCP 305). In keeping with our commitment to continue learning and using our privilege for positive change, we hope you will take a moment to learn more and thus, help educate others.
With Thanksgiving just a week away, this is the perfect time to learn more about the history behind Thanksgiving and its impact on native cultures, past and present. Here are a few suggestions for expanding your understanding:
Learn more about the Wampanoag tribe, the natives who lived in the area where the pilgrims settled, and arguably helped secure the establishment of the American colonies.
Learn about the National Day of Mourning. Started in 1970, this is a day to mourn the genocide of native Americans.
If you have children or are involved with local schools, lobby educators to teach accurate history with respect.
De-colonize your own perceptions of American History, with An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States.
We have the opportunity to be a voice for change. Let's make a commitment - as a community - not just to reading about inequality, inequity, and injustice, but to taking action. Perhaps it is best said by the Prayer for Joy in God's Creation (BCP 814): "O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
-Philippians 2:4
The clergy and staff of Trinity Episcopal Church +