The Center to Hold Vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance, Saturday, Nov. 17

PALM SPRINGS, CA – The LGBT Community Center of the Desert, (The Center) announces that it will host the 2nd Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance held in the Coachella Valley on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Coachella Valley Transgender Community, Equality California, Human Rights Campaign, and The Center, the public is cordially invited to attend.

“Transgender Day of Remembrance is a reminder that we still have a long way to go in the fight for equality,” said Mattie Leyden, facilitator of the Transgender Support Group that meets monthly at The Center. “We need to remember all of those in the transgender community, as almost all of us have been in situations where we know how easily you can get hurt.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Held in November to honor Rita Hester, who was murdered on Nov.28, 1998, it began in San Francisco with a candlelight vigil in 1999. Today one in 12 transgender Americans is murdered, and 49 percent of transgender people attempt suicide.

The event will begin with a presentation highlighting transgender people who have died; followed by brief remarks by the Rev. Clinton Crawshaw from the Metropolitan Community Church of Cathedral City, after which candles will be lit in honor of those who have died.

The mission of The LGBT Community Center of the Desert is to enrich the lives of the LGBT community. A thriving, community-based organization, the Center provides a safe and supportive environment for members to enjoy health, wellness, educational and social programs, where people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The Center advances its mission through senior programming, a clinical counseling and internship program, a weekly food bank, youth suicide prevention and support, extensive social and recreational offerings, a David Bohnett cyber center, a growing volunteer program and periodic special events in the community.

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