Very few things sadden me as much as going to the annual TDOR. I understand and fully embrace the need to remember those who were victims of violence due the their gender diversity, but the act of reading the names and all-to-brief bio’s of these people is just too sad when I realize that so much of this is due to prejudice and hatred towards people who simply want to live their lives honestly. It feels to me like a form of terrorism; that you should take this as a warning. Shouldn’t we treat and prosecute these cases as such? I think so. We should treat them as hate crimes and domestic terrorism.

This is why bullying should be on the top of our equality “to-do” list. We need to address the atmosphere of fear that bullies create. We have to address it at home, on television, in our schools and in the legislature. Passing transgender anti-discrimination bills across the country will be a start; but it’s only a start. How do we change the minds of these rage-filled maniacs?

I will be happy when I don’t have to reserve November 20th for a Transgender Day of Remembrance.

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