A group of about 50 formed a circle Wednesday night on the grounds of the former Bucks County Courthouse to honor and remember those who lost their lives as a result of being transgender.
As they embraced one another, some with rainbow flags draped across their shoulders, others with flowers in their hair, they said it was important to take part in the remembrance and call attention to the “strength and resiliency” of transgender people.
“It’s good for youth to know we’re thinking of them and we’re here for them,” said Axel Groves, a member of Doylestown’s Rainbow Room. Groves was handing out pink carnations to be placed on markers honoring those who have died. Planned Parenthood’s Rainbow Room began in 2002 to provide a space for meetings and activities for LGBTQ+ youth, age 14 to 21.
The Rev. Alexis Fuller-Wright, a new minister at Salem United Church of Christ, home to the Rainbow Room, felt it was important to attend.
“I think this is a very sacred night,” she said. “Jesus stood with those who (were) marginalized and vulnerable. This is in the spirit of Jesus.”
In a statement marking Trans Remembrance Day on Nov. 20, President Joe Biden said, “We must never be silent in the face of hate. As we mourn the loss of transgender Americans taken too soon this year, we must also recommit ourselves to never stop fighting until all Americans can live free from discrimination.”
Forty-seven transgender lives have been lost to violence since November 2021 in the U.S., according to the National Center for Transgender Equality. More than 25% of those deaths were in Texas and Florida, the center said.
November 20 has been recognized as Trans Remembrance Day since 1999.
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