Written by Rainbow Room Youth*, Photos by Rainbow Room Director Marlene Pray
Planned Parenthood Keystone’s Rainbow Room held Bucks County’s annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, Resilience & Resistance vigil on Wednesday. Dozens of youth, families and community members joined the powerful event, held annually to remember the trans people who have died from hateful violence in the past year and to join together in community to re-dedicate ourselves to the fight to honor and protect our trans community.
Every seat was filled at the event in Doylestown, with standing room only overflowing into the hallways.
Slips of paper with the names of our beloved trans siblings who died from violence were read aloud by volunteers in attendance.
A flame was passed around from one candle to the next, symbolizing the lives of transgender people who have been lost to violence, with the act of lighting candles representing a way to remember and honor their memory.
Rainbow Room youth, CJ and Fiona, played Loose Lips by Kimya Dawson as the flame got passed from person to person. CJ was joined by another Rainbow Room youth in facilitating the vigil.
We held every little light, shining for a moment in our hands, as we acknowledged the memory of trans lives lost to murder, and the many more lost by suicide caused by violence, discrimination, neglect, and harassment.
One of the most powerful parts of this annual Vigil is when the microphone is opened for anyone present to speak what’s on their heart and mind. Many trans youth and several parents spoke – and tears, laughter and applause were abundant.
Some offered support and resources. Some shared poems they wrote. Some told their story. Picture here are the co-leaders of the Bucks County PFLAG chapter, a very active group of volunteers, providing support and resources for families of LGBTQ+ people. PFLAG was one of the many cosponsors of the Rainbow Room vigil and once a month there is a PFLAG meeting at the same time and location as the Rainbow Room so that families can come together.
Some gave messages of hope. Others celebrated their joy, and some simply spoke from the heart.
Everyone listened. Everyone was there because they care about transgender lives, and want to remember the lives lost and support the people still here. We believe in a future for trans lives. We hope that one day there won’t be any names to read, or any candles to light. We hope that one day trans people will stop facing the violence and bigotry that permeates their lives. We remember those we have lost, and hold on even tighter to those still with us.
For more information about the Rainbow Room visit: https://linktr.ee/rr_rgb
* Due to concerns for personal safety, the trans youth who contributed to this story has asked that their name not be included. *
