Joshy George

Today is International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people.

We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence, especially since the events of September 11th. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.

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On monday night I was on the Hack Half hour show discussing faith and sexuality. Here is some more information;

What role does your faith play in your sex life? 

For most religions sex is something that’s reserved for straight married couples but how is it that something that can feel so good be so bad? 

Obviously for some people these beliefs have deep spiritual meaning while for others they can cause angst and guilt. So why do these ancient teachings still hold such sway in modern society?

In the discussion are dedicated virgins, sex advocates, gay Christians, Atheist Chris Taylor from the Chaser amongst others and at the centre of it is eighteen year old Nathan who wants to wait till he’s married” (ABC, 2008).

Being Featured on the show is 20 year old Ben Gresham who will be sharing his experience of the ex-gay programs, the journey to reconciling faith and sexuality and his life now as a free, happy gay Christian.

“The most compelling piece features 20-year-old Ben, a Pentecostal believer who volunteered for two “anti-gay” programmes which had no effect in changing his sexual orientation. After two suicide attempts he eventually realised “God loved me, God accepted me just as I was” (Knox,2008).

Rob Smedley, Josh Bates & Poker Chen (from Freedom 2 b[e]) will also be on the show..

As well as Atheist Chris Taylor (The Chaser’s War on Everything), Ex-footy player turned Christian Jason Stevens and many more…

To watch the program go to here

To listen to Ben on Hack radio talking after show download the mp3 from here

This is the first post of my new blog! It has been a long time coming, so welcome to the new site. You will see improvements over the next few weeks as I play around.