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Transgender Awareness Week Announced for November 15 – 20th
For Immediate Release
October 15, 2009
The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is proud to announce that November 15 though November 20, 2009 will be Transgender Awareness Week in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This week will be dedicated to educating the public about their transgender neighbors, co-workers, friends, and community members and the pressing issues that are currently facing the transgender people in Massachusetts. Events and educational opportunities are being planned around the state by MTPC and a variety of organizations and community groups.
Massachusetts is one of the few remaining New England states that does not have explicit protections for transgender people codified in its laws. This lack of state level protections negatively impacts transgender people and other individuals whose gender identity and/or expression may not conform to social expectations about gender. Specifically, this places those individuals in increased risk of bias in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. Some national studies have shown that up to 56% of transgender people have been fired because of their gender identity or expression.
“Currently, there is a bill before the state legislature; An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes, to add state level protections, but public education is also needed in order to dispel myths and negative stereotypes about transgender people which is why MTPC is sponsoring a week of awareness events.” Said Gunner Scott MTPC’s Executive Director.
Some of these events include a reading and book signing by local transgender author Joanne Herman from her new book “Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not.” This free reading on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 is sponsored by MTPC in cooperation with GLAD and Fenway Health and will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston. Joanne Herman has received praise for her non-complicated explanations of transgender for almost a decade. Now she has written down her explanations for all to read in “Transgender Explained For Those Who Are Not.” Organized by topic into short, easy-to-read chapters, “Transgender Explained” is perfect for parents, relatives, colleagues, friends, allies, and even journalists who want to quickly get up to speed on what it means to be transgender. Please RSVP to http://www.fenwayhealth.org/booksigning or call 617-778-0519.
Another event that week is the Crossing’s worship service on Thursday, November 19, 2009 titled “What Have You Heard” which will focus on understanding the transgender community. The Episcopal worship service will be followed be an open mic event featuring local transgender and allied performers. The Crossing is at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont Street. Worship is at 6:00 and the open-mic will be from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
The week will culminate on November 20th with the observance of International Transgender Day Of Remembrance (TDOR) with events being held nationwide, including Boston on Nov 20th at St. Luke’s and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Allston, MA and in the Pioneer Valley on November 19th at Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst Meeting House. International Transgender Day of Remembrance is a time when transgender and allied communities gather to memorialize victims of anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder in Boston on November 28th, 1998, which 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.
Organizations, congregations, college groups, civic groups, and community members are encouraged to increase their awareness and knowledge about transgender communities and issues transgender people face by attending one of the community events or by planning one of their own, such as a transgender movie screening, a book discussion, or a panel of transgender speakers. For more information on Transgender Awareness Week or to add your event to our calendar please contact MTPC at info@masstpc.org, by phone at (617) 778-0519 or visit our website at http://www.masstpc.org.
