Transgender Education Collaboration

Hope to see many of you at the potluck celebration of the transgender community, this Saturday March 23 from 7-9pm at the West Michigan Pride Offices:

211 Logan St. SW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Open to all, including allies!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Transgender Day of Remembrance: One Year Later

On Sunday November 20, 2011, The Transgender Education Collaboration, in partnership with Plymouth United Church of Christ, held its first annual Transgender Day of Remembrance service. Over 100 individuals from throughout West Michigan participated in the service, remembering and celebrating the lives of those from the Gender variant community who were killed in 2011.

According to ThinkProgress.com, over 116 transgender people were murdered around the world in the first nine months of 2011, with seven of the murders occurring in the United States, with most taking place in Latin American countries. TMM, a project of Transgender Europe, estimates that at least 681 transgender people have been murdered in 50 countries since 2008. "People are being killed due to their gender identity or presentation. It is that simple, that horrific. If we don’t pause to remember and to grieve, we will not rise to act in order to stop such horror,” said Reverend Doug VanDoren, of Plymouth United Church of Christ.

"We are gathering together in community on this 14th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance to memorialize transgender individuals who have lost their lives this last year. It is very important, because we must make sure that these silenced voices are heard. The transgender community still faces discrimination and hate and by coming together, we will continue to build our resolve as a community to face the challenges ahead. In solidarity, we can really push for change.” said event organizer M Kelley. “Through the sharing of stories, music, reading of names and other presentations, this year’s service will create a space where we are free to mourn those lost while building up our local transgender community” said Kelley.

Dr. Julie Nemecek, a nationally known activist and educator, who provided the keynote address at the 2011 West Michigan Transgender Day of Remember service said, “When I think of all the transgendered people around the globe who have been killed, I think of the second phrase from Lincoln’s address from near the end of his remarks he said, “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.” My hope and prayer is that part of the TDOR observance is that we too will “highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.” This evening, let’s use these tragic deaths to rekindle our resolve for justice, equality, and safety that these dead shall not have died in vain. I urge you to join me in that resolve”.

The 2012 West Michigan Transgendered Day of Remembrance will be held on Sunday November 18, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4010 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI. The service will have secular and spiritual overtones as recognition that some in the transgender community have been shunned by religious traditions and would not feel comfortable in a church setting.

Please join us:

Time: 6:00 p.m. 

Date: Sunday November 18, 2012

Location: Plymouth United Church of Christ 

Address: 4010 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 

For more information, please contact:

transgendercollab@gmail.com or

The Reverend Doug VanDoren

plymouthp@wmis.net or 616-455-4260

Online: www.trans-edu.com

By: Jena S Lewis

So the ever famous Southern Comfort conference is happening right now in Atlanta. As someone who has been working throughout my transition and beyond I have never been able to afford to go.

How about you do you have any stories to tell about Southern Comfort?

A genderqueer friend of mine and I debated and spoke at length about the levels of "transgender privilege" and how to some extent (their argument not mine) transition was a privilege ONLY for the rich and lucky.

Could Southern Comfort be seen as an extension of that privilege? I know I for one have always had desire to go but never the means, and I am sure there are way more trans people in the boat than are filling the hotels in Atlanta. What do you think?

We want to hear from you. What do you think? 

Hello Readers,

The Transgender Education Collaboration is proud to announce that we are on the road to becoming an official non-profit. As part of that process, we are looking for 4 amazing board members. Are you interested in being a part of this organization? Please contact us at transgendercollab@gmail.com before the end of the month, and you will be provided a short questionaire to fill out, which will be reviewed by our steering committee, with decisions to be made by the middle of August, and hopefully our first board meeting to be held in August. 

If you are interested do not hesitate to apply!

By, Jena S Lewis 

So apparently right now the Episcopal Church is debated about inclusion of transgender people into their heirarrchy of ministry. At first thought I said to myself cool, then I realized...Wait a minute, The Episcopal church already allows ordination of both men and women, so what in the world is the debate? Yes I know what you are thinking "Jena! How Binary of you!" But you know what I am saying right?

I do not think that the Episcopal church is so forward thinking that they are debating the issue of genderqueer people behind the pulpet. So again what is to debate? Why would anyone think excluding someone from the pulpet because of being transgender when you already have an inclusive stance of gender already?

The Episcopal church has already taken a pretty bold step in being inclusive of Gay and lesbian clurgy and lay staff, what am I missing? How are we just now coming to the table for consideration? Unlike lesbian and gay people Christ even keyed in his feelings and understanding of gender diversity. In Mathew 19 in little red words Jesus says, Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to be eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. So he pretty much has said "Meh what's the big deal...they exist, and they exist for many reasons one of which to serve the Kingdom of heaven." So if He has spoken why debate?

I for one think the issue has been resolved and no more debate is needed. All should be welcome to use the spiritual gifts they are given no matter their history. What do you think?

For more information you can follow this link http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-religion-gaymarriage-transgenderbre865017-20120705,0,1286151.story

The opinions in this post are that of the author and not necessarily  that of Transgender Education Collaboration, its sponsors, or members. 

By M Kelley

Today is March 15th, meaning we are nearly halfway to the International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st.  We have also had 5 of the 17 events take place. So how is the Transgender Visibility Campaign going?

Well we had the honor of being interviewed on PaleoRadio, which was a special experience for Jena and myself. It was a great platform to share about Transgender Issues, and also raise awareness about the Transgender Visibility Campaign.

We had around 25 people attend the Transgender Ally Open House on March 3. The Transgender Faith Panel that took place at a local Seminary was well attended and a good conversation starter. We were also excited to have 30 people show up for the exciting event with Occupy Grand Rapids, which included a lot of great discussion. Then just last night GVSU hosted Transgender Activist Buck Angel.

Things are going great, and the campaign has been quite well received so far. We are really excited to be raising awareness of these issues in our community. But where are things headed in the next week or two?

This Friday, Holland PFLAG is hosting a panel to discuss HIV in the Transgender Community- a very important and exciting event. Next Tuesday, the Transgender Education Collaboration and GSAIF will be teaming up to provide an educational event for youth (both transgender and cisgender youth). Then on the 24th we will be partnering with Plymouth UCC to host a Transgender Faith Summit.  There are some exciting events coming up, so head on over to our calendar tab and check them out!

Thank you to all who have come out, all who have shared, all who have volunteered to help, and to all who support us! Together we are changing our community through education!

The Transgender Education Collaboration would like to thank West Michigan Pride for hosting an amazing Ally Open House this past Saturday. Thanks to all who came out to the event, it was a great kick off for the Transgender Visibility Campaign!

By M Kelley

March is two days away, and with March comes the kick off of the Transgender Visibility Campaign. The mood for me is one of excitement.  Taking in to account independent events, events put on by the collaboration, and private events- we have a grand total of 15 transgender related events being put on in West Michigan between March 1 and April 6! That is thrilling, and way more than I ever expected when the baby steps of the campaign were starting. We are so thrilled that the community has responded so well!

I would also like to announce that during March we will have regular blogging on Tuesday and Thursday, so keep a look out on this page for some awesome blogs!

We are also excited the Jena and myself will be getting interview this Friday at 4 PM on PaleoRadio  (95.3 FM in Grand Rapids), and hope you will tune in!

We hope to see you at as many events as you can attend!

-M