By Zoyer Zyndel
Trans-E-Motion, a community benefit organization that works to improve the lives of transgender people and their allies through education, support and advocacy in Fresno and surrounding areas, is hosting two events in November.
On Nov. 17, Trans-E-Motion will hold a rally to protest the staggering number of murders and suicides of transgender people annually, including local transgender residents. The group is also protesting the recent No Camping Ordinance passed by the Fresno City Council, as it further criminalizes Fresno’s homeless population, which includes a considerable cross-section of the LGBT community. The rally begins at 4:30 p.m. at Fresno City Hall (2600 Fresno St.).
On Nov. 20, the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) honors the lives of transgender individuals who died due to murder or suicide. It is intended to provide a safe space for transgender people and their allies to celebrate and embrace their identities. The event begins at 6 p.m. In North Gym Room 118 at Fresno State.
The No Camping Ordinance generates a social climate of stigmatizing homeless individuals, dehumanizing the poor and offers no real solutions for homelessness in Fresno. The local lesbian, gay, bisexual and especially the transgender community already experiences barriers when it comes to social mobility, for example, lack of access to employment, adequate healthcare and housing.
The trappings of “pinkwashing” and token recognition that has been the Fresno City Council’s support in the past five years is no longer need. Now, tangible solutions are needed to institutional discrimination.
At the TDOR, those whose lives were taken will be honored through singing, written and spoken poetry and art. There will also be inspirational speakers addressing topics such as transgender, gender diversity, inclusion and the importance of being an ally to the transgender community. Information on crisis services, resources and organizations in the local area will be available via a resource fair. A memorial will be held to honor transgender individuals who have died from violence this past year.
It is important to increase community awareness about the level of violence this community experiences and the shocking rate of 41% of transgender individuals who have attempted suicide. It is imperative that members of our surrounding community take responsibility to reduce the numbers of transgender people who die because of stigma and oppression.
Trans-E-Motion Fresno is a community benefit organization that works to improve the lives of transgender people and their allies through education, support and advocacy in Fresno and surrounding areas.
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Zoyer Zyndel is the chair of Trans-E-Motion. Zyndel received his B.A. in English from Fresno State in 2012. He is currently working on his master’s in the Social Work program at Fresno State. He has been an organizer with the LGBTQ+ community for 11 years. Contact Trans-E-Motion at 559-285-0795 or transemotion@ gmail.com.
