Transgender Day of Remembrance
Warning: Content and links describe violence and suicide.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, 988 for LGBTQ+ is still functioning in Oregon. Just call or text 988.
John,
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance—a day to honor those lost to anti-transgender violence. I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on its importance.
Please pause, and read the names below to honor their lives.
This Equitas Health Website list shares 41 known transgender individuals who passed away this year in the U.S., many at their own hand. On a computer screen, this seems just another list, but each of these folks who had the wherewithal, determination and courage to find their own heartfelt identities were ultimately overcome by an increasingly hostile world.
While their struggles were complicated by other challenges, their stories are both unique and universal, joyful and heartbreaking. They are but a small fraction of those like them who lived with complexity and died in trauma and pain.
Sam Nordquist was brutally tortured for a month and murdered by a gang of seven.
Jonathon Joss was shot while standing with his transgender partner as they surveyed the torched remains of their home, the arson also a violent attack on their lives.
The vivacious and somewhat wild JJ Maye hung herself in her parent’s garage.
Parker Savarese
Elisa Rae Shupe
Aubrey Dameron
Tahiry Broom
Sam Nordquist
Ervianna Johnson
Amyri Dior
Linda Becerra Moran
Jordan “JJ” Maye
Katelyn Rinnetta Benoit
Kaitoria Le’Cynthia Bankz (“Kai”)
Norah Horwitz
Kelsey Elem
Shy’Parius Dupree
Karmin Wells
Charlotte Fosgate
Jonathan Joss
Tessa June
Jax Gratton
Hope Lyca Youngblood
Laura Schueler
Emma Slabach
JJ Godbey
Christina Hayes
Lily-Dawn Harkins
Gabrielle Nguyen (“Cam”)
Kia-Leigh Tabitha Roberts
Kamora Woods
Nathaniel Pabón Cruz (“Nata”)
Arty Cassidy Beowulf Gibson
Dream Johnson
Rosa Machuca
Blair A. Sawyer
Aurora Pellegrina (“Alexa”, “Luna”)
Onyx Cornish
Kasí Rhea (“Kaeyy Holmes”)
Robyn James Post
Blake Sturm
Blaze Aleczander Balle-Mason
Scarlett
Tiara Love Tori Jackson
In remembering their deaths, we also hold in our hearts those whose names we will never know. But most importantly, let us love and support all our living transgender and non-binary siblings. They are our family.
From JJ’s grandmother’s remembrance:
“My husband and I worried that given JJ’s issues, no one would come. We were so wrong. Hundreds of people lined up to pay their respects, tell their stories, and we stood there for 2 hours receiving them. She had so much support at school, several teachers had a safe space for her. Other members of the LGBTQ community came by who didn't even know her….
“…In her suicide note JJ asked us to tell her story.”
May JJ’s story save others.
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text, 24/7): 988
Oregon Crisis Resources (by county): OHA Website
LGBT National Hotline (limited hours): 888-843-4564
With Love,
Your Stonewall Caucus Leadership Team
Chair: KC Hanson, Gresham
Vice-Chair: Dakota Boulette, Eugene
Past-Chair: Bret Cecil, Port Orford
Communications Officer: Karen, Central Oregon
Treasurer: Thomas Wrisley, Bend
Recording Secretary: Cristian Mendoza-Ruvalcaba, Medford
Members: Dane Zahner, Chair of the Douglas County Stonewall Caucus
