Iowa celebrates first Transgender Day of Remembrance
Pauline Park, co-founder of the New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA), will be the featured guest for a host of activities this week celebrating the 11th National Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Park has been working for LGBT rights for more than 10 years, co-founding or working on Queens Pride House, Iban/Queer Koreans of New York, Out People of Color Political Action Club, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund and many, many more.
Screenings of her life story, "Envisioning Justice: The Journey of a Transgendered Woman", will be held at The CENTER on Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, a welcoming reception will be held for Park at The CENTER from 6-7:30 p.m.
Friday, Park will tour various college campuses, before returning at 5:15 p.m. to address participants in a candlelight vigil at the Capitol celebrating the lives of those lost to violence.
Vigil participants are encouraged bring photos and/or the name of loved ones they've lost on a sign to share the celebration of their life. The vigil will be held on the West Side of the Capitol. Real candles or open flames are not allowed Please bring flashlights or battery operated candles.
Saturday, Park will participate in Lambda Legal's LGBT Family Summit workshop about transracial adoption from 1-2:10 p.m. Sunday, Park will be participating in a forum and lunch at the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Transgender Day of Remembrance raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people and 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 transgender people and give allies a chance to step forward and show their support.
These events are organized by Equality Iowa. Co-sponsors are Interfaith Alliance, Iowa PFLAG State Council, One Iowa, SOFFA Iowa, The CENTER, and TransformationsIowa. In-Kind Co-sponsors are Grandview’s PRIDE Group, IHCC’s Pride Group, ISU’s LGBT Student Services, Iowa Department of Human Rights, and The Project.
