The Reconciliation Committee of Oak Park's Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church held a presentation and worship service Nov. 20 to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance. About 20 people attended the event, which was held in the sanctuary of the church.
Pastor Marti Scott introduced Violet Fenn, a transgender advocate and seminarian at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, who gave a presentation called "Living the Story." Fenn has been active with the Reconciling Ministries Network (which works for full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Methodist Church) since 2009, and is one of its two seminary interns.
In her presentation, Fenn explained who transgender people are, what issues they face and how the community can support them on their journey because she believes that education about transgender issues is one of the keys to equality. Fenn has been a transgender-rights activist for many years, but her activism increased when she was asked to leave her church's Sunday school class in her hometown of Tulsa, Okla., two years ago because of her transgender status. Fenn shared her life story, including the time she almost committed suicide; her complicated relationship with her family; and her transition.
Following Fenn's presentation, Scott continued the worship service with words about inclusion, a gathering prayer and a remembrance of the transgender individuals worldwide who died last year through acts of violence. Scott read each name, with every attendee lighting a candle to honor each individual. Scott concluded with a reading entitled "Day of Remembrance," and then everyone sang the song "Transgender Dead," which Phyllis Frye wrote in 2002.