Fourteen candles representing transgender individuals murdered in the U.S. this year were extinguished at dusk for Chicago's Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, sponsored by Illinois Gender Advocates Nov. 20.
In the 7-Eleven parking lot on the corner of Roscoe and Halsted, supporters and advocates of transgender rights honored the 28 transgender people killed worldwide this year, including Chicago's Kasha Blue, who was killed June 18.
The vigil served as a prayer of hope, a remembrance of those who have died, and as a call for advocacy.
'There is still reason to hope of a world transformed by love and understanding,' said Rev. Bradley Mickelson of Oak Park's New Spirit Community Church.
Kasha Blue was not the only victim of violence against transgender people this year, according to Laura Velasquez, victim advocacy coordinator of the Center on Halsted. Velasquez said that many crimes go unreported due to embarrassment and fear of retaliation.
According to Bill Greaves, director and community liaison of the city's Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, new state laws offering protections for transgender people serve as a glimmer of hope. 'But we have so far to go,' he said.
'We are all gender outlaws,' Greaves reminded the crowd. He emphasized the need for the LGBT community to work together and remind Illinoisans that transgender individuals have a right to be protected against violence.
Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, agreed with Greaves that the fight for rights must continue. 'Tonight we not only remember them and hold them up, but we commit ourselves that it won't happen again,' he said. 'We are digging our heels in and we'll be good and God damned if those people take away the rights and dignities that are ours.'
'We are entitled to not live in fear,' said Stevie Conlon, vice chair of Illinois Gender Advocates and president of Chicago Gender Society. 'No one gets a free pass for killing one of us.'