Rally held to support Black trans women as Trans Day of Visibility approaches

Protestors assembled en masse on Saturday, March 7,demanding the protection of Black trans women’s lives and decrying the violence against all trans women. The rally began at the Cal Anderson Park playfield, where a vigil was held to remember and honor lives violently lost in recent years. Members of the protest took turns to speak, voicing their appreciation for the collective support, while admonishing the ongoing hate crimes, often cases of murder, targeted toward those who identify as transgender. A heavy rain loomed as protestors began to march up Pine Street and southbound down 12^th Avenue. Signs were displayed and songs were chanted as the march continued through Capitol Hill.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protestors gathered at Cal Anderson Park to hold a vigil and begin their march in support of black trans women’s lives and to remember those who had been murdered

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Hundreds of protestors showed their support, many supplied with signs and musical instruments

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Site of the Cal Anderson park vigil where both trans and non-trans lives, who had been murdered in recent years, were honored and memorialized

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian The majority of protestors chose to maintain anonymity to protect themselves from law enforcement

This gathering will be one of many nationwide as the March 31 Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) nears – an international event and day of observation that began in 2009 with a mission to celebrate the transgender community and its contributions, and to raise awareness toward the transphobia and discrimination faced by trans lives across the globe. TDoV arose in response to and as an extension of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), which was created by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in 1999 to condemn, grieve and memorialize the brutal murders committed toward the transgender population. TDoR is recognized worldwide, wherein local events are held by local communities and organizers across the globe.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protestors coat the pavement in chalk to voice their cause

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protestors decorated the park’s baseball batting cage with signs, photos, flowers and writings to honor those lost

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian A protestor holds a sign as the march makes its way from Pine Street to 12th Avenue

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protestors march in a downpouring rain that spanned for the majority of the event.

The local TDoV event is calling for participants to share their stories via video; offering experiences, advice and support for the community. For more information and to join the March 31st event online, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/2518632758444796/

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protestors march westbound down Madison Street

For more information on local TDoV events happening locally in Seattle, please visit: https://seattletransvisibility.org

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian The march spanned through much of South Capitol Hill’s city streets

For current Seattle Central College students who are interested in becoming a more effective ally within the transgender community, or would simply like more information, a a Spring 2021 course on Queer and Trans History is being offered.

Additional course details:

The course code is HIST 281 and will be taught by Dorian Alexander. The class will meet from 11:00 AM to 11:50 AM on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s.

For additional college support and resources, please contact Seattle Central’s student club, Queer Cooperative, which seeks to support and empower the LGBTQ+ community both on-campus and throughout the area: https://www.facebook.com/Queer-Cooperative-1569344666718873/

Rally held to support Black trans women as Trans Day of Visibility approaches

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