Every year around 40 transgender people are reported to be murdered worldwide. Dozens and maybe hundreds more go unreported. Since 1998 transgender movements all over the world commemorate 20 November as a Transgender Remembrance Day.
Bishkek activists, mostly lesbian, bisexual women and transgender people gathered at Ala-Too square to honor those transgender people who were killed in hate crimes. In Kyrgyzstan transgender people often experience violence from their families, police and street gangs. There were no murder cases reported, but the activist community is aware of dozens of cases of severe violence against transgender people. The Kyrgyz cases include death threats, persecution and severe beatings from families. One transgender woman had to flee Kyrgyzstan fearing for her life.
Participants of the event lit candles for 26 murdered transgender people and released 26 baloons with the victims’ names on them. Each event participant had two candles and balloons with case information.
The organizers of event feared that the police might detain them for an unsanctioned meeting, yet the policeperson who stopped by only asked what was happening.
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Dear friends, as organisers of the Dutch Transgender Day of Remembrance we greet you. It warms our heart to see that also in the places where daily discrimiation takes place, people stand up for their right to remember. Two of us met with one of you in Amsterdam a few months ago. We are happy to see you are still “alive and kicking”. Together with COC and Amnesty International we counted 60 people in Amsterdam.
Let’s keep the flame of freedom and human rights alight.
Yours in solidarity, the Noodles, Amsterdam based queer trangender collective for freedom of sex, geender and sexual orientation
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
Judith, thanks a lot. Labrys is doing a lot of work on the issue. Idetforce, I am not sure what you disagree about.