Gay Life Staff Writer

On the evening of Friday, November 20, over 150 people gathered at Baltimore's City Hall to celebrate and remember the lives of members of the community who we have lost due to anti-transgender violence at the Transgender Day of Remembrance 2009. Marking the first time the event has ever been held inside the marble building, several community organizations were present to support the ongoing efforts of event organizers to bring awareness to the brutality and violence transgender persons continue to face all over the world. They included the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Balitmore (GLCCB), PFLAG of Baltimore County, Equality Maryland, Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP), Women Accepting Responsibility (WAR), Planned Parenthood of Maryland, and Gender Learning Advocacy Support System (GLASS).

In addition, several top representatives from city government and agencies were on hand to recommit, on behalf of their organizations, to follow, pursue and honor to the fullest current legislation, especially the Transgender Anti-Discrimination Bill. Alvin Gillard, Director, Baltimore City Community Relations Commission and Kevin Cleary, Community Outreach Director for the Office of the President of Baltimore City Council also presented proclamations on behalf of the Mayor and City Council, respectively.

Community organizers and advocates, including Falina Laron, a peer educator and outreach worker in Baltimore, Keith Holt of the Baltimore City Youth Commission, and Sandy Rawls, Founder and Director of Trans-United, spoke on their experiences and work in the community. Following musical selections from The Positive Voices of Baltimore and New Wave Singers, attendees held a candle light vigil outside in front of City Hall where the names of hundreds of transgender people lost to violence throughout the world this past year were read aloud.

For photos and additional information about Transgender Day of Remembrance 2009, visit www.baltimoregaylife.com/news/tdor.