Dunn Meadow memorial honors lives lost because of gender expression

Gloomy weather and pouring rain foreshadowed IU’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, an event honoring those who have been killed for their gender expression.

The event was created after the murder of Rita Hester 11 years ago, according to the International Transgender Day of Remembrance Web site.

This year was IU’s first large event for the remembrance day, and it was put on by National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals at IU.

There were 245 signs and tombstone-shaped markers in Dunn Meadow with the names of those murdered in hate crimes in the past decade.

Following  speeches in the Fine Arts Building was a funeral procession where 119 transgender people murdered in the past year were named, along with the location, date and cause of death.

Many people’s genitals cut off, their bodies mutilated and body parts burnt off.

“This day is extremely personal for me, and I say that because for the most part I love my life,” said Kay Johnson, a transgender activist and Bloomington resident. “Today is a sobering day because it reminds me that I can die just because I carry myself the way I do.”

Transgender people do not identify with the gender that they were assigned to at birth and do not follow gender norms constructed by society.

Johnson is a transwoman, meaning she was born male but considers herself to be a woman and lives socially as a woman.

Johnson has a distinct, deep male voice, long blonde hair, a feminine physique and wears traditional woman’s clothing like a dress and high-heel boots.

Her alternate appearance increases the likelihood of her being harassed, Johnson said.

“By being happier and more fulfilled, I am more likely to get killed,” Johnson said.
Many of those involved with Transgender Day of Remembrance knew somebody who had been killed either psychologically or physically because of how they identified themselves.

Sophomore Chris Kase, president of NOGLSTP at IU, has seen how suppressing one’s transgender identity can lead to self-destructive behaviors.

During her speech, Kase “came out” about her relationship with two transwomen.
Kase’s ex-husband told her that he had always wished to be a girl, but refused to accept that he was transgendered.

He suppressed himself into the two-gender system by being an alcoholic and a cocaine addict.

He also had threatened suicide multiple times by pointing a gun into his mouth.
Kase said her husband felt the need to keep his transgender identity a secret.

“I will push down who I am so as to not evoke opinions of fear, hate and disgust within others and myself,” Kase said, interpreting her husband’s thought process. “I will discriminate against myself because I am afraid of what society would think of me if I expose who I really am. ... I live in a world that kills people like me so I will kill myself with alcohol and cocaine in the long, drawn-out, self-inflicted death so you won’t have to kill me.”

One of the stories told was of Taysia Elzy, a friend of Vicci Laine, a transwoman, Bloomington resident and an HIV/AIDS activist.

Elzy and her boyfriend were shot to death in their Indianapolis apartment on Dec. 26, 2008.

Laine said Elzy was a sex worker because she felt that was the only way she could make a living.

“The news really wanted to play on that she was a sex worker and that somehow that is why this crime was committed,” Laine said. “Taysia, no matter what she did for a living, was a beautiful person. She was fun, she was alive and she was always laughing and smiling.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance impacted many IU students as well.

Freshman Sarah Klapperich attended Transgender Day of Remembrance in honor of her girlfriend who recently came out as transgendered and is going through gender therapy.

“This is all for her,” Klapperich said. “I want to be there for her.”

Dr. Aren Aizura, visiting lecturer of gender studies, wore bright colors and makeup in honor of the event.

“Transpeople are fabulous and we stand out,” Aizura said. “Transpeople dazzle a little more and are more noticeable. ... If we keep dazzling, we win.”