Trans Remembrance Day honored in Castro Valley

Castro Valley Pride hosted a vigil to recognize Trans Remembrance Day on Saturday, Nov. 19. A night that started out by waving trans flags and playing music soon turned somber as the attendees listened to the 375 names of transgender people that were killed in the past year, a number that is likely too low due to the number of cases that go unreported. 

“Today’s event is to honor the trans community and the struggles that they face…especially trans folks of color,” said Austin Bruckner, organizer and CVHS graduate. 

Trans people of color, especially trans feminine people of color, face a disproportionate amount of transphobia in everyday life compared to white trans people, according to people at the event.  

Lawmakers in multiple states have written laws limiting trans people’s rights, especially trans women. 

Attendees at the event believe it is prudent that when people recognize and honor this day to remember how many more trans fem people of color (specifically Black and Latinx) lose their lives every year due to violence. 

“I’m happy that there is a supportive community that supports trans people. I’m trans myself, so I like to come to these to show my support. This is specifically a vigil, a reminder of who we lost, so it’s important that I’m here for these,” said Luca Dito, a senior. 

However, despite the somber mood of the event, there was still an urgency from attendees for change. 

“I’m glad that there are people here today supporting trans lives. I hope that the people here today support trans people while they are still alive. And continue to support policies and the demands and needs of trans people, like the abolition of police or the dismantling of capitalist power structures,” said Thana Orchard, a lifelong resident of Castro Valley. 

Orchard showed her frustration in the lack of action from cis allies against trans violence and transphobia in general. They called out Castro Valley Pride, the organizer of the event, for its support in the sheriff’s department, because Orchard believes law enforcement in general contributes to the violence inflicted on trans people. This continued support can create a space that feels unsafe for trans people and LGBTQ+ people of color, they said.  

“I feel like unless the people here actually do things to protect trans people out of this event this is performative activism, it doesn’t feel like it is actually helping the trans community,” she said. 

Activists at the event think that in Castro Valley, and in our state and country change has to happen. More needs to be done to protect trans people from violence and hatred that is being pushed at them every day. 

“People tend to celebrate trans lives after they’re lost and they don’t do enough to empower us and protect us while we’re alive,” Orchard said.