Transgender Day of Remembrance is Nov. 18 at United Church of Wayland

The transgender community invites the public to honor and increase their knowledge and understanding of transgender persons from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the United Church of Wayland, 411 E Superior St. in Wayland.

In the past year, 70 transgender persons world wide and 22 in the US have died violent deaths at the hands of others without provocation, other than living a different lifestyle.

Speakers for the program will include

• Ms. Davison Nicholas, MA, a transgender woman and mental health clinician in Southwest Michigan who is a tireless advocate for the trans community at large.

• Taryn Vitale, BS, a proud mother of a transgender child and activist for the LGBTQ community.

Local Area Gay/Straight Alliance Groups also will participate in this event.

Coleen Young, a retired high school teacher and long time advocate who is coordinating this event says “With education comes understanding. With understanding comes acceptance. This is about honoring the dead, educating the public and seeking acceptance.”

For more information please contact her at coleenwyoung@yahoo.com.