Neill Equality Center Hosts Vigil For 'Transgender Day Of Remembrance'

Supporters of the LGBTQ+ community are remembering those who lost their lives this year by acts of anti-transgender violence by holding a vigil at Tulsa's Equality Center for "Transgender Day of Remembrance."

Krissy Dudley is a transgender woman here in Tulsa and works as the Administrative Manager at the Equality Center. She said being different doesn't warrant discrimination and told us it’s sad that embracing your identity can sometimes lead to death.

The world isn't black and white, but Dudley said all too often people act like it is. 

"People step up to be their authentic selves, and for whatever reason, they're not accepted, or they are treated as second-class citizens,” said Dudley.

Dudley said it wasn't easy coming out as transgender.

"I lived under a rock. Under a boulder. Under a mountain. A chain of mountains” said Dudley. 

It wasn't until her late 30s that Dudley decided to become her authentic self. 

"It's cost me a lot. It's cost me a lot in the family. It's cost me a lot in jobs in opportunities that I'm maybe not even aware of,” said Dudley. 

Dudley said it costs some people their life. 

More than 50 people gathered inside Tulsa's Equality Center to lift up those who lost their lives this year by acts of anti-transgender violence.

"We wanna celebrate their lives because their lives should not be wasted. Should not be in vain,” said Dudley. 

During the candlelight vigil, organizers read the names of 47 transgender or gender non-conforming people within the US that the Human Rights Campaign said were murdered this year either because of their gender identity or for reasons unknown. 

Alex Wade who works for Tulsa's Equality Center as the Medical Services Director and identifies as a transgender man said globally that number is closer to 350 victims.

That doesn't include those who have died by suicide, gone missing or faced other acts of violence.

 "So many trans people deal with depression, isolation, loneliness, anxiety,” said Wade.

Wade said he wants the trans community to know the world is better with you in it.

"If you don't have other people in your life who understand what you're going through or can support you, you're not gonna make it through,” said Wade. 

The Equality Center offers support groups for trans community members, as well as counseling and housing and medical services.

See the links below if you are interested in these services.

https://www.okeq.org

https://www.hrc.org