Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil on Nov 20

Over 50 people attended the Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil organized by TransFamily of NW PA held on the steps of the Erie County Courthouse, 140 W 6th St, Erie PA on Wednesday, November 20. The names and stories of 37 people who had died in the U.S. due to violence or suicide as a result of transphobia were read by vigil participants, as well as a death that occurred in 2016 but was only positively identified in September 2019.This was the seventh consecutive year that there has been a local observance. After the vigil, TransFamily of NWPA and the Crime Victim Center of Erie County hosted a reception with light snacks to give attendees an opportunity to socialize and process their emotions. There was local media coverage promoting the event, and the Erie Reader sent a journalist to interview participants. Mayor Joe Schember prepresented a proclamation recognizing Transgender Awareness Week to Caitlyn Strohmeyer at his press conference the previous week. Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper also issued a proclamation recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance, which was presented at the vigil by Alex Whipple of the Erie County Department of Health.

Photos

Also view photos here.