About three years ago, writing an article about LGBT youth for an introductory journalism class, I had the opportunity to speak with Sylvia Guerrero of Newark, California. Sylvia's daughter, Gwen Amber Rose Araujo, was a transgender woman. She was brutally murdered in October 2002 by four men after they discovered that she was born male. Gwen was 17 years old.
Tomorrow, November 20, is the 12th annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance. Set aside each year to memorialize the countless transgender individuals, like Gwen, who are murdered worldwide because of hate and prejudice, the day serves as a moment of reflection for the larger lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied community. This Saturday, we will all stop for a moment not only to remember our fallen transgender brothers and sisters, but also to reflect on the harsh realities facing those transgender folks who are still living.