By COLIN McEVERS
In the past month, as the LGBTQ community’s challenges continue to remain at an elevated level of focus on the Salisbury University campus, a Transgender Care & Experience Symposium was held on Nov. 20 in the Guerrieri Academic Commons assembly room. Several transgender members of the community spoke during the event, including a four-person panel of individuals who answered questions about their experience, shared personal stories and expressed hope for the future.
Colin McEvers/The Bury Post.
Hosting this event represented SU’s recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance. Started in 1999 as a vigil to honor the memory of a murdered transgender woman, Rita Hester, the annual occasion recognizes the lives lost to anti-transgender violence.
Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, signed a proclamation which commemorated Transgender Day of Remembrance in the state of Maryland on Nov. 20, 2024.
“…Whereas, the State of Maryland is proud to celebrate our vibrant transgender community and is committed to creating a home where transgender people can thrive,” Moore wrote in one line of the proclamation.
In the spirit of remembrance, several panelists at the event shared personal stories of loss that they have witnessed and experienced in the LGBTQ community.
Tina Jones, the Treasurer of Delmarva Pride Center, told the audience about a non-binary foster child who committed suicide.
“The child poisoned themself in our house, probably the most traumatizing thing I’ll ever go through in my life,” Jones said. Jones explained how the propagation of hate and feelings of estrangement contribute to such tragedies.
However, as time progresses and as younger people take on positions of leadership, society appears to be moving in a more inclusive direction.
“The people spreading hate are going to die off,” Jones said. “You [all] are the future.”
Vienna Cavazos, a Diversity Lead for Bullet Proof Pride, told the audience a story about a seventeen year old friend of theirs named Jack, who went missing in his home state of Texas.
“A couple of days [after he went missing], they found him dead in a ditch,” Cavazos said. “I took multiple mental health days, this year has been a roller coaster of emotions…
“What stung is, we went to the same LGBTQ+ support group and knowing there are people who die when they don’t have to, to be taken at the age of seventeen from apparent suicide.”
When Cavazos was a child, their mother moved from Texas to Delaware due to policy issues concerning gender affirming care. Now, Cavazos is excited to see younger generations getting involved.
“Knowing there is a generation of youth, students, [and more] who we know will have our backs in this fight for equality is a good feeling,” they said.
The symposium concluded with a vigil which recognized dozens of names of those who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. After each name was read, a bell from the GAC bell-tower, directly outside of the room, was rung.
Featured image courtesy: Salisbury University
Maryland Maverick News 
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