An angel gets her wings when a butterfly delivers a soul

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: KHLONGWANGCHAO / ISTOCK / THINKSTOCK
No matter what sexual identity you have, equality should be inevitable; on Nov. 20 remember those who have lost their lives trying to be who they are.

Often, our students fail to see the person beyond the professor standing in front of the class. Some of us are guarded, others open. Regardless, we are human, and with all of the strengths and flaws we carry, we have a singular purpose in our jobs: to pass on our professional experiences and education to our youth. But the work we do outside of the classroom and outside of our college community is equally important.

For myself, I grew up in a liberal household where both parents came from print media. This always led to some insightful dinner table conversations and provided us with an education we couldn’t get at school. This has impacted my life significantly, and consequently I have been engaged in human rights activities for decades.

As a young adult in the ’60s, I had far more idealistic approaches and with less focus than today.

For several decades, I have worked with the LGBT community in their pursuit of equality, and today the focus is primarily on the transgender community as they struggle against well-organized and loud but equally uninformed and ignorant opposition. I have never hidden this interest, but neither have I brought it into the classroom. I have had students approach me for guidance of course, and they have always been referred to the appropriate resources in the college. Today, I can say that some of my closest friends are graduates of Fanshawe and they are from the LGBT community. This has always been a discussion between my wife, who is a counsellor at an elementary school, and I about the lack of resources available.

This brought me to our Positive Space group at the college where I have been a faculty member of the group for many years. It is a group set up to educate our staff and faculty about LGBT. It is an association I am proud of. Sadly, our elementary and secondary education systems are not so well-equipped. “Transgender” seems to be everywhere today and it is hard to find someone without an opinion. For better or worse, Caitlyn Jenner has been a catalyst for this conversation. Even with this questionably positive development, the ignorance surrounding transgender issues has blossomed. This is an equally large problem that has manifested itself in legal discrimination either by law or due to the lack of laws. In some places, being openly LGBT can be a death sentence. South America in particular, is noted for its annual slaughter of transgender people.

Globally there are about 500 deaths of transgender people reported each year. The operative word here is, reported. Statistically, it is estimated to be three times greater. This is a human tragedy overlooked by authorities and media alike.

Some of these murders are more inhumane than the imaginations of a team of Hollywood horror film writers. The details are deeply disturbing. What is more appalling is that some of the laws introduced to African countries have been as the result of North American extremists. One man is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his role in promoting death laws for someone found and convicted of being LGBT.

Each year on Nov. 20, ceremonies are held globally to remember those who have been victimized because of the fact that they are transgender and to raise awareness.

This year, the US had more reported transgender deaths than in its past. Canada has been lucky that there were no deaths this year.

Of course there were other crimes with varying degrees of assault, but no deaths. The disturbing part of this is that the victims will live with that experience every day of their lives.

Transgender Day of Remembrance here in London is a moving ceremony that this year will see increased participation from our Fanshawe community.

This is something of which I am proud. We as an educational community are involved and caring people both inside and outside the classroom. This is the kind of representation the greater population needs to see.

On Nov. 20, please light a candle and if you are inclined, say a prayer or spend a moment in silent reflection for these victims. Deaths among the LGBT are increasing for no other reason than wanting to live authentically as themselves.

Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.