Many Open and Affirming congregations will observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) this Sunday, Nov. 22. We especially recommend the practice of ringing a bell or a singing bowl as we share the names of our transgender and non-binary siblings who have died in the past year as a result of transphobic hatred. Here are some resources.
This powerful video, produced by Kimi Floyd Reisch, names those whose lives were lost. It is suitable for worship. TDOR VIDEO
Rivers of Living Water Ministries will host a TDOR service at 2 pm EST Sunday on Facebook Live @RIVERSNYCNJUCC. TDOR SERVICE
Plymouth United Church in Spring, TX, will offer a service at 8 pm EST (7 pm CST), also on Facebook Live. TDOR SERVICE
Also on Friday evening, PFLAG is offering a TDOR Virtual Vigil led by Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera—a member of the ONA Coalition’s Leadership Team—at 8 pm EST. TDOR SERVICE
The list of transgender family—principally transgender women of color—who were killed in the past year in the U.S. is available on the PFLAG website. We recommend ringing a bell or singing bowl as each name is read during worship. THE NAMES
If your congregation has images or video to share from your TDOR observance, please post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ONATDOR. May the Holy Spirit transform our grief into renewed determination to stand with our transgender and non-binary neighbors in our communities.