Day of Rememberance or Night of embarrassment

Your point about having the same people making contributions during the program is somewhat misleading. Some of the people in the program were the same, and some were not. I agree that finding and encouraging new people each year would add effectiveness and expand the sense of community. Regardless of who was in front of those gathered, the meaning of the event was fulfilled. We reflected on those who lost their lives. We were provoked to examine our thoughts by inspirational poetry and song. We enjoyed personal sharing that motivates us to go forward together with a degree of integrity.

Overall, the program did seem shorter than the year before. This may have been a result of having to relocate the activity, or some other unforeseen circumstance. It would be good to hear from Gwen Smith or others about this.

There was one unfortunate distraction. Someone had been offended by something said or that was taken out of context, igniting a reaction an individual choosing to vent loudly on Gwen Smith to one side of the room as a performance was underway. To me this was childish and rude. Several people gathered to take in the activity were unable to receive the intended message of the presentation because they became more concerned about the outburst. People with issues about the program or something said should be mature and self-disciplined enough to support the overall meaning of the event and take up their differences in private after the program had been completed.

I would like to see an organized escort back to the point of origin for those who do not feel comfortable trying to find a buss or who would not want to walk back to their vehicles alone and in the dark.

The number of people present at the event may have been down, I didn't count last year or this year, but if it was then it was only by a few faces. There was a fairly good showing and the march stretched out for more than a block. We were escorted by S.F.P.D. The officers worked with volunteers and did a good job of keeping participants in compliance.

I was again, touched by the meaning and appreciate the efforts and commitment of all who are working to keep the event alive. So much is at stake. Reading the article posted above may mislead the public who are on the outside looking in. They might mistakenly think that the rest of us are capable of nothing more than internal conflicts, cheap shots and petty rants that discount the purpose and meaning of our annual TDOR gatherings. They might also not realize that they too are invited and that their presence is important, valued and appreciated. We can and must do better next year! Those who were killed and their families together with those who remain at risk deserve our very best efforts.

The outburst or distraction was needed. Everytime I go to an event being hosted or held by Gwen Smith at least one speaker will talk about in-fighting. That is the distracting part; not an outburst by someone who REALLY wants the violence to stop. No other event held in San Francisco for the TG community does one have to hear about in-fighting. I only hear about that crap at Gwen Smith' events. It is NOW obvious who they are talking about. If the violence is going to stop the TG community needs to get real and put the qualified on the front lines. (not the in-fighting talk a lot of shit activists.)
The real deal is the fact that Gwen Smith is always writing to and or bad mouthing the so-called mainstream media and she never once considers the reasons behind their madness.
If she can't respect Trans media then she will never respect any media and she will earn the disruptions.
The message will never get out if the media is ignored or disrespected.
As a trans person I will NEVER attend another TGDOR.

I agree with your comment, Jaime. Personally, I attended the event with my partner because we wanted to be with our community to remember the violence of all forms against transfolks, from violence to poverty to lack of decent health care. Ninety percent of the event did exactly that, and brought everyone together in what I thought was an appropriate way. Shouldn't we all stand together at an event that amounts to a community funeral? Aren't we all there for similar reasons?
Personally, I was unclear as to what the comment was that set the folks at TrannyTalk off. While I'm sure their concerns are valid, I was dismayed, and continue to be dismayed that the event might be viewed as an appropriate place for the media to air their grievances. Funerals are a place for folks within our community to remember our dead, not fight with the living.

I am a supporter of Tranny Talk and they did not air their greivances. Gwen Smith mentioned Tranny Talk and admitted that she mispoke. It was not the intentions of the folks from Tranny Talk to even be mentioned. They just wanted to attend the event like everyone else, so while they were grieving they also got disrespected. A double whammy.
The folks from Tranny Talk did not care about being mentioned and they did not want any attention. It is my opinion that Gwen Smith tried to give them recognition but failed. She should have never mentioned them in that arena.
The folks from Tranny Talk are on the front lines of alot of shit and combatting the hate and violence is one of them.