Remembrance...

[Guest Tiaria]

Three years, it is still just three years ago. It feels like eternity...

While I have never been the victim of a hate crime, I do happen to have known one... (in some sense, I still do...)

About six years ago, I met someone at my grandmother's home, who was assisting my grandmother in house keeping. That someone was Harry 'Harriët' Wiersinga, a crossdresser/transvestite. I'll keep to 'she', from this point on, as I guess that is what 'he' would have preferred...

Harriët was well known throughout the city as a bridge builder. And even though she basically did 'everything that was forbidden by God' (not my words), she was deeply religious, and active in the religious community, with a penchant for counseling the sick and dying.

On 28 march 2007, she was violently assaulted at the Spui, the Hague, by a 26 year old passer-by, who most likely was 'bothered' by her overtly female behavior. The perp was caught the following day, even though he refused to say anything. The nerve! Assaulting someone in broad daylight, on one of the busiest streets in the city. This case is considered a hate crime, by the police.

After the incident she was admitted to a local ICU (don't know which one), with a skull fracture, shattered lower jaw, a broken ankle, and a burst lung.

Sadly, three weeks later, she died from the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage. Harriët died in the hospital, 18 april 2007, age 55.

Harriët, rest in peace...

(I just remember, there should still be a news paper clipping, somewhere...)

Which brings me to the next order of business: we really should try to keep a place in our hearts for those who have been hurt, or (God forbid) killed, because of who they are. Those who have been through something as horrible as this, need all the support that can be had. As for those who died: If we forget them, they are well and truly dead. If we remember them, they live on inside all of us.

Please share your stories, if you have them. I will, however respect it if you decide not to. I have no wish of tearing open old wounds...

Hug, and a sympathetic ear,

Tiaria

Ps.

I just remember, when she and my father first met, she kissed him, square on the mouth; which is not really 'right', according to Dutch etiquette.

[Guest Donna Jean]

...

Tiaria.....

I want to say that I'm sorry for the horrific loss of your friend...

There's little I can say for the state of humanity for someone to be able to hate so deeply as to do this sort of thing...

Just think...Most of the time one can walk down the street in relative safety ...but, affect a mannerism or wear an article of clothing or even a certain pair of shoes and it would enrage a total stranger enough for them to kill you over...

Unbelievable....

I want to cancel my membership to the human race....

Donna Jean

[Carolyn Marie]

Tiaria, I am so sorry to hear about this terrible tragedy. Your friend is one of many, too many, who have

died unnecessary and horrible deaths at the hands of those who hate for no reason. This year, there were at

least 26 such deaths, and probably many more that went unreported.

This Saturday is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Even if you can't get to a ceremony, or there is none to be held in your community, please take a few moments to remember those who were taken from us, and gives thanks

for their lives and their accomplishments, and a prayer for all that they could have accomplished.

Love

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Tiaria]

...

Tiaria.....

I want to say that I'm sorry for the horrific loss of your friend...

There's little I can say for the state of humanity for someone to be able to hate so deeply as to do this sort of thing...

Just think...Most of the time one can walk down the street in relative safety ...but, affect a mannerism or wear an article of clothing or even a certain pair of shoes and it would enrage a total stranger enough for them to kill you over...

Unbelievable....

I want to cancel my membership to the human race....

Donna Jean

Thanks, Jean

I only found out when I noticed a news paper clipping on one of the walls in my home (Collaging an entire wall happens to be my mother's hibby). At the time (about two and a half years) it didn't feel so surprising, and it felt 'far from home' as I had barely met her, much less known her.

Now, I have my own gender related worries/problems, and it all hit home. I felt so terribly ashamed, when I realized I had the small thoughts of 'freak' and 'weirdo', which was very small of me. Now, I feel bad as I have no way of making up for it...

[Guest Tiaria]

Tiaria, I am so sorry to hear about this terrible tragedy. Your friend is one of many, too many, who have

died unnecessary and horrible deaths at the hands of those who hate for no reason. This year, there were at

least 26 such deaths, and probably many more that went unreported.

This Saturday is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Even if you can't get to a ceremony, or there is none to be held in your community, please take a few moments to remember those who were taken from us, and gives thanks

for their lives and their accomplishments, and a prayer for all that they could have accomplished.

Love

Carolyn Marie

I will, I definitely will. Guess Amsterdam would be a good place to look...

Tiaria

[Carolyn Marie]

I will, I definitely will. Guess Amsterdam would be a good place to look...

Tiaria

Tiaria, here is the info for the Netherlands event:

The Hague, Netherlands

Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event

in the centre of The Hague, The Netherlands, november 20, 2010

Organized by TNN (Transgender Netwerk Nederland) and COC Haaglanden.

Part of the programme this day will include a torch walk.

More information will be published through www.transgendernetwerk.nl and http://www.cochaaglanden.nl

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Tiaria]

Tiaria, here is the info for the Netherlands event:

The Hague, Netherlands

Will be holding a Transgender Day of Remembrance event

in the centre of The Hague, The Netherlands, november 20, 2010

Organized by TNN (Transgender Netwerk Nederland) and COC Haaglanden.

Part of the programme this day will include a torch walk.

More information will be published through www.transgendernetwerk.nl and http://www.cochaaglanden.nl

Carolyn Marie

Thank you very much, 'though I just found the same information a few minutes ago...

Tiaria

[Guest therisa]

Tiaria, this subject to me, is still a very raw wound upon my soul, as I experienced at home, from my younger brother and while, going to school during the 70s and 80s. Sadly, back then, it was dismissed, as "boys being boys."

therisa

[Guest Jessie M]

and they say humans are the intellegent ones. hmmm, maybe people should be the one in cages and the other animals should be on the outside looking at us and studying us.

Jessie

[Guest erinanita]

I am very sorry about the death of your friend, Harriet.

I'm sure that most of us know someone who has been killed or injured by those who do not accept us. There was a girl in our community in my city that was attacked outside of her apartment. Luckily she was not killed. We all need to be ever-vigilant that our lives could be in danger. Some countries are making progress by recognizing that trans persons exist and putting words in their anti-hate legislation to protect us. There will never be a guarantee against violence.

Thtufus

[Guest Tiaria]

Hmmm, maybe people should be the one in cages and the other animals should be on the outside looking at us and studying us.

I know the feeling... sometimes I think this entire planet is a massive cage in an intergalactic zoo, with aliens pointing at us to teach their kids not to be so foolhardy... (I know, I know, 'it has not been proven', bla bla bla...)

Let's face it, we have hardly evolved past the 'animal' stage, and no animal has become so adapt at systematically wiping out it's own kind, be it small scale or large scale...

"Some people just want to watch to world burn...", and sometimes, so do I.

Anyways, the DOR is today, and I'm going... I think I owe it to Harriët's legacy...

[Milly]

Im so sorry to hear about that... today is a horrendously sad day and a sobering reminder. Each and everyday is precious. We live our lives, we are who are, there are other people who hate us. Many of whom would take that hate and act upon it. Could be some random person. Honestly I bet its gonna be me next. What with I working overnight in a convenience store right in the middle of heehaw ville and with all the pissy looks and obvious bias when they see me and go to the next register to get the next worker... what I do take from this day is this. Watch yourselves people. The world is a very dark and grim place. Just please be careful, I love everyone here even if I don't show it. I hate hearing something happens, it makes me so mad at the world. It is our world, let's spread the word and the love. Its all we can do to change the world for the slightly better. Idk Im probably not making sense, im dumb like that :x