The official church service to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance took place yesterday, November 17th at All Soul’s Non-Subscribing 2nd Presbyterian (Utilitarian) Church, Elmwood Avenue, Belfast.
Pictured on the right; Miss Frances Shiels (Focus: The Identity Trust), the Rev.Chris Hudson, All Souls’ Church, and the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mairtín Ó Muilleoir
Hosted by the Rev. Chris Hudson (pictured below left) and his congregation, this service commemorated all those who have been murdered in 2013 for being transgender.
Also attending was the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mairtín Ó Muilleoir, (pictured immediately left) who spoke to the congregation on the importance of these events, specifically expressing his belief that more of these should be happening to ensure everyone, without exception, in Belfast and beyond is recognised and accorded their equal rights, and passionately speaking of his personal commitment to inclusivity in representing everyone in Belfast as their Lord Mayor. We thank the Lord Mayor for taking the time in his busy schedule to attend, and for his solidarity in marking the event.
During the service a number of other congregants and attendees played music or read poems and proverbs suited to the occasion and the message, after which a silence was held to commemorate those murdered in the last year owing to transphobic violence. This was followed by a ceremony incorporating a Tree of Remembrance where individuals could write messages or dedications to place on the tree. (pictures follow below).
The event was a fitting memorial to those to whom it was dedicated, and Focus: The Identity Trust would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the Rev. Hudson, his congregation, and to everyone involved for hosting the service, for their warm welcome, and for their every assistance in the preparation and smoothe running of the day.
The theme of Focus: The Identity Trust’s events being, ‘Walk in My Shoes’, the church was decorated with purple shoes, lining the aisles, and leading to the front of the church to the Tree of Remembrance.
Please click on any of the images to view a larger picture.
Some of our speakers;
Our Tree of Remembrance, with dedications, after the service;
Some other photographs;
