Editor’s note: On Sunday, Morristown’s Episcopal Church of the Redeemer will honor victims of anti-transgender violence. Here are the details.
FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER:
Church of the Redeemer will honor the lives of those who have been killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice, on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at the 10:30 a.m. service.
Candles will be lit to represent each of the 49 lives lost over the last year, and a brief history of each individual will be read as their candle is extinguished. Special prayers and music will accompany this service of remembrance, and Babs Casbar Siperstein will share her story of being a transgender person during the sermon.
Ms. Siperstein was the first transgender member of the Democratic National Committee’s Executive Board.
Barbara “Babs” Casbar Siperstein is one of the Garden State’s most dedicated, high-profile LGBT activists. She was born as Barry Siperstein in Jersey City and spent the first forty years of her life as Barry, and is making up for lost time as a fierce advocate for equal rights for all.
The Rev. Cynthia Black, rector of Church of the Redeemer, sees this annual service as a time of both mourning and empowerment.
“Just as we had ‘Take back the Night’ marches in the 1970’s for women to claim their power, this is an opportunity for the whole community to stand in solidarity with our trans brothers and sisters and say no to violence.”
The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day set aside each year to memorialize those men and women killed as a result of the hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people. This day is designed to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
The Church of the Redeemer, located at 36 South St., Morristown, is a Christian liberation community in the Episcopal tradition, serving the people of Morristown and beyond for more than 150 years.
Sunday services are at 8:00 (prayer book) and 10:30 am (inclusive language). As part of its practice of radical hospitality, the church provides space to the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown, the Eric Johnson House (part of NJ AIDS Services), a number of 12 step groups, and Empty Bowl Zendo. To learn more, please visit: www.redeemermorristown.org
