Transgender people killed around the world remembered in Reading

Over 300 names were read at the Transgender Day of Remembrance.


WRITTEN BY READING EAGLE
READING, PA — 
The names of more than 300 transgender people from around the world who were killed in the last year were read Tuesday night at Calvary Reformed United Church of Christ in Reading.


Dozens of people turned out for the ninth annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, a nationwide event held to commemorate transgender men and women killed.


Ben M. Renkus, president of the Reading PRIDE Celebration, said this year's remembrance has taken on an even greater importance locally because groups have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the Boyertown School District's transgender bathroom and locker room policy.


“Now is not the time to sit back and accept what is happening,” Renkus said. “Now is the time to be visible and active.”


Tuesday's event highlighted the names and faces of 22 transgender people killed in the United States this year.
​

Among the victims remembered was Shantee Tucker, 30, who was shot and killed in Philadelphia on Sept. 5.