Transgender Awareness Day

[boigrrl1der.livejournal.com]

TransGender Michigan
29097 Yorkshire Lane * Warren, MI 48088
tgmichigan@ameritech.net * 517-420-1544
www.transgendermichigan.org

"Striving to improve the lives of transgender individuals in Michigan
since 1997"

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rachel Crandall, MSW, Executive Director of
TransGender Michigan
517-420-1544 or tenofnine@hotmail.com

TransGender Michigan Proudly Declares Transgender Awareness Day!

On a balmy night in San Francisco, August 1966, a group of
transgender women fought back against a police raid at Compton's
Cafeteria, a popular hang out of the time. The Riot at Compton's
Cafeteria, as it was dubbed, marks what many believe was the
beginning of the transgender equality movement.

Although the specific date and many of the details surrounding the
Riot at Compton's Cafeteria have been essentially erased from
history, it is TransGender Michigan's goal to let the bravery of
these transwomen live on by educating others about this momentous
event and about transgender identity. TransGender Michigan hopes to
achieve this goal through the creation of a day devoted to increasing
understanding about transgender identity and issues, which shall be
called Transgender Awareness Day.

Transgender Awareness Day will be held annually on August 15 in honor
of the Riot at Compton's Cafeteria. TransGender Michigan encourages
organizations from all corners of the globe to celebrate Transgender
Awareness Day through educational events and efforts. TransGender
Michigan intends to list these international Transgender Awareness
Day events on their website, www.transgendermichigan.org, so
organizations who are planning these events should contact
TransGender Michigan at the address listed above.

This year, in honor of Transgender Awareness Day, TransGender
Michigan plans to hold a celebratory event on Sunday, August 15 in
Flint, as well as a joint fundraiser and awareness-builder at The Zoo
in Flint on Thursday, August 19. Specific information regarding
these events will be listed at the TransGender Michigan website.

"Unfortunately, many say that the transgender equality movement is a
relatively new one; however, our movement pre-dates Stonewall, the
date most consider the beginning of the gay and lesbian civil rights
movement," says Rachel Crandall, MSW, Executive Director of
TransGender Michigan. "While Transgender Awareness Day may be a new
event, but it is definitely not a new way of thinking."

Transgender Awareness Day should not be confused with an existing
event organized by Gender Education and Advocacy entitled Transgender
Day of Remembrance (TDOR). TDOR is an event dedicated to
memorializing individuals who were killed because of anti-transgender
hatred or prejudice. TransGender Michigan is a strong supporter of
the Transgender Day of Remembrance and participates each year;
however, TransGender Michigan felt it was important to create a day
devoted to increasing awareness to fight against the attitudes and
beliefs that perpetuate such violence.

Chimes Secretary Carrie Tune-Copeland, "Obviously there is much
education needed. Ignorance, discrimination and violence against
transgender individuals runs rampant in our society, and we at
TransGender Michigan believe education and advocacy to be important
remedies to this disease. We know that individuals and organizations
across the world agree and will stand with us in this fight."

TransGender Michigan is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated
to improving the lives of transgender individuals in Michigan. Their
services would not be possible without the generous support of people
like you.