We will gather to remember the transgender persons around the world whose lives were taken from them because of their gender identity. The LGBT community, and our allies, are all welcome and will be invited to read a name of one of those we remember.

We are very excited that Diverse Harmony has agreed to perform two selections for us. Diverse Harmony is a nationally recognized LGBT youth chorus that has generously given its time and its talent to give special meaning to our ceremony.

Our featured speaker will bring some controversy to our ceremony, but it is important that she be heard. Our speaker this year will be Seattle Police Chief, Kathleen O’Toole.

As we know, there is some anger at the difficult relationship between the Seattle Police Department and minority communities, including the LGBT community. However, Chief O’Toole will be heard with dignity and respect.

At its heart, TDOR is about violence perpetrated against a person because that person is regarded as less than human because of their gender identity, and all too often, because of the color of their skin. We cannot even begin to see progress in the elimination of these horrific acts unless we are willing to reach out to persons of good faith in law enforcement, who actively seek to make minority communities safer.

When we support those in law enforcement who are willing to make the changes necessary to provide us with that safety, we give them the strength to effect those badly needed changes.

Throughout her career, Chief O’Toole has been one of these officials. Still, we respect the rancor, and even fear, with which some of our community regard law enforcement. So, I encourage you to look into the TDOR that we are hosting at Ravenna United Methodist Church. The speakers will be African American activists who understand the transgender community and will speak on the effect of race in the violence that is inflicetd on transpersons of color.