Transgender Day of Remembrance Set for Redeemer

Church of the Redeemer, in Morristown, will honor the lives of men and women killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice on Sunday, Nov. 18 at its 10:30 a.m. service.

One candle will be lit to represent each life taken over the last year, and a brief history of each individual will be read as their candle is extinguished.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day set aside each year to memorialize those who have been 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.

Guest speaker Stephanie Battaglino will share her story during the service. A corporate vice president in the insurance industry, Battaglino successfully transitioned from male to female on the job in 2005. She serves on the boards of the LGBT Community Center of New York and the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund.

A screening of the film "Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" also will be shown at the adult forum, which takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. that morning. 

Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies are taking place worldwide this weekend. In addition to Church of the Redeemer, only two other events are planned for New Jersey, in Cherry Hill and Princeton.