GLOW OUT(Genesee Livingston Orleans Wyoming Out) organized the first vigil for the International Transgender Day of Remembrance in front of Batavia City Centre on Wednesday night.
The group held candles and listened as the names of those who have been lost to homicide, suicide or transphobia this past year were read aloud.
The list contained the names of 32 people from all over the country.
“We come together in hope, support and sadness, but also in love,” says Lauren Berger, Organizer.
“We are going to remember these people for what they were when they were alive and the fact they are not here anymore pushes us further to make sure that this stops happening.”
Berger says she was impressed with the amount of people who came out on a cold, dark, busy Wednesday night.
“I think its really great that this first time event has so many people and that we can come together with this kind of compassion, its actually inspiring despite how sad it is.”
Another group, LC Rainbow Alliance, held a vigil at SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday night.
Berger says the groups plan to meet every year to remember victims.
