Reflection by Karen Nothe-Valley
“We remember those we’ve lost
Who died from fear and hate,
Let’s give deep support to those of us still here…
For Love, there’s no time to wait.”
–Trans Day of Remembrance Song, by Sherry Zitter
Recently, members of Grassroots Central Mass and friends gathered at the Sturbridge Common Gazebo on a chilly late afternoon — Thursday, November 20, 2025 — to acknowledge a solemn Trans Day of Remembrance, stand in solidarity with the trans community, help raise awareness, and most importantly remember and honor those trans individuals who have been violently killed solely because of who they are. We remember the beautiful souls taken from our communities simply for living their lives in authenticity and manifesting their own truths.
The Sturbridge Common Gazebo was subtly lit with a variety of unique candles, a visual testament to the beauty, authenticity, and light of some wonderful people we lost too soon. The outside temperature was a bit cold, but the warmth of collective compassion filled the space entirely.
Jeana Edmonds, an organizing member of Grassroots Central Mass, opened the event stating, “We are glad you are here as we gather to remember those transgender individuals who have lost their lives to murder or suicide and to work to bring greater awareness of the challenges transgender and non-binary individuals continue to face in our often highly toxic culture.’’ Jeana then welcomed each of us to share a poem, reading, a memory, or song, if that felt comfortable, as that would give our memorial even greater meaning.
Our key speaker for this event, Jackie Ryan, was introduced. Jeana noted, “In a recent article in CM Pride magazine, Jackie Ryan is described as an important Queer Changemaker extending herself into many communities to enlighten people about the unique challenges of transgender individuals, to facilitate a greater understanding of their lived experiences and to foster acceptance of them in every domain of endeavor.”
Jackie started her remarks by sharing the thought that this is a day to remember those lost in this fight. Jackie also cited a statistic, “that 281 persons have been killed in the last year due to who they are.” She also expressed concern about how those using their voices experience a higher rate of targeting. Additionally, Jackie stated, “This is a moment we need to speak out for the little ones to make sure that they don’t experience the horrors that I went through and worked to stop happening.”
Jackie worked on banning conversion therapy for minors here in Massachusetts and she expressed being terrified at the prospect of conversion therapy being brought back. Jackie talked about a concern about America becoming less accepting than it was when she was growing up and able to pursue the American dream. She urged all of us with a call to action, “For the sake of our children, for the sake of queer children all over this nation, I ask you to be their defenders, and fight back against the hate and intolerance that is being used as a battering ram to keep them in the closet. Take this message from today, I ask you to communicate with each other. Make sure that you’re reaching out to your loved ones, your families and making sure they know how loved and how welcomed they are. Because when we stick together as a community, that is when we win. When they break us apart, that is when we will fall apart.”
The GCM leadership team is grateful for Jackie’s personal and poignant remarks and passion for helping everyone with a focus on trans youth. Additionally, we thank Eric von Bleicken, Ann Toomey-Doane, and Jeana for their heartfelt readings. Because everyone had a chance to participate in singing the chorus of Sherry Zitter’s original song, as Sherry played guitar, a deep sense of community, embedded in love, emerged. We thank Sherry for this thoughtful contribution as well.
In closing, many thanks to all who showed up in solidarity, provided thoughtful readings and comments or conversation, sang together, and a special shout out to those who shared lived experiences. As nicely stated in Jeana’s’ closing remarks, “Let us bring our kindness into the world, and let us bring our love and joy and commitment to standing up [for others].”
The 2025 Trans Day of Remembrance event manifested as an expression of love over fear and spreading awareness in a way to heighten understanding and to help achieve a safer, more accepting world where all of us may live authentic lives.
“Trans Rights are everyone’s rights,
No one’s free ‘til we all are free…
When we blossom into who we truly are,
We fulfill our destiny!”
–Trans Day of Remembrance Song, by Sherry Zitter
