Two decades ago, Orange County was considered a hot bed and breeding ground for anti-LGBT right wing religious conservatism. But apparently, love-based spirituality, compassion and acceptance have nudged aside hatred and intolerance—at least at Chapman University in Orange where tonight there will be a vigil for the 11 transgender women murdered in this country since last January. The last woman murdered—KC Haggard—was a 1977 Chapman graduate.
The vigil will be held Wednesday night at 7:00pm at Wallace All Faiths Chapel in the Fish Interfaith Center, Chapman University in Orange.
As if there was any question about Chapman University’s commitment to LGBT equality, the opening page of the website trumpets LGBT Issues in Education.
Additionally, the announcement and flier about the vigil was sent out via mass email from the Chancellor’s Office on behalf of Rev. Nancy Brink, Director of Church Relations. “Please join us for an evening of reflection, listening, and sharing as we come together as a community to honor these 11 lives,” she wrote.
The event is being organized by Rev. Brink and Addie Vincent, who identifies as “a transfeminine genderqueer (they/them pronouns) activist in Orange.” In an email, Vincent said: “I competed in Chapman’s Delta Queen pageant last year as its first trans contestant, and I’ve interned with The Victory Fund in DC.”
The organizers have also invited a number of speakers, including “incredible trans women of color like CSUF faculty member Jennifer Thompson and activist Jennicet Gutierrez (recently protested at the White House during an LGBT Pride reception).”
Last Friday, the TransLatina Coalition organized a demonstration in Hollywood to commemorate the recent murders of KC Haggard and India Clarke. Haggard’s murder was caught on security camera video tape and shows how passersby failed to heed her cries for help.
Tonight, those gathered at Chapman University in Orange County will #SayTheirNames.