SALT LAKE CITY -- A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday to mark the 15th anniversary of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance.
The event was held at the Arbor Manor Reception Center, and it's a yearly chance for Utahns to mourn and remember transgender individuals who have been victims of acts of violence.
Candice Metzler, board president of Transgender Education Advocates of Utah, said she hopes events like these become obsolete.
"Our hope is that one day we wont need these events, that some day this event will work itself out of existence, that would be a beautiful thing," she said.
According to a press release from TEA of Utah, Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank spoke at the event, which TEA Executive Director Connie Anast-Inman said meant a lot to them.
“The reception from the law enforcement community to participate has been felt very deeply by all of us allies and community members,” Anast-Inman said in the press release. “As the numbers rise and more accurate reporting of these horrible crimes are established, the better we as a society will be able to offer support, education and prevent these hate crimes from happening. It’s time that everyone is treated as a human being, first and foremost. Knowing that law enforcement feels the same is very encouraging.”
Community leaders and others attended the event. The names of those who have lost their lives to violence, murder, medical apathy and suicide were read, in order to allow the community to come together and recognize those individuals.
