Ramapo’s Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ services, the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) and the Center for Health and Counseling Services hosted a vigil and proclamation for Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on Nov. 20. TDOR is observed annually on Nov. 20 and serves to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia.
At 1 p.m., students gathered in front of the Arch to hear speeches from Marie-Danielle Attis, Assistant Director for the Center for Student Involvement & Coordinator of OVP; Andrea Oliver, MSW intern with the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ services; senior student speaker Jules Bernard and President Cindy Jebb.
This particular vigil was focused on the 31 people who have been killed this year, one of whom was killed within the last five days. Bernard was able to read these names off for those who gathered, and they reflected on their experience in an interview with The Ramapo News.
“As a trans student, it is extremely important to not only have that visibility, but to encourage allyship, and more than anything, not encourage despair,” they said. “Knowing that there is still hope and so much love and life within the trans community is…crucial, especially now.”
It is important to note the statistics of fatal violence against the transgender and gender-expansive community just in 2024 as of Nov. 20: 77% were victims of color, 53% were Black transgender women, 60% were killed with a gun, 39% of victims with a known killer were killed by a romantic/sexual partner, friend or family member and 40% were misgendered or dead named by authorities or the press.
Given that the topic is very heavy, the offices brought in TevaLand Sanctuary Farm — a non-profit organization that rescues and rehabilitates discarded farm animals — for students to meet and connect with as a form of relaxation and therapy.
“Having the animals here was essentially kind of a place for people who went to the vigil and also just the [people on] campus in general to … have a safe place to relax after,” Oliver said. While they noted that the vigil is “beautiful and meaningful — it’s still stressful and really upsetting,” so being able to give students a space to debrief afterwards was essential to the event.
Freshman Keira Shannon attended the event, saying, “I figured the animals would help [to] destress me … I’ve been really stressed about everything and I saw cute bunnies.” Freshman Sam Tropea went along with Shannon, but did note that he also “really likes animals.”
Students were able to take turns sitting with groups of animals, which included bunnies, hamsters, guinea pigs, chickens, chicks and a duck. Founder and owner of TevaLand, Taly Ron, aided participants in holding and feeding the animals, and even taught them some interesting facts.
While students were waiting for their turns, they were offered activities such as writing and coloring in a sheet focused on creating a self-care plan. It encouraged them to think of how they can take care of their mind, body and spirit, especially over the upcoming break. There were also sections to note the supportive people in the person’s life and what they’d like to accomplish.
Megan Johnston, Ramapo’s Health Educator, also had a box of fidget toys and informational pamphlets regarding topics like healing from trauma, dealing with anxiety and stress relief.
Although TDOR is only recognized once a year, it is important to remember to practice allyship and empathy throughout the whole year.
Say their names. Remember their names — not just on Nov. 20, but everyday. Quanesha Shantel. Santonio “San” Coleman. Honee Daniels. Kassim Omar. Redd, also known as “Barbie.” Vanity Williams. Tai’Vion Lathan. Dylan Gurley. Monique Brooks. Kenji Spurgeon. Shannon Boswell. Pauly Likens. Liara Tsai. Jazlynn Johnson. Yella (Robert) Clark Jr. Michelle Henry. Brandon “Tayy Dior” Thomas. Reyna Hernandez. Kita Bee. Starr Brown. Sasha Williams. Andrea Doria Dos Passos. River Nevaeh Goddard. Tee “Lagend Billions” Arnold. África Parrilla García. Meraxes Medina. Alex Taylor Franco. Diamond Brigman. Righteous TK “Chevy” Hill. Kitty Monroe.
For more information on the offices, contact women@ramapo.edu, ovp@ramapo.edu or stop by D-216.
ajones11@ramapo.edu
Featured photo submitted by Richard Brown
