Elgin vigil remembers transgender lives lost to mental health and hate crime
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A VIGIL has been held on Elgin Plainstones to remember transgender lives lost to mental health and hate crime.
Pride In Moray held the gathering on Monday, November 20, with around 15 people turning up on a cold and wet night.
A minute's silence was held to remember trans lives lost, before attendees got to know each other.
David Harrison, chairman of Pride In Moray, was pleased with how the event went.
He said such events are important due to the level of hate being directed towards members of the trans community.
"It was very, very well," he said. "We had a good number of people turnout.
"We had a brief chat about why it's important to hold the vigil, then we held a minute's silence and encouraged people to stay and mingle after.
"It was good to see people talking to each other, with some members sharing some quite personal and interesting stories.
"Both politically and socially, there is a lot of hate towards our transgender friends and there is quite often no support from home.
"This leads to depression and mental health issues, which can lead to self-harm and suicide.
"People just trying to be themselves are being physically assaulted and verbally attacked. That's why these vigils are important.
"It brings the trans community together, remembers people that we have lost due to hate crime and mental health issues and gives the community a bit of safe space – even for a short time – to be themselves in a social area."7
David said that one of the main issues raised at the gathering was a lack of social safe spaces. That's something Pride in Moray are aiming to solve.
If you are interested in getting involved with the group, get in touch via pridemoray@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/pridemoray
