Audio from the service at St Andrew's on the Terrace, Wellington to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance. The service took place on Sunday 24 November, with the Day of Remembrance on the 20th November. A stereo recording of The Glamaphones performance can be heard here. A special thank you to St Andrew's for allowing this event to be recorded and shared. This recording has been edited, with some parts of the service not included.
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The recording titled Transgender Day of Remembrance 2024 documents a commemorative church service held at St Andrew's on the Terrace in Wellington, New Zealand, on November 24, 2024. The event aimed to honor and remember transgender individuals who have faced discrimination, violence, and loss of life due to anti-transgender bias, while also celebrating resilience and diversity within the community. The service included speeches, prayers, songs, and reflections led by several prominent figures, including Dr Rev Fei Taule'ale'ausumai, Afioga Dr Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann, members of the congregation and local choir, The Glamaphones.
The service began with a heartfelt welcome and prayers, emphasizing inclusivity and a call to understand and embrace diversity. The congregation was reminded of the sacredness of human difference and the responsibility to combat hate with love and justice. Special attention was given to the historical and ongoing struggles of transgender individuals, framed in the broader context of human rights and dignity.
Afioga Dr Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann, a distinguished Samoan community leader and fa’afafine, shared personal experiences and insights. He spoke about his identity and its cultural significance in Samoa and the Pacific. He highlighted the intersections of faith, health, and identity, underlining the importance of community and familial support for well-being. His advocacy for mental health, particularly for marginalized groups, resonated deeply. Pulotu-Endemann also reflected on his role in combating stigma during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and his work with the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care, drawing connections between systemic injustice and the need for community-driven solutions.
The service also explored the historical origins of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, initiated in 1999 in memory of Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, two Black transgender women murdered in the USA. Their deaths, among many others, catalyzed the establishment of this day to highlight the violence faced by transgender individuals and to push for justice and systemic change. The service acknowledged that such tragedies are not confined to one region but have global parallels, including within New Zealand.
The Glamaphones performed the beautiful I Remember, adding depth to the reflective atmosphere. Traditional Pacific greetings and prayers were shared, connecting the ceremony to broader cultural and spiritual traditions. The lighting of the rainbow candle symbolized the commitment to inclusivity and the unity of diverse communities under shared principles of compassion and equity.
The speakers did not shy away from addressing contemporary challenges, such as the rise of transphobia globally, including restrictive policies in various countries. Emphasis was placed on the need for grassroots advocacy and community action to counter regressive trends. Pulotu-Endemann poignantly described the role of religious and secular institutions in fostering a sense of belonging, arguing for an inversion of traditional top-down governance models to prioritize community-driven efforts.
The service also included a candle-lighting ceremony, where the names of transgender individuals lost in the past year were displayed on video screens, creating a solemn space for personal reflection and communal mourning. Prayers for peace, justice, and healing were offered, urging participants to commit to a future where all people can live with dignity and safety.
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