Honoured to speak at the beautiful St Michael Within today as we remembered the trans lives lost to violence this year. At least 350 deaths reported globally—though we know the true number is far higher. It was heartbreaking to learn that the youngest trans person to lose their life in the UK this year was just 13. May their memory be eternal.
In the Orthodox Church, the Christian tradition I belong to, on Easter we sing: "Christ has risen from the dead trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life." I pray to Christ: As you bring life and your love upon the tombs, bring it to us here as we remember our trans siblings we have lost. Bring that life and love to every trans person where it is needed. Christ, bring your love to every queer craft club, every poetry night, and every gay bar. Sit with us in every drag queen dressing room, every gender clinic, and every counselor's office. Walk with every trans woman making her way home at night and hold the hand of every trans man laying awake and lonely at 3:00 AM. God, give your protection to every sex worker and to every non-binary person exhausted from explaining who they are to those who refuse to listen. Jesus, bring your love to every trans person living in fear of racist discrimination or deportation and to all who walk under the shadow of occupying forces in the lands you once called home. For as you harrowed hell and went among the tombs, there is no place we cannot find your love. And that in the end, no death, no hate, and no transphobia will ever defeat us. Amen.