Rabbi Eleanor Steinman

From California Faith for Equality‘s blog and written by yours truly:

Today, Tuesday, November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance.

California Faith for Equality remembers and honors the countless people who are transgender who have died.

Prayer for Transgender Day of Remembrance by Rabbi Reuben Zellman
God full of mercy, bless the souls of all who are in our hearts on this Transgender Day of Remembrance. We call to mind today young and old, of every race, faith, and gender experience, who have died by violence. We remember those who have died because they would not hide, or did not pass, or did pass, or stood too proud. Today we name them: the reluctant activist; the fiery hurler of heels; the warrior for quiet truth; the one whom no one really knew.

As many as we can name, there are thousands more whom we cannot, and for whom no Kaddish [Jewish memorial prayer] may have been said. We mourn their senseless deaths, and give thanks for their lives, for their teaching, and for the brief glow of each holy flame. We pray for the strength to carry on their legacy of vision, bravery, and love.

And as we remember them, we remember with them the thousands more who have taken their own lives. We pray for resolve to root out the injustice, ignorance, and cruelty that grow despair. And we pray, God, that all those who perpetrate hate and violence will speedily come to understand that Your creation has many faces, many genders, many holy expressions.

Blessed are they, who have allowed their divine image to shine in the world.

Blessed is God, in Whom no light is extinguished.

Found on the KESHET website

May the memory of the transgender people whose names we know and whose names be a blessing.