Trans Day of Remembrance: Honoring Trans Lives Lost in 2016

Portland, OR | November 21, 2016 - A Message From CAP’s Executive Director 

Yesterday, November 20th, we observed Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor those who have lost their lives simply for living their truth.

Despite the great strides we have made in our fight for equality and human rights, this year alone, more than 21 transgender Americans – mostly women of color – were tragically murdered because of their gender identity. These devastating losses highlight just how much work we still have ahead of us. Separately from these threats of physical violence, simply accessing health care, housing, education and employment opportunities can be like navigating a minefield for people of trans experience.

One of the most valuable roles I play as Executive Director of CAP, is hearing from our community. In response to feedback from many past and current staff and community members, earlier this year CAP committed to building organizational capacity for trans-inclusion and trans-affirming practices. In this process, it has been important that we recognize and acknowledge that CAP has not always been historically responsive enough to trans communities. As the leader of this organization, I have a responsibility to understand where we have made missteps along the way, to learn from them and make a commitment to doing better.

After extensive conversations, CAP hired external consultants to bring expertise from outside of the organization. This decision was made as part of understanding that we cannot rely solely on trans staff at CAP to bear the workload of building trans-affirming practices at the organization. Consultants contracted with CAP to improve trans-affirming practices across the organization, both for internal policies and work culture as well as external service work, particularly through the Employment Program, known as Bridges to Work.

A new trans-affirming committee has been formed at CAP and in the coming months will be finalizing and tracking progress on the trans strategic plan that our consultants helped us to draft. They will also develop and monitor organizational benchmarks around trans service outcomes and engagement of trans communities.

CAP is committed to moving forward to make meaningful change for better-serving trans communities.

Sincerely,

Tyler TerMeer
Executive Director