PALM SPRINGS — The Transgender Community Coalition will hold a special “Transgender Day of Remembrance” on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

The observance, held annually on Nov. 20, honors the memories of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

The ceremony will include the display of a “Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial Sculpture,” created by artist Heath Satow. The sculpture was inspired by the 2014 death of Yaz’min Shancez who was burned to death in a Florida alleyway.

Sanchez was not only murdered, afterward her body was set on fire and then thrown in a garbage bin at a Budget Truck Rental.

According to NaplesNews.com, police found Yaz’min’s body in the garbage  and  identified it as Eddie James Owen, who was 31 years old. Family members told police that Owen identified as a woman and went by Yaz’min Shancez.

Shancez started identifying as a woman as early as 2004, according to a police report. At the time Yazmin, who was 20 then, was working as a self-employed hair stylist. Shancez’s father, Harvey Loggins, who continued to refer to Yazmin as his son, though other family members seemed to have completely embraced her transition.

The scorched burn marks from her remains inspired a life-sized sculpture of a person laying in a somber sleeping position covered in butterflies. Butterflies are the spiritual symbol of transgender people

A free Community Resource Fair will be held in the parking lot at Palm Springs City Hall, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A vigil will be held in front of the Council Chamber at 5 p.m. with a special keynote speech from well-known transgender activist, actor, singer and songwriter Ryan Cassata.

For more information, click here.

Image Sources

  • Transgender Day of Remembrance: Shutterstock