We've never met, but I wanted you to be happy. I wanted you to feel loved. I wanted you to feel safe being yourself. I wish the world could have been a better place for you and I will keep fighting to make it that way - in your memory.

(A piece for the Transgender Day of Remembrance)

I was reading the newspaper at work one day - not usually a good idea for me to begin with - and happened upon an article about the murdered body of a local transgender woman whom had been found in a creek. I don't recall all the details, but it hit me really hard - an overwhelming surge of empathy for all the other trans people who have been abused, oppressed or outright murdered out of bigotry and hate. It hit me really hard and I started crying, and felt the need to get my feelings out on paper..