Bristol Hospital next week will host an event to remember transgender individuals who have been murdered in the last year as a result of phobias.
“This is the first time we’ve done it,” said Michael Miarecki, of the Bristol Hospital Counseling Center. The event is being presented by the newly formed LBGTQ Resource Group.
The remembrance event will take place in the Hughes Auditorium, at Bristol Hospital, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday - in conjunction with the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is observed annually on Nov. 20.
“Bristol Hospital is really doing a great job being an all-inclusive hospital,” said Miarecki.
Miarecki said the names of transgender individuals who have been murdered over the past year, because of stigmas and phobias, will be read aloud at the event, and there will be a moment of silence. Through his research, he said, he was able to find about 24 people who were killed because they were transgender.
“It’s open to all members of the community,” Miarecki said, adding that the event will include some enlightening information about the transgender community that he hopes will eliminate some of the stigmas that still exist.
“It’s a massive issue,” Miarecki said of the phobias against the transgender community, adding that some transgender people are “afraid” and “nervous” because they can sometimes fall victim to retaliation from their family, employers or others.
Miarecki also said the Bristol Hospital Counseling Center offers a paid therapy group once a week designed specifically for members of the LBGTQ community. Those interested should call 860-583-5858 and ask to schedule an intake.
Although the therapy group is a paid service, Miarecki said Tuesday’s event is free. He said anyone wishing to attend should get to the hospital, at 41 Brewster Road, early, as a recent security measure calls for all guests of the facility to check in and acquire a visitor’s badge.