Vol. 128, No. 68 Tuesday, November 27, 2018
OPINION
SPORTS
ARTS & CULTURE
Mental illnesses are as serious as physical illnesses
Grading the Rams’ lost season
Students lead zero waste movement
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page 10
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A Fort Collins resident holds candles during the Pride Resource Center’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil on Nov. 15. Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell recently declared Nov. 20 Transgender Day of Remembrance to Fort Collins’s LGBTQ committee. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY COLIN SHEPHERD COLLEGIAN
Mayor proclaims November as Transgender Awareness Month By Samantha Ye @samxye4
In a historic first, the City of Fort Collins has proclaimed November as Transgender Awareness Month. As federal protections for the transgender community vanish, however, community members and supporters want to see the City’s inclusivity extend beyond
statements. Mayor Wade Troxell delivered the proclamation Nov. 20, which officially recognized November as Transgender Awareness Month and memorialized that day as the Transgender Day of Remembrance. TDoR is observed annually in honor of the lives of trans individuals who were killed for their identity. At Colora-
do State University, students and the Pride Resource Center honored the event Nov. 15 with speakers and a candlelight vigil. “(This) month is an opportunity to inspire, educate, and inform our community of the contributions of and challenges faced by the transgender and non-binary community,” Troxell read from the proclamation. Rachel Esters, a transgender
woman and a retired lieutenant from the Larimer Sheriff’s Office, accepted the mayor’s proclamation. Esters now works in criminal justice consulting with a focus on diversity, cultural and gender issues. “As individuals, we may feel helpless to address the resurgence of bigotry and hate in our communities,” Esters said in her acceptance speech.
“But, if we’re willing to speak up and publicly state that hate and intolerance will not find a place in our government, our community, our schools or our homes, what seems like a small step will help to create an atmosphere which will include understanding and acceptance.” Esters recalled her father’s advice that “rather than curse see MAYOR on page 4 >>
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