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The University of Wisconsin's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Campus Center held a candlelight vigil Thursday night to remember those who
have died from anti-transgender violence.

The LGBTCC hosted Transgender Awareness Week from Nov. 11 to
Nov. 17, consisting of various lectures, discussions and performances to raise
awareness about transgender issues and help others become more accepting of
their sexuality.

"We've had the vigil for about 12 years, and we really see
it bringing the campus together with the community people," said Joe
Erbentraut, LGBT events coordinator. "That's kind of a rare thing in Madison."

LGBTCC members also posted tombstones along Bascom Hill with
the names of individuals killed by anti-transgender violence. Each stone
displayed a victim's cause of death and year he or she was murdered.

"I think the general public views [transgendered people] as
a subordinate class, like they don't deserve the same rights as other people,"
said Maren Greathouse, LGBT student service specialist. "It's like they think
that they have a gender problem, and because of that they can't function with
the social norm."

UW's LGBT community is always expanding, Erbentraut said,
though there will always be those who are homophobic. For example, Wisconsin
does not have laws to protect transgendered people in the work force, he said.

"Honestly, it's hard for such a conservative group to accept
an issue that seems so foreign to them," Erbentraut said. "Like, last year they
banned gay marriage, and that's so depressing. It's like we don't have an
identity."

LGBT education outreach specialist Chris Bjorkman said
transgender discrimination relates to racism and a lack of knowledge about
sexuality issues.

"A lot of people on campus live in this happy bubble and
don't think about it very much," Bjorkman said. "It's like thinking that racism
is gone when it really isn't. It is all connected. Homophobia is alive and
still with us."

According to Greathouse, being transgender is a frustrating
experience to some. Not only is their gender a dilemma, but also the way
society is supposed to view them.

LGBTCC met with University Housing in a panel discussion earlier
this week to begin solving issues transgender individuals may experience in
dorm life. It can be as easy as forming nongender bathrooms, or as simple as
asking which gender an individual prefers to be called, Erbentraut said.

"I would say [to non-transgendered people] to close their
eyes and imagine waking up in the morning, and after taking a shower, looking
at themselves in the mirror and thinking, 'Man, this body is not mine,'"
Erbentraut said. "Then imagine having to hide that and living every day with a
name you don't relate to."

UW's Campus Women's Center hosted a discussion after the
vigil and discussed what approach they can take to Transgender Awareness Week
in the upcoming year. Some ideas included a T-shirt campaign and a gender
workshop, where students can explore their gender in a safe environment.

"Madison is more accepting than most places, but you can
still tell we have a long way to go," Erbentraut said. "Just remember it's a
privilege that we don't have to defend our gender every day."