By Jim Washington
The Virginian-Pilot
NORFOLK
The list was chilling.
People had been stabbed, shot, strangled, disfigured, beaten to death.
De Sube read the names and the details of their deaths in a strong voice, while the audience passed the light of candles around the room.
“These lives were violently taken away because of who they were,” Sube said.
A group of about 50 gathered Tuesday night at the Church of the Ascension to remember transgender people who have died as a result of violence.
Jerome Cuffee spoke about his friend William Gainer, who went by Tracie.
Gainer was killed in 2002 at age 23. A North Carolina man confessed, telling police he had “lost it” after having sex with Gainer then finding out he was a man.
“It’s been tough, I take it day by day,” Cuffee said.
He remembered a friend who liked to go bowling and watch movies, and read a poem Gainer wrote called “She’s Gone.”
Sube and Reg Richburg, pastor of the New Life Metropolitan Community Church in Virginia Beach, led the event.
“The aim is twofold – to remember those who have died and to talk about the positive steps we’ve taken,” Sube said. “We’re here to educate ourselves and the public.”
Sube wanted the transgender community to know about resources such as the church’s outreach program and the non-profit Tidewater AIDS Community Task Force.
The task force provides services such as employment assistance, education and entertainment such as beauty pageants.
Ann Verdine-Lewis, director of education for the task force, addressed the crowd.
“We do all we can to create a safe haven,” she said.
Cuffee said the event was a step toward education and acceptance, but that more needed to be done.
“We’re all just people,” he said.
Jim Washington, (757) 446-2536,
jim.washington@pilotonline.com