Hundreds of people attended the vigil in Gorsedd Gardens in Butetown last night (Thursday, Feb 17) in memory of the 16 year old who was killed in Warrington. The event was organised by the youth group, IMPACT LGBT+ , which is based in Cardiff.
The event lasted for three hours, with many taking the opportunity to speak about their experiences, and their hopes for the trans community in the future.
Transgender and queer people, along with allies, lit candles, made placards and wrote messages on paper leaves which were hung up on a tree. The organiser then invited those attending to speak, with some people in the trans community expressing their anger at both the Welsh and UK Governments accusing them for failing trans people.
But trans vicar Sarah Jones said anger wasn’t the way to go and said “it feeds the narrative that some people have, that trans people are the problem. And yet, you and I know, just how beautiful a community we actually are.”
Another trans speaker at the vigil said, “There have been many centuries of history that try to argue that we do not exist. And yet in every case we have found that we do in every and every time in every time.”
Many people said they hadn’t expected to speak on the night, but had felt inspired and compelled to do so. There was a sense of hope and unity in the crowds with many hoping Brianna’s death is the last in the trans community.
Sixteen year old Brianna Ghey was killed last week. Two fifteen year olds have been arrested and charged with murder.