LGBT+ Club’s Day of Remembrance

Charles Stish, staff writer

Oct. 29, 2016, Savannah Karten, a former PVCC student from Glen Allen, VA, who was said to be an intelligent and beautiful young woman, was found dead in her car in a parking lot in Boone, North Carolina. Karten suffered a fatal gunshot wound, and it is determined that she killed herself, according to local police.

Living a life of adventure, Karten was in NOVA Swimming (a competitive swim circuit in Richmond, VA) from 2003-2010 and a member of River City Crew. At the time of her death, Karten was 21 years old and a sophomore at Appalachian State University. She was also a lesbian and an active member of the LGBT+ club during her time at PVCC.

In celebration of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, the LGBT+ club held a memorial from 11:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 21 in honor of Karten and other sexually diverse people who took their own lives.

“It was a surprise to me; other people who knew her better said that she had been struggling for a long time, but whenever I saw her she was always smiling. It was a pretty cool smile,” said Annelise Stunes, president of LGBT+ club.

Stunes and other club members honored the lives of Karten and others by presenting facts and issues facing the LGBT community shown on carboard displays. Issues reported included how 41 percent of transgender people attempt suicide and how 78 percent of transgender students have suffered harassment or assault because of their sexuality.

With this presentation of facts, a cardboard panel with pictures and stories of several transgender people who took their lives last year was shown. By reading the small biographies of each person, one can determine all victims felt society rejected them; leading them to commit suicide.

LGBT+ club member Samuel Pierce said, “I think it is really sad that they have been pushed to that point. I believe that everyone has the right to exist the way they want to.”

Marina Mccord, vice president of LGBT+ club, said, “I think for the most part that there is a lot of ignorance in the world, and we have made a lot of steps forward, but we still have a lot more to make.”

Throughout the service, LGBT+ Club members and supporters created origami cranes. They did this to reach the goal of 1000 cranes, as according to Japanese legend those who create 1000 origami cranes will be granted a wish from the Gods. After the creation of these 1000 cranes, they will hang the cranes on a memorial tree and collectively wish for Karten to be at peace in the afterlife.

In accordance to LGBT+ club’s agenda of creating a supportive and tolerant environment for all sexually diverse people, they handed out small paper pamphlets with various hotline numbers for suicide prevention, bullying, rape and sexual assault, depression, and abuse.

Participants and those who just walked by were offered a safety pin with which they can choose to create a makeshift necklace out of by using yarn and beads that were the colors of LGBT community.

Stunes said, “It’s hard to know that things are getting better… I feel with the current political state people are more likely to express more hatefully and violently toward certain people. In the last few years, our community has made a lot of progress compared to 15 to 20 years ago, but it is hard to see where it’s going. It’s hard to know if we will keep progressing to a more progressive society or regress to state of fear that we have been hiding in for so long.”

If you would like to learn more about LGBT+ club and their goals you  can contact them via email. Annelise Stunes: as2027@email.vccs.edu

Marina Mccord:  marina.mccord@gmail.com