The Transgender Day of Remembrance happened last Friday. This year, like every year, I have trouble writing about it. It's very painful.

One of the people who shaped my view of the world was Connie Norman. She was an AIDS activist and a queer activist. She was a force of nature. She could create a storm of activity with her bold and moving voice, coupled with her incredible intellect. She was a nurturer of activists. In fact, many people at actions called her Momma Connie which brought a knowing smile to her eyes. She even had her own radio show.

She died of AIDS years ago.

TDOR is about remembering transgender people who were killed by bigoted violence. I strongly maintain that our country's AIDS policies were and, to a large extent, a particularly effect form of violence that have killed hundreds of thousands of people in America. Connie Norman was one of those people, and I still miss her.

I know it is important to remember her and keep writing about her. It's just very difficult.