Celebrating pride, accepting different perspectives, and establishing a open dialogue were the key points De Anza College’s Rainbow Club emphasized during an organized gathering in honor of Transgender Remembrance day, held Nov. 20 at the Campus Center in conference room B.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an internationally recognized date to honor the lives of those who died as a result of transphobia.

“We don’t want to linger on those who’ve passed, we want to honor them through pride in our own identities” stated co-vice president Tara Swan.

The event featured panels, films, and group activities to teach students about the importance of being an ally to anyone who considers themselves transgender.

“The turn-out was great,” said Rainbow Club’s co-vice president Nate Mendoza. “This is the first year we’ve done this on campus and we are blown away by the turn-out”.

Workshops featured at the event detailed how to support someone’s transitions by asking questions to help establish what pronoun individuals want to be referred to by, and help make an open dialogue easier to establish.

Claire Wilhelm-Safian, 18, English major, said she attended the workshops because she believed attending would provide more support for the cause.

Swan said she believes the biggest threat to the transgender community is ignorance, which was why educating others was such a large part of the event.

Swan said celebrating pride in individual identity makes people feel empowered, and by coming together, it creates a safe environment for people to exercise their identity without judgment.

Mendoza believes the numbers will increase for gatherings like Transgender day of Remembrance, and they plan to host bigger events at the start of the Winter quarter.

The Rainbow club meets on Thursdays in the MCC building from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m through the rest of the school year. Anyone who wants to provide or receive support should attend.