Speaker Renee Elaine Manning has lived in the Boston area her entire life. While beginning her 35th year in technical work, she is currently in her final year in the Masters of Divinity Program at Andover Newton Theological Seminary and is a Member in Discernment for the UCC ordination process. She brings to the table a diverse religious heritage; Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Baptist and Congregationalist-United Church of Christ. In her free time she enjoys astronomy, model rocketry, re-enacting 8 historical characters in the local school systems and model building. Though she transitioned at the age of 50, she knew she was transgender at the age of four. She now serves as a facilitator for Merrimack Valley PFLAG, and as a Transgender and GLBIQ advocate and teaches “Trans 101” in churches, police stations and venues throughout Massachusetts.

International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) happens every November around the world. TDOR was first organized in 1999 by transgender woman and activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith to mark the murder of Rita Hester the previous year in Allston, Massachusetts. It has been held annually ever since to raise awareness about the continued violence that is directed at the transgender community. While the official date is November 20, observances are often scheduled on various dates so nearby events do not conflict with each other.