Kara Bindus, junior English major, has been dating her transgender boyfriend for a little over a year. When she met him two years ago, he was a female, but by the time they were dating, he identified as a male.

“I’m not interested in biological men, and I identified as a lesbian after coming to college,” Bindus said. “When I started dating him I could not identify as a lesbian because it clashed with his male identity.”

PRIDE! Kent will observe Saturday’s National Transgender Day of Remembrance today at 8 p.m. in Room 317 of the Student Center.

PRIDE! Kent members are encouraged to come to the meeting dressed as the opposite gender. There will be a runway show of those who are in drag.

The day was created to honor transgender individuals who have been lost to violence and suicide.

Bindus said the day symbolizes awareness.

“We are very aware of gay rights and gay issues, but transgender rights are not as out there,” she said.

During the meeting, the executive board will present “Transgender 101,” which will go over basic terminology. There will also be a Q-and-A about what it is like to be a transgender individual. Following the meeting, PRIDE! Kent will host a short candlelight vigil in the plaza for lost to violence and suicide.

For Bindus, National Transgender Day of Remembrance is about bringing up the topic of rights.

“I think that transgender rights are not as minded,” Bindus said. “They’re not as visible — in the political and cultural sense — as gay rights. Transgender Day of Remembrance is one of the steps to making transgender issues more visible.”

You can contact Lydia Coutré at [email protected].