UNCW hosted Sylvia Guerrero, mother of slain transgender teenager Gwen Araujo, as part of its first annual UNCW Pride Week in Lumina Theater of Fisher Center Sunday, Oct. 12.

“I made a promise to Gwen at her funeral,” said Guerrero. “I promised that I would keep spreading the word about her death until people stop being killed for who they are.”

In 2002, Araujo was murdered and buried by four males when it was discovered that she was biologically male. Araujo’s death brought a lot of controversy throughout the country and a Lifetime movie has been made about her life.

Since her daughter’s death, Guerrero has become a transgender activist. She travels the country, speaking out about the inequality of transgender sexual orientation and reaching out to families who have experienced similar pain.

“When Gwen was killed, I made a promise to be her voice until justice was served,” Guerrero said.

She explained the horror of seeing pictures of a loved one murdered and the fear that at her open casket funeral she would be further disrespected by the cruelty of society.

“This was a senseless, senseless death and it should have never happened,” Guerrero said. “Everyone is different and it’s time for this world to accept and respect one another.”

She also explained the misconceptions of being transgender and what changes need to be made in society. Sylvia’s purpose was to promote awareness of what happened to her child and to defend Gwen’s honor.

Guerrero intends to reach out to “one person at a time until the world gets it. It’s about everybody. It’s about your world and you need to take it back.”

Guerrero openly took questions from the audience about both Gwen’s life before her tragic death and the events following.

“I am extremely honored God chose me as Gwen’s mom,” Guerrero said. “I have so much hope, because since my daughter’s death there has been change.”

Guerrero’s speech was preceded by the documentary, “Transgeneration”, which followed four transgender college students trying to make it through everyday life. The Dateline NBC feature about Gwen Araujo’s death was also shown.

“Imagine being a teen and taking a journey of a transgender,” Multi-Cultural Center Coordinator, Kimberly McLaughin-Smith. “We see diversity as black and white, but it’s broader than that.”

McLaughlin, who is also a dedicated activist, works within the Multi-Cultural Center to “expose students to every aspect and walk of life.”

Guerrero was followed by a team of individuals in Wilmington’s transgender and transgender support panel. They answered questions from the audience on topics ranging from the emotional impacts that being transgender has had on their lives to the politics of being transgender.

When asked what people who struggle with the same lifestyle that Araujo did should do, Guerrero didn’t hesitate to confidently respond, “I think you need to get busy and get a support group on campus. Get educated. No excuses.”

The audience was very receptive of Guerrero. “I absolutely loved Sylvia Guerrero. Her story is very moving,” sophomore Caitlin Breither said. “She is a very religious woman and she is fabulous for being so accepting of her daughter’s transition from a male to a female. Her acceptance of her daughter is rare in today’s society.”

“It was very informative for the non-transgender community,” junior Erica Tucker said. “I’m happy that UNCW took the time to educate the UNCW and Wilmington community.”

The purpose of the week’s activities was to promote not only tolerance, but acceptance and respect, and gain a new appreciation for diversity.

Over the course of the week, events were held each day that covered the lifestyles of stereotyped sexual orientations. Some other activities included discussions on homophobia, a showing of the movie “A Girl like Me” and a reception for National Coming Out Day.

“It is paramount that we expose our students to each and every walk of life we can,” McLaughlin-Smith said. “It’s vital in order to broaden the scope in which we see mankind.”