This commentary is by Scott Rhodewalt, Saloma Furlong and Linda Schneck of the Northeast Kingdom Quaker Meeting in Barton.
As members of the Religious Society of Friends, we grieve the tragic death of Fern Feather, a beloved transgender woman whose life was taken in April 2022. Fern was known for her kindness, joy and strong connection to nature.
We are also deeply troubled by the outcome of the trial of Seth Brunell, which failed to deliver justice for Fern. This injustice was not merely an isolated incident. It is part of a broader, deeply rooted pattern of violence and neglect that transgender people face across the United States.
Our Quaker faith teaches that there is that of God in everyone. This belief calls us to affirm the dignity, worth and spiritual gifts of all people. Our community is enriched by the presence of transgender and gender diverse individuals.
Transgender people deserve not only affirmation, but also protection. To honor Fern is to reject the negligence and prejudice that enable transphobia to thrive in courtrooms, police departments, and legislatures. It is to recognize that the criminal legal system is not only broken, but structurally incapable of serving the communities most impacted by violence.
Vermont has taken crucial steps toward creating a safe and inclusive environment for transgender people. However, we still must hold our public institutions accountable. When our system fails to uphold justice for Fern, it has failed all of us. We must allow ourselves to grieve, but it is equally important to transform that grief into courage, solidarity and love toward the transgender community.
We recognize that honoring each person’s self-identified gender is a spiritual practice rooted in love and truth. As Friends, we are called to speak out against injustice and to work toward a world where all people can live free from fear and violence.
Fern’s life reminds us of the beauty and resilience of transgender people. Her death reminds us of the urgent need for cultural and political change across our society. We hold her memory in the Light, and we recommit ourselves to the work of creating a safer and more loving world.
