Holding a Vigil for Brianna Ghey

 by Alice Clarke and Jiali Hicks

Image from the Portsmouth Cathedral vigil
(image source: Portsmouth Daily News)

On Thursday 16th February, a vigil was held for Brianna Ghey. The Portsmouth Cathedral was filled with hundreds of people from all walks of life, gathering to remember the 16-year-old girl who was murdered in a public park on Saturday afternoon.

People were invited to light candles and lay flowers. The vigil began with a prayer, and people were invited to speak.

“It’s wonderful we’ve been given this space for our voices to be heard,” said the first speaker. She talked about Brianna as an inspiration for trans youth, with her following on TikTok showing how far the impact of one’s life can extend, and how much she would have been an inspiration for many young people struggling for the right to live as who they are.

Several moving poems were recited, including ‘The life that I have’ by Leo Marks, ‘Stop the Clocks’ by W.H Auden and an original piece by someone who attended.

Many of those present didn’t know Brianna, but her death had an impact far beyond personal connection. “You might not have known her, but it’s personal, isn’t it?” said Cllr Chris Attwell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Central Services. 

In reference to the teenagers charged with the crime, a speaker emphasised that “they were led there, and we need to find out how they got there.”

“People act on hate,” he continued, “but as a society, we are not responsible - we do not create the hate - but we are responsible for ensuring this doesn’t happen again.” He went on to say that politicians dehumanising trans people and using the trans “debate” as a divisive political tool has fuelled a rise of hatred and misunderstanding. This violent behaviour is an inevitable consequence. In the words of the next speaker, “This is not the first time someone has died because of their identity, but it has to be the last.”

He finished by saying, “I don’t want to light candles, and pray and wait for next time.”

By this point, the candelabra at the front of the cathedral had over-flowed; the Canon laid out tinfoil to provide extra space and the light continued to grow as the night went on.

The final speaker concluded, “For all trans people in this city, you are not alone - we are a family.”