A Community's Grief: Remembering Serenity Birdsong and the Call for a Safer Campus
The Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) community was plunged into mourning following the tragic death of Serenity Birdsong, a transgender student, on October 28, 2024. The circumstances of her passing, which occurred within the James E. Walker Library, sent ripples of shock and sorrow across the campus. In the wake of this profound loss, students, faculty, and staff gathered to remember Serenity, to support one another, and to reflect on the urgent need for a more inclusive and supportive environment.
A Vigil of Remembrance and Hope
On October 30, 2024, a crowd of over a thousand gathered for a vigil held in honor of Serenity Birdsong at MTSU. The air was filled with a profound sense of grief, yet also with a palpable desire to connect and to find solace in shared remembrance. As if in a poignant echo of the vigil's purpose, chirping birds swooped above the assembled mourners, their songs a gentle, natural soundtrack to the somber occasion. The vigil served as a vital space to remember Serenity Birdsong's name, to acknowledge her presence, and to begin the process of collective healing.
Outside the James E. Walker Library, a makeshift memorial had taken shape. A watercolor portrait of Serenity Birdsong was placed alongside a growing collection of flowers, bouquets, messages, and flags adorning a bench. Candles glowed on the ground, casting a soft light on the expressions of love and loss. Mourners clustered together, their voices hushed, their embraces tight - a testament to the shared pain and the deep human need for connection in times of sorrow.
MTSU President McPhee addressed the gathering, urging the community to honor Serenity's memory by actively working towards making their university a safer and more welcoming place for everyone. This sentiment was echoed by Khalilah Doss, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, who was introduced by McPhee. Tynaz Thompson, who worked with Birdsong in the MTSU Campus Housing department, shared a heartfelt tribute, stating, "Her kindness built connections and her laughter filled spaces that now feel so quiet without her."
Elizabeth Cannan-Knight, President of MT Lambda, further elaborated on the sense of familiarity and belonging that Birdsong fostered. She shared personal memories, emphasizing Serenity's genuine desire to be a part of any community she encountered. "She really did enjoy being a part of whatever space she fit into," Cannan-Knight remarked. "And she fit into every space that she found because of that genuine care and love towards others."
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As the formal program neared its close, Mosby, a student leader, asked the attendees to illuminate the space by turning on their phone flashlights and raising them high. This act transformed the vigil into a powerful symbol. "This is not just a symbol of remembrance, but this is a beacon of hope," Mosby declared. "Let these lights remind us that even in our darkest times, we can find each other and lift each other up." The program concluded with Mosby leading the crowd in a heartfelt rendition of "Lean on Me," a song that resonated deeply with the shared experience of loss and the importance of mutual support.
Coping and Community Support
Even after the formal program concluded, much of the crowd lingered, finding comfort in shared stories and quiet companionship. Sodas and pizza were shared as individuals continued to connect, offering each other comfort and understanding. Recognizing the profound impact of Serenity's death on the student body, a coping workshop was led by Anderson. This session aimed to help mourning students understand the physical and emotional symptoms of loss and to prepare them for the feelings they might experience in the weeks to come.
Some individuals shared their personal coping mechanisms, highlighting the diverse ways people navigate grief. These included creative outlets like watercolor painting and the solace found in video games. The profound impact of not feeling welcome or accepted was also voiced by a student who shared, "So many of us, we go home, and we play a part, and we just pretend to be someone we’re not. And then some of us just don’t have a home to go home to anymore because we’re not welcome."
Allie Sultan, a current College of Media and Entertainment assistant professor and an MTSU alumna from the ‘90s, underscored the importance of community support, particularly for marginalized groups. "We knew we, as a campus queer community, needed a space to support each other in moments like this," Sultan stated, recognizing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Shadow of Transgender Day of Remembrance
Serenity Birdsong's passing cast a long and somber shadow over the upcoming Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR), observed annually on November 20th. This day is dedicated to commemorating transgender and gender non-conforming individuals who have been killed for living as their authentic selves, as well as those who have died by suicide. For the MTSU community, and particularly for those who knew Serenity, this year's TDoR would carry an even heavier weight.
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Typically, MTSU's Intercultural and Diversity Affairs department hosts an event for TDoR, filling the courtyard with paper bags, each representing a victim with their name, country of origin, and year of death. This year, Serenity's name would be among them, a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles and the devastating consequences of transphobia and societal pressures.
Natonya Listach, who attended the vigil for Birdsong and was a professor in Serenity's class, shared her profound grief. Listach had only encountered Serenity in the current semester but was struck by her dedication and intellectual curiosity. "Every day, she showed up either on time or early, and they would immediately launch into the discussion for that day’s class," Listach recalled. Serenity was particularly interested in queer theory, a subject she inquired about almost weekly.
Listach described the day of Serenity's death as one of numbness: "You know, that day, I was just numb. There, there was - there was nothing. There was absolutely nothing." The following Wednesday, Listach held her class, offering students the opportunity to speak with counselors. However, only one student attended. Returning to class the subsequent Monday, the atmosphere was heavy with shared sorrow. "You know, everybody was hurting, everybody was struggling," Listach recounted. "And, just to know that we were walking in there, and she’s not going to be in her seat." The weight of Serenity's absence was so profound that Listach ended her class four weeks early. For Listach, Trans Day of Remembrance this year would be "the roughest one for me to celebrate," deeply impacted by Serenity's personality and her passion for learning.
The College of Media and Entertainment also acknowledged Trans Awareness Week by creating a board with positive messages about trans rights, a gesture of solidarity and support within the Murfreesboro community.
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