Marjorie Harwood’s Risdon memorial defiled with “hate-motivated” transphobic slur

Marjorie Harwood’s memorial was vandalised with a “hate-motivated” acronym. Now her defiant mother has a message for the culprits.

Rosemary Harwood (the mother of Marjorie Harwood, a trans woman who was raped at Risdon Prison and died soon after her release) and Martine Delaney outside Risdon Prison at the vandalised memorial. Picture: Chris Kidd

Rosemary Harwood thought nothing could hurt her more than the death of her daughter — but after discovering her memorial was defiled with a transphobic slur, she was rendered speechless.

Her transgender daughter Marjorie Harwood was allegedly gang raped while incarcerated at male populated Risdon prison.

After she died by an unrelated cause in July 2018, a memorial to Marjorie was created outside the prison.

Memorial to Marjorie Harwood that was vandalised. Picture: Chris Kidd

But over the weekend, Ms Harwood found the memorial vandalised in thick red paint with transphobic acronym YWNBAW written on it. The slur means “You Will Never Be A Woman”.

“I want whoever did this to know that if they do it again we will keep cleaning it off. They will not defeat us. We will keep Marjorie’s memory alive no matter what,” Ms Harwood said.

“Nobody can intimidate me.

Rosemary Harwood outside Risdon Prison at the vandalised memorial. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Why have you got so much hate against transgender people?”

Transgender activist Martine Delaney who has known the Harwood family for almost 40 years believes this isn’t a random case of vandalism.

“Transgender and gender diverse people seem to be the easiest target for those who are opposed to a progressive society,” she said.

“(Marjorie was) a young transgender woman who died after giving up on life following a vicious rape that took place in Risdon Prison.

“We built a memorial to make sure that people didn’t forget Marjorie and the fact that Marjorie’s life came to an end basically because of antiquated Tasmanian birth certificate legislation.”

Rosemary Harwood (the mother of Marjorie Harwood, a trans woman who was raped at Risdon Prison and died soon after her release) and Martine Delaney outside Risdon Prison at the vandalised memorial. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ms Delaney said the perpetrator left behind a screwdriver used to get the paint lid off.

“We have reported this matter to the police,” she said.

“The acronym isn’t just a choice of words, it’s really a go out at trans people from within the anti-trans movement.”

Equality Tasmania president Rodney Croome said the “hate-motivated” vandalism desecrated the memory of Marjorie.

There is still no peace for mother Rosemary, the mother of Marjorie Harwood (pictured before her death). Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“It’s vile and despicable that a memorial to someone who died because of anti-trans hate has now been vandalised with more anti-trans hate,” he said.

“It also shows just how deep the disease of anti-transgender hate runs in parts of Tasmanian society.

“This act of hate is a call to action for all Tasmanians of goodwill, especially our civic, political and religious leaders, to loudly and consistently condemn anti-trans hate and defend the rights and dignity of transgender people.”