7/9/08

Episcopal Priest Beaten While Protecting Homeless Transgender Youth revisited



Queens Residents Speak Out Against Violence On Transgender Youth
NYC Transgender Shelter Says Director Attacked
Father Braxton in a telephone interview shortly after this incident, told me that his site was unable to accept donations because of a technical problem. I promised Reverend Braxton I would return and try to help. Here we are.
Please make a Donation to Carmens Place

NEW YORK (AP) -- A priest who runs a shelter specializing in outreach to homeless transgender youths was beaten with construction equipment and paint cans by a group of teenagers in a possible hate crime, authorities said Tuesday.

Two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old were awaiting arraignment Tuesday on charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon, Queens prosecutors said. A 15-year-old was being charged as a juvenile in the Monday attack outside the Carmen's Place shelter, prosecutors said.

The four boys gathered in front of Carmen's Place around 10 p.m. and started harassing and taunting the residents with homophobic slurs and insults, people at the shelter said. The director, the Rev. Louis Braxton Jr., tried to intervene but was attacked with paint cans, a woodworking tool and other objects found along the street, they said.

Braxton, 52, was treated at a hospital for cuts and bruises. A shelter resident also was injured in the attack, which occurred on one of the main thoroughfares in the Astoria neighborhood.

Braxton spoke about the attack on Tuesday.

``Unfortunately, violent attacks against transgender youth is not unusual,'' he said. ``What made this incident so disturbing is that it occurred on a congested and busy New York City street.''

The incident was being investigated by the police Hate Crimes Task Force, and charges could be upgraded if it's found a hate crime took place.

Carmen's Place first was established by a missionary named Carmen Solis in the basement of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, where Braxton was pastor. The shelter provides beds and food for youths who have been kicked out of their homes or turned to prostitution.

When the parish closed in 2007 because of financial trouble, Braxton rented a nearby two-bedroom apartment for the shelter, which currently houses about a dozen transgender youths.

The nonprofit runs on a shoestring budget and relies on donations.

Shelter spokesman Reggie Johnson said residents there often are harassed and the attack on Braxton is the latest in a string. He said the shelter is working with community leaders and the local police precinct to help make the area safer for residents.

From Kelli~ I am contiuing to add articles as I find them to the original post to keep a thread intact~


July 08, 2008
NY1 News

Four teenaged boys were arrested for attacking the director and several residents of a transgender center in Astoria Tuesday. NY1’s Ruschell Boone filed the following report.

Father Louis Braxton, Jr., who leads the transgender center "Carmen's Place" in Astoria, Queens, says he was trying to defend a group of transgender teens who were being assaulted Monday night when four teenaged boys attacked him with belts and paint cans.

“I was standing right here looking that way and they kind hit me from behind,” said Braxton, who says the incident happened in front of the shelter where he and the transgender teens live. “I have a couple of knots on my head right now and a fat lip.”

Braxton said the boys struck him after yelling anti-gay slurs at the transgender teens, who were horsing around outside the shelter.

Carmen's Place has been a safe haven for transgender and gay youth for about three years.

“When they said what they said, I was shocked,” said victim Alessandra Carver. “I was like, ‘You feel good about what you're saying?’ and then that's when he was like, ‘Why you talking?’ So he went there and took a trash can and hit me with the thing upside with one of them.”

Police say four teenagers were arrested for their role in the attack -- 17-year-old Tyreek Childs, 16-year-old Travaughn Payne, 17-year-old Shara Mozie and a minor whose name has not been released.

The teens have been charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Police say they are still trying to determine whether or not they will be charged with a hate crime.

In the meantime, Braxton and the transgender teens say the attack left them feeling unsafe at their shelter, and they are now looking for a new location.

- Ruschell Boone
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/index.jsp

Queens Residents Speak Out Against Violence On Transgender Youth

July 10,2008
NY1
Unknown Author



Some angry community members spoke out against violence in Astoria Thursday in response to an assault on a neighborhood priest and transgender youth earlier this week.

Father Louis Braxton, Jr. was attacked by four teenagers Monday night outside Carmen's Place, a homeless shelter for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

Police say the boys were assaulting a transgender teen in front of the Steinway Street shelter when Braxton stepped in to help.

"Unfortunately, violent attacks against transgender youth are not unusual,” said Braxton. “The thing that really upsets me is this happened here in such a nice neighborhood and such a nice community.”

“Transgender youth must walk down the street with their eyes over their shoulder because they never know what's gonna come their way,” said Daniel Dromm, co-founder of Generation Q Youth Services Program. “This type of violence is deplorable."

The attackers were arraigned Tuesday on weapons and harassment charges and are due back in court on August 13.

Nyl.com

Kelli Busey
planetransgender

Bishop V. Gene Robinson's Passionate Appeal for Advocacy



This appeal for justice to commit to what we know is right and to willingly accept the consequences of standing up to powerful forces of evil was the inspiration I needed when I decided to include my faith in gender advocacy.

7/6/08

Somewhere over the Rainbow


In our world of LGBT rainbows we are blessed with a wonderful variety of colors, like Skittles showering our lives.
I was at a baseball game with my youth group enjoying one of these beautiful crazy happy, sad moments. "How are you?" I asked as the young man sat down beside me. I had noticed him before in passing he was a quite somewhat reserved youth. I always saw him in the company some of our most energetic and popular members so I assumed he was just, you know, O.K.
"Fine" he replied as one of the full time staffers, Judith, introduced us I looked at this person and wondered aloud "who are you?"
"Jesus" he said, "My name is Jesus". I smiled my curiosity piqued "That's my favorite name" I announced.
Jesus, as it turns out is a lanky suntanned young man. His long black hair curling gracefully down his back. He looked thoughtfully at me for a momment and offered,
"I live near here, not far at all". We sat in silence in la sol hermosa del sudoeste watching our team at bat. "Are you in school?" I inquired "Yes" he said proudly and added, "We have so great a diversity, we call it the Skittles Factory".
"I love that concept" I remarked and then asked "So Jesus what are you doing this summer?". He started to reply but Judith proudly piped in "Jesus is going to fly for the first time to attend an Advocacy training program, he was selected out of a list of 500 hundred aplicants to attend." I had been previously eves dropping and now I understand the reason for the laundry list Judith and Jesus had been working on. "Oh that's wonderful." I replied. "I beleave our greatest reward is to have our youth return to us, as they become adults to be the next generation of advocates."

Judith said, "I would love to find someone to write about Jesus." Beaming at the chance to write "I will Judith." I said "Since becoming a volunteer here I have wanted to find a way to contribute."
Jesus looked wistfully and lamented, "I have lived here since I was one year old but but my family has not received any citizenship papers yet."
So here we are. I am sitting next to Jesus, a caring and generous defender of the vulnerable, striving against all odds to become a highly skilled advocate and return to his community. Only one small glitch. If Jesus were to publicly announce himself, he would jeopardise not only his, but also his entire families safety and security in the only country he has ever known and loved. Kind of like a Superman predicament or maybe a Jesus you and I think about a lot.
I could not help but admire Jesus and began to wonder what can I do. And then it occurred to me. We are one in the same, Jesus, you and I. We maintain Anonymity as a thin Vail in the Methodist faith to protect our lives we share with our loved ones, with our church and community against the virtual deportation, excommunication and possible endangering of our mortal love we have for Jesus Christ.
To lose this connection is in many ways a spiritual death penalty for trying to commune with humanity, to help others as Jesus does. I then saw on a bright cloudless day ¡estamos en alguna parte sobre el arco iris!




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7/4/08

SAN FRANSICO REJECTS HRC





HEADLINE NEWS: SAN FRANSICO CALIFORNIA GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY REJECTS HRC'S GENDER EXPRESION EXCLUSSIONARY POLICY.

San Francisco Califonia
The city by the bay has once again lead by example and is the consciousness and eyes of the American GLBT people in rejecting Joe Solmonese and HRC's unrepentant gender exclusionary policy.



If you would like to sign a petition to join this effort please click the post title.


Among the speakers was Donna Rose who said she joined HRC because she believes in Equality, Integrity and Principle. She then said she later left HRC for the same beliefs.
We in Dallas look forward to seeing Donna at the Dallas Black Tie and to hear her again express these outstanding Ideals.
In 2007 the Dallas Black Tie resulted in a $1.27 million net distribution, the largest distribution of any gay and lesbian fundraising dinner in the nation. A high percentage of the proceeds are allocated to local recipients but HRC does receive a very nice share.

It is understood by those of us who strenuously object to HRC's gender exclusionary policy that this opportunity to educate and inform the Greater Gay and Lesbian community cannot be missed.

I contacted Randy Ray, HRC member and CO-Chair of the 2008 Black Tie in a effort to conduct a Educational Initiative as we did in November of this year at the Austin Black Tie. Once again transgender people were turned down. Once again reasons were given as to why it was more important to raise millions of dollars for HRC than to build a working consensus for a gender inclusive ENDA. ENDA will save lives immedatly. It will give Transsexual sex workers a opportunity to compete for the positions they once held. It will give street transgender people a way out from under the bridges and hiding. It will help to curtail the suicides by Transgender people who are so ashamed of their condition and that they are helpless to change that KILLING themselves seems to be the only way to end the pain.

But once again we find ourselves being denied as we were in Houston and New Orleans and all across this nation at HRC events. When you drive up you will see me. Standing on the streets. Being harassed by police and security. Standing up for justice. Stand up for Trans rights.
STAND UP FOR TRANS RIGHTS IN NOVEMBER IN DALLAS TEXAS. TELL HRC HELL NO. WE ARE AS DESERVING AS ANYONE TO BE PROTECTED BY LAW. WE WANT HRC TO PROJECT THIS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS WITH ALL MEANS AVAILABLE. TODAY.

7/2/08

US Military Don't ask Don't Gay

By Kelli Busey
July 02, 2008
planetransgender

A CBS special titled "Military Soft On Don't Ask, Don't Tell? 60 Minutes: Is Military More Tolerant Of Gay Members In Wartime?"



I am sure that the title of this series could easily lead people to beleave it's content would pander to the homophobic agenda. Instead it presents a human insight to the conundrum facing many of us who served. How can I serve my county faithfully as a LGBT person? To openly admit your sexual affinity to your commanding officer could set into motion a series of events that even the most loyal of officers can not stop. General Court Martial Article 15 of the United States Military Code. I know this code like a old friend, it can be used as a gentle nudge to remind a slightly errant soldier of minor infractions or as a trial by a General Officer where the people stand accused and convicted by a single person, only waiting sentencing.

As a non commissioned officer I was ordered to witness this mock justice performed on my section Sergeant.
What was once a brave and wonderful man was stripped of his dignity and reduced to a crying and pitiful shadow. I could not help but beleave that this show was performed in part for my benefit so I could pass what I had seen on to my fellow soldiers.

Instead what happened almost cost me my stripes, and freedom but I kept my self respect and the respect of my fellow solders to include the very people who where being forced to perform this mockery of justice.
My Sergeant and I served in units who's isolated mountain top operations requires it to be far from any official brigs. Our jobs required high levels of security and technical training, not a highly desirable position mainly filled by people like us. So in this capacity I was ordered to insure that my Sergeant remained in a barracks lock down under armed guard.
Since it was a weekend and I didn't want to burden my troops with this despicable extra duty I remained to stand watch.
My Sergeant and I had discussed our positions. He fully understood that I would honor my oath of allegiance and use all means at my disposal to prevent him from escaping. We also talked about the mock justice we were a part of. I cried when my friend cried. I felt the loss of belief in god and country as my sergeant did. So when he asked me if his girlfriend could spend the weekend with him before he went to Leavenworth I made sure they were not disturbed. When he asked me if he could have beer I sent my runner to fetch it.

My Sergeant was still drunk and laid silly come the Monday morning he was scheduled for movement. Now it was my turn to "stand on the carpet" and "see the old man".

I did not fear this because my Commander was a good man, and I felt the indiscretion was a fair treatment for a unfairly condemned man. I also took great pride in this blatant act of defiance.
My Commander asked me if I know of the brevity of the situation and I replied yes sir. I received a administrative Article 15, a slap on the wrist.
What we see in the Army's reaction to LGBT people is in fact a reflection of the strong race bigotry that is unofficially condoned. As a person who was "different" I became very close to others who did not exactly match the Aryan picture uncle wanted. These people became my life blood. Sometimes I would be questioned as to why white people acted so offensively and to this I can only shrug my shoulders. I was not born with a active bigot bone.

What we are witnessing in the different reactions that the population is demonstrating in IRAQ to the European approach and ours is not exclusively a demographically universal response of the indigent population.
It mirrors my response to intolerance. I too stood and waved my finger in a act of defiance as did my commander in his jurisprudence to my participation in the highly prosecutable weekend activities.

The military can help to end the conflict the politicians created by becoming participants in humanity. We can learn from the worlds inclusion of GLBT people into their military. Contrary to the US ARMY'S official response the consequence of allowing LGBT people to disclose their affinity will not be fatal to our soldiers and would not adversely affect a units readiness. Quite the opposite. My friends knew me much better than I did, but if anything my candor made our bonds of trust unbreakable. Dear Elgin, the man who patiently dragged me, a unwilling student into understanding friendship, Rufus my running partner, James my pudding head best bud and everyone. Thank you.

Reconciling Ministries New Blog Proactive Radical Inclusion



By Kelli Busey
July 1, 2008

The Reconciling Ministries Network is launching a new blog in accordance to it's mission of bringing ALL of God's children home. In following the teachings of our lord, this vision of radical inclusion has been shaped into action by Antony Hebblethwaite and the staff of of the RMN. Among the writers who are contributing are people who have known personally Dr Martin Luther King's struggle, people who have experienced South African apartheid, pastors who are living with the denial of their Church to minister because of sexual affinity and teachers who have dedicated their lives to the good of human kind. All are human rights activists who are now deeply involved with bringing us together in peace. And one transgender truck driver, thats me. I was so inspired to by what I saw in General Conference 2008 that I self promoted my application to contribute to this blog and to my amazement, was accepted. But I got cold feet after reading the biographies that the other writers submitted. I questioned myself about my abilities. How could I ever write on the level as these educated and wonderful people. And lets face it, I'm not the most pious of people. I'm more akin to the 250lb hot dog with mustard and relish eating 9th inning self appointed 3rd base coach! Antony wrote back to me and said "easy girl". This is what reconciling means. Inclusion. So we are all here. And this is the scoop of my life! This world is after all a place for me.

Reconciling Ministries Network is a national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy and practice.

http://www.rmnetwork.org/