11/20/09

2009 Transgender Murders number 101: A Sad List

The number of Transgender Deaths has doubled within one year. As of Oct 22 2009 there has been 95 deaths calculated the year before there were 47.

We are people,
We have faces,
We have families,
We have friends,
We have lives,
We have value,
We have voices,
None of this should be taken away from any of us because of who we are.

We are the unwilling victim of hate.
http://www.transgenderdor.org/ to find a TDoR event near you.

11/19/09

Tampa City Council votes to Protect Transgender Citizens


Source: Equality Florida

(TAMPA) "Equality Florida commends the Tampa City Council for expanding non-discrimination protections to those who live, work and visit the city. Tampa is the latest city in Florida to add “gender identity” to its human rights ordinance that bans discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation."

"Today’s action comes at the request of the Tampa Human Rights Council led by its Chair, Phil Dinkins. Equality Florida has worked closely with the council in the months leading up to today’s vote and assisted with documenting the clear need for such protections."

“Equality Florida was born out of the struggle to expand Tampa’s non-discrimination protections so they include the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community,” said Nadine Smith. “Today’s vote, while long overdue, makes it clear that Tampa is a leader in Florida when it comes to protecting its citizens.”

"One extreme right organization launched an effort to derail today’s vote, but Equality Florida members and allied organizations including Pride Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough LGBT Democratic Caucus stepped up and sent 3,096 emails to various Tampa City Council members encouraging them to stand strong in their conviction to protect all citizens. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, BB&T Bank, PepsiCo/FritoLay and other leaders in the business community spoke out debunking wild claims by the opposition by recounting the positive impact inclusive policies have had for their companies." Full story at Equality Florida

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission TDOR


IGLHRC Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance:
Take Action Against Abuse of Transgender People in Guatemala and Turkey
On November 20, the 11th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, take action against the recent murders of transgender women in Guatemala and call for changes in a law used to persecute transgender people in Turkey.
TAKE ACTION: GUATEMALA »

Stop Murder of Trans Women in Guatemala
This day offers a powerful opportunity to insist that trans rights are human rights, and that the global community has an obligation to stop violence against transgender people.
TAKE ACTION: TURKEY »

Change Law of Misdemeanors to End Abuse of Trans People
Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those who have been killed by hatred and prejudice against transgender people and raises public awareness to combat violence against transgender people. Every year, transgender people around the world face pervasive threats of discrimination, imprisonment, violence, and murder.
The tragic deaths of over 200 trans people reported in the last two years-and the countless others that go unreported around the world-are sobering reminders of transgender people's vulnerability to state-sponsored and private violence because of their gender identity and expression.
READ OUR BLOG »

Read more about the state of trans people's human rights in the past two years.
IGLHRC's mission is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. In September 2009, IGLHRC held its first strategy workshop for trans activists in the Caribbean. The workshop provided activists from the most marginalized communities with training in documentation and human rights advocacy. The Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CARIFLAGS) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) co-hosted the workshop.
WATCH VIDEOS »

Watch videos of activists from the workshop speaking about the hardships and challenges they have confronted in their lives.

IGLHRC 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1505 New York, NY 10038 phone: 212.430.6054 fax: 212.430.6060

11/18/09

Transgender Woman Dana Beyer attacked with 'KGB-type tactics'

Dana Beyer's employer, Montgomery Maryland County Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg is furious about the secretive 'KGB-type' investigation being conducted by the state's ethics committee.

The ethics committee, apparently motivated by the anti transgender group "Citizens for a Responsible Government" has secretively been conducting after hours searches of the official offices and computers of her top advisor. " Citizens for a Responsible Government" were the sponsors of the failed petition drive to bring the recently passed transgender inclusive anti discrimination ordinances in Montgomery Maryland to a popular vote.

Source: Gazette.com "A County Councilwoman's senior policy adviser who helped draft the county's antidiscrimination law to protect transgendered people now is using the law in filing a complaint against the Montgomery County Ethics Commission."

"I helped craft the bill, and I'm the first to use it," said Dana Beyer, a transgendered woman who serves as senior aide to Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At large). "That's a delicious irony."

"Beyer filed a complaint Tuesday with the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission against the county, claiming its Ethics Commission has investigated her for the past eight months because of her "gender identity." read full story at Gazette.com

11/17/09

Barbra Boxer and Courage Campaign for Reproductive Rights


On November 7, the House passed the Stupak Amendment to their health care reform bill, representing one of the biggest setbacks to women’s health in recent decades – unless we stand together and stop it.

That's why I just signed the petition Senator Barbara Boxer has launched FightForWomensHealth.com, calling for the removal of the Stupak Amendment from any bill that reaches the President's desk.

The House amendment would tell women who participate in the new health insurance exchange that they can't even use their own funds to buy a policy that offers abortion coverage.

In short, the Stupak Amendment would take away health insurance coverage that women already have. This is a huge step back for women’s health.

Join me and Senator Boxer to FightForWomensHealth.com today!

Thank you!