11/20/11

West Hollywood TDOR Murderer At Large Have You Seen Him?

(Cut and pasted for accuracy sake from L.A. NOW)

###

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details.

Authorities continue to search for a man they believe responsible for shooting to death a transgender woman in Hollywood and shooting at another in West Hollywood on Thursday night.
He is described as black, medium-complected, 5-feet-9, 150 pounds with matted hair, light facial hair, skin tags around his eyes and wearing a knit cap. He is possibly a transient and may have been on a bicycle.

Los Angeles police believe he shot and killed Nathan Henry Vickers, 32, on Lexington Avenue, near Gower Street, an area long known for street prostitution. Vickers, known by the street name “Cassidy,” was standing in the street when he was shot shortly before 10 p.m.

About a half-hour later, another transgender woman was shot at during an attempted robbery at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., in West Hollywood. No one was hurt in that incident.

Investigators believe the same man was responsible for both shootings.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Hollywood homicide detectives at (213) 972-2910, (213) 972-2901 or (213) 972-2912. After hours, call (213) 485-4628.

[For the record, Nov. 19, 10:48 a.m.: An earlier version of this post described the Hollywood slaying victim and West Hollywood individual who was shot at as transgender men. Police on Friday said they were transgender women.]

-- Sam Quinones

twitter.com/samquinones7

Photo: Drawing of suspect in Hollywood shooting. Credit: Los Angeles Police Department

11/16/11

Video: Transgender Tennessee Woman Goes Topless To Protest DMV

A Tennessee transgender woman who went topless in protest of the DMV's refusal to change her gender marker to female has spent 23 days in jail. Andrea Jones, who's driver license identifies her as male was arrested for indecent exposure which according to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-511. Public indecency is



Noted activist blogger Zoe Ellen Brain commented on the wate.com story:
"The Law *can* and does have it both ways. So far, she's spent 23 days in jail for an offence that has a sentence of 2 days. She will probably be found guilty, and put on a sex offender's register as a male, for exposing herself as a female. Logic has nothing to do with it, the idea is to express society's disapproval of those born with medical conditions that make others feel uncomfortable. The persecution is quite deliberate, a matter of policy. // Just look at some of the comments here. // Being in jail, and likely to be so for a while, of course she's lost her job. Regardless of the verdict, she's unlikely to ever get another one. If put on a sex offender's list, forget it - for she's no longer just a Freak, but a sex criminal, a danger to society and a threat to children etc.// This is how Intersex and Trans people are treated in TN, this is not an "isolated case"."
Indeed Zoe, Tennessee citizenry, police and politicians have a history of transphobic and homophobic behaviour, but recently there have been some inspiring local incidents when these same people have stood up for whats right. So the fight for equality goes on and Andrea Jones is asking for help and asks you to email her at berdache1979@ya

Massachusetts Catches Equality Maryland Virus


Transgender activist author Jordan Gwendolyn thinks "its time for a little bit of South Philly straight talk, and this South Philly girl with Jersey provenance is ready to go Jersey on the sellouts".


Cross posted with from amplifyyourvoice.org

"Just when I thought the defeat of HB235 in Maryland sent a message that gender identity should be put on equal footing with race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Massachusetts, AT THE LAST MINUTE, decides to put a non-discrimination bill up for a vote."

"From The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition:"

Over the next 24 hours, it is critical that lawmakers hear from bill supporters!

MassEquality will be phonebanking in support of the bill all day today. And we need volunteers! During phone banks, we talk to constituents and transfer supporters of the bill directly to their lawmakers’ voicemail boxes so they can leave messages in support of the bill. Call Justin at 617.878.2344 to sign up or send him an email!

In the days ahead, you may hear confusing things about this bill. To be clear, this bill provides vital protections in employment, education, housing, credit, and hate crimes which transgender residents of the Commonwealth desperately need. The bill is not perfect as it does not include public accommodations protections, but it is a solid civil rights bill that represents an historic step forward in supporting full civil rights protections for the transgender community.
Gwendolyn continues: "I oppose this bill 1000%. All I want is for every type of discrimination to be illegal, based on gender identity, and for the protections to be coequal, NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS. I think its time for a little bit of South Philly straight talk, and this South Philly girl with Jersey provenance is ready to go Jersey on the sellouts:" Read why shes so pissed at amplifyyourvoice.org.

Then ask yourself as Monica Roberts has on TransGriot why are "Unjust Trans Rights Bill Advancing In Massachusetts?" Even Queerty is wondering just Why Doesn’t MA’s Trans Rights Bill Protect Trans People From Public Discrimination?

My take on it? A transgender civil rights bill without public accommodations protections doesn't even give us a pot to piss in. Its only worth is the sensationalistic promotional value garnered from its promoter and chief gay.com shill Gunner Scott with whom I have a long history with after I exposed his receiving $25,000 from HRC smack dab in the middle of the HR2015 ENDA crisis.

Like I said then, You don't get money for nothing.

Oh yeah and transphobes and haters because they know a stand alone bill without gay.com's backing for public accommodations doesn't stand a chance of a ice cube in hell.

And of course gay.com who will be thrilled to get the potty problem off their backs now to be considered strictly a 'transgender issue'.

Working Together with Police to Protect and PROMOTE our Transgender Community

Many times crimes against transgender people go unreported. Many times out of ignorance, transgender people are misrepresented and misgendered in police reports only to be amplified by media. With the TDOR at our doorstep this is an amazing video to watch. Please clic-the-pic or link.

http://vimeo.com/28994211

11/14/11

DC Trans Day of Action to Demand Police Protection, Accountability and Respect


November 17 Transgender Day of Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 14, 2011

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Miguel Tuason, glaatuasmig@gmail.com, 571-218-7505

Alison Gardner, alison@venusplusx.org, 202-290-7077



M E D I A A D V I S O R Y

November 17 Transgender Day of Action

Delivers Demands to District Officials

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On November 17 at 1:00 PM, a broad coalition of organizations and concerned DC residents will be hand-delivering written goals, demands, and deadlines aimed at stemming the escalation of violent crimes against Transgender people in the nation’s capital. Starting with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy Lanier and U.S. District Attorney for Washington, DC (DA USAO) Ron Machen, who oversees the city’s federally-administered justice system, the activists will continue with Mayor Vincent Gray, and all 13 City DC Councilmembers.

WHAT: Transgender Day of Action
WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 2011, starting at 1 PM
WHERE: MPD Headquarters (300 Indiana Avenue NW) to the US Attorney’s Office (555 4th Street NW)
and City Hall (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue) in Washington, DC
WHY: The Trans community and its allies throughout the city come together to demand change.
HOW: Activists deliver a set of written demands with date certain expectations and consequences.
WITH: Transgender Day of Remembrance at MCC on Sunday @ 5 PM (474 Ridge Street NW)


The grim media reports trumpet the District’s rise in violent crime against Trans people, including two murders this summer, LaShai McClean, 23, on July 20, and Gaurav Gopalan, 35, on September 10, while experts contend that crimes against Trans people are generally underreported or misreported by the police. And, MPD’s clearance rate for assaults and murders involving trans victims is just a quarter of the average rate, 20% versus 80% of crimes solved, respectively, according to Police Chief Lanier.

Late August brought together a dozen community organizations in a coalition called DC TLGB Police Watch, all determined to bring immediate, systemic, and sustainable change to the District. TLGB, rather than LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans people), is part of the group’s name to signal its primary focus on Trans issues. These activists intend to continue bringing public pressure on elected and appointed officials to seriously address this crisis that, sadly, includes anti-Trans violence and unconstitutional profiling by MPD officers.

DC TLGB Watch includes the local organizers of the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, this year scheduled for Sunday, November 20, at the Metropolitan Community Church. Each year the Trans community and its allies solemnly gather to honor murder victims and their families. The Transgender of Action was conceived to honor these victims, as well, by bringing advocacy to the streets and sidewalks.

The still-expanding coalition consists of local and national organizations including DC Trans Coalition (DCTC), Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS), Gay & Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA), GetEQUAL DC, Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, International Socialist Organization (ISO), Cedar Lane UU Church LGBT Task Force, VenusPlusX, Rainbow Response, Transgender Health Empowerment, and Gender Rights Maryland.

We invite you to download the the group’s goals and demands and color Poster, listen to the TransFM interview with Alison Gardner and Ruby Corado regarding the day of action, and find more info at Facebook/Transgender Day of Action or TLGBpolicewatch.tumblr.com.

#####

11/13/11

Call For Transgender Unity After St. Petersburg Russia Anti LGBT Law Proposed!

Google doc English translation

The police simply stand by as St Petersburg pride celebrants were beaten this year but thats not enough for Putin. This purposed amendment to a St Petersburg law would further criminalize public gatherings of LGBT people equate us with pedophiles effectively banning all transgender, lesbian and gay gatherings be it for social functions like a picnic or activism events.

LGBT Asylum News reports Putins national party is enacting regional laws one city at a time shutting and dead locking the closet door.


The world is responding by petitioning the Russian government not to enact this draconian law. This English translation can be found on Moscow resident Anno Komarov's facebook page:

Anno Komarov in brown jacket being led by police from the rally


"Against the adoption of the St. Petersburg law restricting freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression
Category:
Public law regulation, laws and legislation
Region:
St. Petersburg
... Author:
Semenov, AA
Maintained by:
Organizations do not
№ 5832
Gathering signatures.
Donate
Description
Документы (1)
Voted (525/19)
Comments (22)
История (2)
Against the adoption of the St. Petersburg law restricting freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression
in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Governor Poltavchenko GS COPIES Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, VP Lukin, Commissioner on Human Rights in St. Petersburg, AS Kozyrev Ombudsman for Children in St. Petersburg, SJ Agapitovoy November 11 faction "United Russia" made in the Legislative Assembly amended the Law "On Administrative Offences in St. Petersburg." "United Russia" proposed to introduce administrative liability and impose a fine for public action aimed at the so-called "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality, transgender," and to promote pedophilia among minors. We, the undersigned, urge you to pay attention to the use of improper language in the law and definitive substitution of concepts. We consider it inadmissible to compare the public mention of homosexuality, bisexuality and trangendernosti propaganda of sexual crimes against minors (pedophilia). We consider it inadmissible to the adoption of this law to homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender as a normative act, which violates the basic rough shape human rights (as well as groups and organizations) to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well as a number of international human rights instruments. We believe that the law contributes directly to the feuding and an increase in xenophobic attitudes in society . We ask you not to allow adoption of the Act without proper public hearings, taking into account the full range of scientific views of the Russian and the international community, as well as peer review. We urge the authorities to respect the Constitution, in which the protection of human rights is the highest value. We ask the authorities to pay attention to the significant risk of the consequences that inevitably follow in the event of adoption of this law, namely fomenting xenophobia against homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people, fomenting discord in society and the increase in aggressive mood among the population."

Please sign the petition at Проблема 5832: Против принятия в Санкт-Петербурге закона, ограничивающего свободу объединений, мирны
democrator.ru