NOLA Town Hall On Transgender Violence Today

Because of the deaths of trans women Cyna Gibson and Ciara McElvee that happened in New Orleans during Mardi Gras weekend and the disturbing video that came out in January of some wastes of DNA chasing trans women, this afternoon for those of you in the New Orleans metro area, there will be a town hall to discuss the unacceptable levels of violence being aimed at trans women in the NOLA area.

It's sponsored by Transitions Louisiana, Trans United Fund and the Foundation for Louisiana, and starts at 3;00 PM CST at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D), NOLA District D Councilmember Jared D. Brosset, District E Councilmember James Gray III are just some of the NOLA political leaders who have been invited to attend this town hall.

But most disturbingly, according to founding Executive Director of Transitions Louisiana Jada Mercedes Cardona, Brosset and Gray have yet to even acknowledge receipt of their invitation much less send a response whether they will attend or not.

I'm also curious to find out if anyone from US Rep Cedric Richmond's office will show up for this forum as well.

"I'm interested to see if Councilman Jared C. Brossett, District D (where Clara was killed) and James Gray, District E (where Chyna was killed) are going to show.... They didn't even give us the courtesy of a reply. 

Further proof that some elected officials still ignore us, just believe we will disappear (or die) and don't regard us as whole human beings, worthy of respect. 

I'm glad to see both the Honorable Councilman Jason Williams, Council at-Large and The Honorable Councilwoman Latoya Cantrell step up and are willing to listen and help us formulate a plan to improve relations between their constituents!!!!"

At large Councilman Jason Williams, and District B Councilwoman Latoya Cantrell are confirmed attendees for this forum scheduled to run for two hours.

If you're attending this town hall, it's taking place at the First UU Church of New Orleans, located at 2903 Jefferson Ave and Claiborne St.

Hope the event is a successful one, and I also hope to hear that the church is packed with people and NOLA political leaders and law enforcement wishing to come up with concrete steps to solve the problem of anti-trans violence in the NOLA area.

I also hope that when this forum is done, it will also begin the process in NOLA of getting people to recognize that trans lives matter, we have the right to exist, and we are worthy of respect.