NBJC Statement On Failed DADT Repeal

Yesterday the Senate failed to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT),” a law that calls for all gay and lesbian people who serve in the armed forces to be discharged without benefits if their sexual orientation is revealed. Supporters voted 56-43 in favor of starting debate on the 2011 Defense authorization bill, short of the 60 needed. A Republican-led filibuster blocked efforts to reverse DADT, shelving an Obama administration priority until after the November election.

In response to the delayed repeal, National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director Sharon Lettman-Hicks stated,

“The battle to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has been stalled temporarily, but the fight is not over. We thank our ally organizations and informed leadership for staying the course to reverse an unjust and outdated law that compromises the moral integrity of our armed services by forcing gay and lesbian servicemembers to lie about who they are and who they love. More than thirteen-thousand servicemembers have been discharged due to DADT, including a disproportionate number of Black women. Those women have been left without health benefits and pensions and with a stained professional record simply for being lesbians. We look forward to the day when, even in our short-term memory, this will seem absurd--the fact that people debated whether servicemembers who sacrifice their lives every day to keep our country safe also have the right to be honest about who they are without becoming victims of government-sanctioned identity suppression.”

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The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. NBJC's mission is to end racism and homophobia.

NTAC ACTION ALERT: Urge Senators to Pass ENDA Out of Committee Now!

National Trans Advocacy Coalition (NTAC)
Contact: Vanessa Edwards Foster
ntacmedia@aol.com

ACTION ALERT: Urge Senators to Pass ENDA Out of Committee Now!

As time is ticking away on this session of Congress, we still have no ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act) bill active in process in the House of Representatives. The window of opportunity to bring a bill up for vote is extremely tight now, with only three and a half months before the congressional summer break. After that break, it’ll be peak re-election campaign season for most on Capitol Hill.

Translated, it means nothing will be done on ENDA if it has not passed both houses of Congress before the end of July. We lose ENDA’s window of opportunity completely.

With Rep. Barney Frank continuing to tamper with the original bill language, it’s anyone’s guess what the ENDA bill’s end result will be. It’s obvious that the House will not be leaders on this.

Moreover, the silence and lack of clear direction from our community’s political leadership in Washington is not a good sign.

We must begin contacting the Senate and requesting them to lead on this effort, and need to do so immediately. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is author and lead sponsor of ENDA (Senate bill S. 1584), and we have adequate language on the Senate bill as it currently stands [you can view the bill at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.1584:] We have 44 sponsors in all, including twelve of the 23 senators on the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee it’s assigned to.

Special focus on specific senators on committee who could be potential supporters: Kay Hagan (D-NC), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and maybe a straying Orrin Hatch (R-UT) or Judd Gregg (R-NH).

Task One: We need everyone to contact the senators who sit on the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee to bring this bill onto the calendar for mark-up and committee vote. Additionally make it known that you want this bill to proceed in its current form with no changes. Express that you are against having the language watered-down on any of the provisions in it. When you write to them, if you were formerly a resident of their state then let them know you are a former constituent and add that you are even considering moving back there in the near future (they don’t need to know whether or not that will eventually occur).

If the particular senate office contact asks by phone if you are a constituent, reply to them that as this is a committee vote, not every state has representation on each committee and that you want this bill brought to the floor in order to ensure your elected senator has the opportunity to weigh in on this bill. (That’s all they need to know for now.)

Task Two: If you’re a constituent of any senators not on this committee (see list of committee senators below), contact them and ask for their support on S.1584. Additionally ask if they would write a “Dear Colleague” letter or personally contact their colleagues on the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee to express their support and encourage them to move this bill without amendment to the Senate Floor.

Task Three: Once you’ve completed this, contact all your friends to do likewise, and remind them how vital this bill is for the LGB and especially T community!

List of Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Senators:

US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions - http://help.senate.gov/

Democrats by Rank
Tom Harkin (IA) // DC office: (202) 224-3254 // dan_goldberg@harkin.senate.gov // Iowa: 515-284-4574
Christopher Dodd (CT) // DC office: (202) 224-2823 // Fax: (202) 224-1083 // CT office: 860-258-6940
Barbara A. Mikulski (MD) // DC office: (202) 224-4654 // Baltimore office: (410) 962-4510
Jeff Bingaman (NM) // DC office: (202) 224-5521 // NM phone: 505-346-6601
Patty Murray (WA) // DC office: (202) 224-2621 // Fax: (202) 224-0238 // Seattle office: (206) 553-5545
Jack Reed (RI) // DC office: (202) 224-4642 // RI office: (401) 943-3100
Bernard Sanders (I) (VT) // DC office: (202) 224-5141 // Fax: (202) 228-0776
Sherrod Brown (OH) // DC office: (202) 224-2315 // Fax: (202) 228-6321
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA) // DC office: (202) 224-6324 // Fax: (202) 228-0604 // christina_baumgardner@casey.senate.gov
Kay Hagan (NC) // DC office: (202) 224-6342 // Fax: (202) 228-2563 // devan_barber@hagan.senate.gov
Jeff Merkley (OR) // DC office: (202) 224-3753 // Fax: (202) 228-3997 // waasil_kareem@merkley.senate.gov
Al Franken (MN) // DC office: (202) 224-5641
Michael Bennett (CO) // DC office: (202) 224-5852 // Fax: (202) 224-5036 // sam_jammal@bennet.senate.gov

Republicans by Rank
Michael B. Enzi (WY) DC office: (888) 250-1879 // Fax: (202) 228-035 // jennifer_barnes@enzi.senate.gov // http://enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.OfficeLocations
Judd Gregg (NH) // DC office: (202) 224-3324 // allison_dembeck@gregg.senate.gov
Lamar Alexander (TN) // DC office: (202) 224-4944 // Fax: (202) 228-3398
Richard Burr (NC) // DC office: (202) 224-3154 // Fax: (202) 228-2981
Johnny Isakson (GA) // DC office: (202) 224-3643 // Fax: (202) 228-0724
John McCain (AZ) // DC office: (202) 224-2235 // Fax: (202) 228-2862
Orrin G. Hatch (UT) // DC office: (202) 224-5251 // Fax: (202) 224-6331 // bryan_hickman@hatch.senate.gov
Lisa Murkowski (AK) // DC office: (202) 224-6665 // Fax: (202) 224-5301 // karen_mccarthy@murkowski.senate.gov
Tom Coburn, M.D. (OK) // DC office: (202) 224-5754 // Fax: (202) 224-6008
Pat Roberts (KS) // DC office: (202) 224-4774 // Fax: (202) 224-3514

In your communication, please be:

Respectful (even if the office is unsupportive). We want to duplicate the Teabaggers' coverage and efficacy in contacting Congress. We DO NOT want to duplicate their rhetorical rancor or personal invective as that will place us all in a bad light. At the end of the communication, thank them for their time.

Insistent that this legislation is sorely needed. Explain how this economy has made a tough situation even more dire and how we can’t wait for Rep. Barney Frank as we’re losing our chance to address this in this session. (You can additionally remind them of Sen. Kennedy’s words shortly before his death on his support of ENDA).

Stress the Personal. We’re not going to force you to a script – put this in your own words! If all of us parrot the same words, they’ll dismiss it as a carbon copy campaign. If you have an incident of discrimination in the workplace (and most all Trans people do), detail that. If you have friends or relatives who’ve been discriminated against in the workplace place, recount their stories too. Personal stories make impact and work!

We can’t speak on behalf of other groups, but if needed, you may mention you were encouraged to contact them by the National Trans Advocacy Coalition (NTAC).

After the Senate Committee vote, NTAC will issue a follow-up Action Alert on ENDA.

- 30 -

Founded in 1999, NTAC – the National Trans Advocacy Coalition – is a grassroots civil rights group and the longest-tenured organization advocating for federal legislation on behalf of the America’s Trans Community.

Statewide Fairness Coalition Awarded $30,000 From State Equality Fund

The Tides Foundation’s State Equality Fund, a philanthropic partnership that includes the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, the Gill Foundation, and anonymous donors, has awarded the Kentucky Statewide Fairness Coalition $30,000 to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The Fund is programmatically staffed on behalf of the donors by the Gill Foundation’s Movement Building Center.

During the summer of 2009, the Kentucky Statewide Fairness Coalition submitted a letter of intent seeking to submit a complete grant proposal for support. Shortly after submission, the Coalition was invited to apply.

“The State Equality Fund promotes equality through the work of state and local organizations,” said Toni Broaddus, Executive Director of the Equality Federation, national alliance working to further equality in a state-based movement. “Support from the State Equality Fund will assist the Coalition in advancing their work around nondiscrimination and parenting rights of LGBT Kentuckians.”

The Coalition releases the following joint statement: “We are fortunate to receive this grant through the State Equality Fund to support our work advancing the rights and dignity of LGBT Kentuckians. We will continue to bring fair-minded people together for real and substantive change that betters our Commonwealth.”

The Coalition began its 2010 work this past weekend with the 2nd Statewide Fairness Summit held in Frankfort Saturday, January 16. Over 100 Fairness supporters from across the state convened in the Commonwealth's Capitol to develop strategy towards passage of the statewide anti-discrimination Fairness law, pre-filed in the House this session by Louisville Representative Mary Lou Marzian.

The Coalition has scheduled its 2010 Statewide Fairness Lobby Day and Rally in Frankfort for Wednesday, February 24.

Members of the Kentucky Statewide Fairness Coalition are: Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Fairness Campaign, Lexington Fairness, Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky Foundation.

Our Asian-Pacific Rim Transsisters Form APTN

TransGriot Note: Our transsisters in Asia and the Pacific Rim made a little history this month to close out the 2k's. They formed an organization designed to advocate for the rights and the health issues of transpeople across the region.

This is wonderful news not only for transpeople in Asia and the Pacific Rim, but their transsisters on the rest of the planet.

Here's the press release for the Asia Pacific Transgender Network courtesy of Leona's blog.

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World’s First Asia Pacific Transgender Network Launched to Champion Health and Rights of Transgender Women in the Region

Diverse groups from warias, kathoeys and hijras to be represented

22 December 09, Singapore. Transgender women from 10 Asia Pacific countries and areas are coming together to say “No!” to discrimination and marginalisation by forming the world’s first Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN). After three days of intense meetings, it was decided that the APTN, composed entirely of transgender women across the region, will champion transgender women’s health, legal and social rights.

Ms. Khartini Slamah, Founding Working Group member and Core-Group Chair of the Transgender Programme in Pink Triangle (PT) Foundation, Malaysia, says this represents a milestone in the history of transgender women in the region. She says, “For a long time transgender women have been represented among the MSM (men who have sex with men) sub-population group, but there is now a recognition that we are a distinct demographic with our own unique needs. We wish to be separated from the MSM umbrella and inform The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to stop clustering us under the MSM umbrella. Transgender women are not men – we have different issues and needs. Thus we have formed a network addressing the needs of transgender women only.”

From hijras in South Asia to warias in Indonesia

The group represents a broad spectrum of transgender women from sex workers to career women, from hijras (South Asia), warias (Indonesia), kathoeys (Thailand) and sao praphet songs (Thailand) to specialized interest groups such as youth, Muslims and elderly transgender women.

Ms Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, another Founding Working Group member and one of the most recognizable faces of hijras in India, says she is pleased the community is being represented by the network. She says, “For the first time in history, hijras from Nepal, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are joining hands with our transgender sisters from Asia Pacific to say ‘No!’ to being treated like second-class citizens. We know there is strength in numbers. Together, we can advance and improve the health, legal and social rights of transgender women.”

The network will also tackle issues in the region such as HIV prevalence among transgender sex workers, especially in countries such as Indonesia and Cambodia, where infection rates are extremely high and resources in place are inadequate to ensure access to quality healthcare, as well as to protect the rights of the sex workers.

Outreach activities

The network is developing a workplan for the next two to three years. The Working Group will identify and explore key populations/groups in immediate need of support and plan activities to reach out to these target groups. Transgender representatives have also been appointed from every sub-region and from key sub-populations to rally transgender organisations within their respective sub-regions or areas to become members of the network.

Ms Sitthiphan (Hua) Boonyapisomparn, APTN Coordinator who is based in Bangkok, says, “At this stage, it is important that we develop a comprehensive workplan that addresses the needs of APTN members. We are already in discussion with potential donors and sponsors to explore how they might support APTN programmes.”

For more information about the network or to support its programmes, please contact Ms Sitthiphan at huab2007@gmail.com.

APTN Sub Regions and Key Populations

The APTN is categorized according to seven sub-regions and seven key populations. Each group is represented as follows:

Danisha (Malaysia) for transgender drug users

Jetsada Taesombat (Thailand) for transgender youth

Jin Qiu (China) for China Sub-Region

Khartini Slamah (Malaysia) for senior transgender women

Laxmi Narayan Iripathi (India) for India Sub-region

Leona Lo (Singapore) for Developed Asia Sub-region

Luluk Surahman (Indonesia) for Insular Southeast Asia Sub-region

Manisha (Nepal) for South Asia Sub-region

Prempreeda Pramos Na Ayutthaya (Thailand) for the Greater Mekong Sub-region

Sam Sela (Cambodia) for transgender people living with HIV

Sulastri (Malaysia) for transgender sex workers

Zahida Hijra (Bangladesh) for hijras

Vacant – for transgender Muslims

Vacant – for Pacific Sub-region

About APTN

The mission of APTN is to enable transgender women in the Asia Pacific region to organise and advocate to improve their health, protect their human rights, and enhance their social well-being and the quality of their lives. The network startup is supported by the 7 Sisters Coalition of Asia Pacific Regional Networks on HIV/AIDS, Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM), and Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW)

NBJC Applauds DC Council Passage Of Marriage Equality Legislation

NBJC applauds the 11-to-2 passage of marriage equality legislation by the Washington D.C. City Council late this afternoon. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has said he will sign the legislation into law.

“The families of our LGBT sisters and brothers deserve the same rights and protections as any others, and this legislation absolutely strengthens families,” said NBJC Executive Director Sharon J. Lettman. “We celebrate this victory along with all those who have worked to ensure that civil rights in our nation's capital apply to everyone.”

This legislation makes Washington D.C. the nation's first southern jurisdiction to pass marriage equality legislation. D.C. already recognizes marriages performed in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont, each of which passed laws supporting marriage equality earlier this year.


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The National Black Justice Coalition (www.NBJC.org) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Its mission is to end racism and homophobia. NBJC envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity, or sexual orientation.

CAVP and NCAVP Reponse To Andrade Verdict

Colorado Anti-Violence Program & National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Responds to Verdict

Allen Ray Andrade Found Guilty of First Degree Murder and Bias Motivated Crime


Greeley, CO - April 22, 2009

The verdict today brings us mixed emotions. We are reminded that we have lost yet another young member of our community to hate. The fact that Angie's killer was found guilty of first degree murder and a bias motivated crime shows that this murder was taken seriously. This verdict sends the message that violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people is unacceptable. We applaud the Weld County District Attorney for making Colorado a leader in showing that violence against the LGBTQ community will not be tolerated.

We must not leave today thinking that this is an isolated incident or that our work is done. In 2008 alone, there were at least 19 reported anti-LGBTQ murders in the United States. We remember Lawrence King, Duanna Johnson, Latiesha Green, Sanesha Stewart and Simmie Williams Jr.

Since the time of Angie's murder, we at the Colorado Anti-Violence Program and many others have witnessed the mourning of the Zapata family, the Greeley community, the transgender community and the greater lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and ally communities. We have also witnessed incredible perseverance, strength and love unite people as they began to organize to raise awareness and educate others to prevent this from happening again.

Fear, misunderstanding or hatred of LGBTQ people does not justify violence. It takes incredible courage to be who we are in a world that makes us invisible, forces us to hide, and condones violence against us. Angie was not only a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend but a beautiful young woman courageous enough to be herself.

Throughout this trial we've heard many myths about transgender people including attempts to blame Angie for her own murder. We witnessed the defense continually focus on the behavior of the murder victim, rather than on the violent actions of her killer. The fact is that transgender people are faced with a Catch 22. Being out about one's transgender status often means experiencing a tremendous amount of violence, the blame for which is often placed on the individual for being out. However, not speaking about ones transgender identity often means being stereotyped as deceptive and yet again, blamed for the violence that one experiences.

Implicit throughout this trial was the dangerous assumption that outing oneself as transgender guarantees safety. On the contrary, in some instances, outing can increase the risk of violence. Many transgender people struggle to know when and how to talk about their bodies and gender. This can be extremely difficult and scary to decide when and with whom to have this conversation. CAVP and NCAVP stand by the truth that the right to live free from violence is not conditional. It is a right granted to all of us regardless of whether or not we identify with the gender we were assigned at birth.

Ultimately, this is a human rights issue. Transgender people, like all people, have a right to self-determination, safety and respect. We call on our lawmakers to pass legislation that funds restorative and transformative justice, victim's rights and accountability programs for offenders as well as community-based prevention initiatives and public education that works to counter the stereotypes and misinformation at the root of hate violence. We call on the people of Colorado and the rest of the country to stand up, speak out, and organize to create safer communities where we are all free to live our lives without the fear of violence.

Colorado Anti Violence Program Press Release

TransGriot Note: The press release from the Colorado Anti-Violence Project

Zapata Family and CAVP will make statements

Greeley, CO - April 22, 2009

The prosecution and defense teams have rested their cases in the trial of Allen Ray Andrade, who is accused of killing Angie Zapata in her Greeley apartment last July. Closing arguments are expected Wednesday morning and the case will likely go to the jury around noon.

The family of Angie Zapata will not comment about the verdict immediately after it is returned but will make a statement shortly thereafter. The Colorado Anti-Violence Program will respond to the verdict immediately following the family's statement approximately one-half hour after the verdict is announced in the lobby outside of Courtroom 11 where the trial has occurred.

"This is an emotionally difficult time for the family," said Kelly Costello, director of advocacy for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. "For that reason, the family has requested their privacy be respected immediately after the verdict. They ask that the media please be present for their statement and recognize that that will be their only statement for the day."

About Colorado Anti-Violence Program

The Colorado Anti-Violence Program has been dedicated to eliminating violence within and against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities in Colorado, and providing the highest quality services to survivors since 1986. CAVP provides direct services including crisis intervention, information, and referrals for LGBTQ victims of violence 24 hours a day.

The CAVP also provides technical assistance, training, and education for community organizations, law enforcement, and mainstream service providers on violence issues affecting the LGBTQ community. The most common types of violence they respond to are hate crimes and partner abuse, as well as cases that involve random violence, sexual assault, and HIV-motivated violence.

LGBTQ victims of crimes or those who have witnessed a crime are encouraged to call our 24 hour free and confidential hotline at 303-852-5094 or 1-888-557-4441 or visit our website at http://www.coavp.org/.

TAVA Congratulates ACLU On Winning The Diane Schroer Case

On September 19, 2008, Judge James Robertson of the United States Federal District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of former Army Colonel Diane Schroer in her discrimination case against the Library of Congress.

“It is especially gratifying that the court has ruled that discriminating against someone for transitioning is illegal,” said Diane Schroer, the plaintiff in the case.

“The court got it exactly right, sending a loud and clear message to employers everywhere: if you fire or refused to hire someone for transitioning, you are guilty of sex discrimination and may well find yourself liable,” said Sharon McGowan, one of the ACLU LGBT Project staff attorneys who tried the case.

The entire Board of Directors and the membership of the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) wish to congratulate the ACLU for winning this landmark case for one of our fellow veterans in fighting discrimination in federal employment. We watched this case closely and followed all the ups and downs over the last four years. We also wish to thank Colonel Schroer for all she has done to keep this country free. If she was good enough to serve her country, she's good enough to hold a civilian federal job.

“For members of TAVA,” stated Angela Brightfeather, Vice President of TAVA, “the court decision in favor of Diane Schroer is confirmation of her love of country and why GLBT Veterans have fought and died for America in every military conflict since the founding of our Nation. The courage, tenacity, leadership, common sense and moral certainty of Ms. Schroer in her fight for equality will benefit gender diverse people and help to stop discrimination against them. Both Ms. Schroer and the ACLU deserve a ‘well done’ and ‘mission accomplished’ from all Transgender Veterans and active service members.”

Founded in 2003, the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) is a 501 (c) 3 organization that acts proactively with other concerned civil rights and human rights organizations to ensure that transgender veterans will receive appropriate care for their medical conditions in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration’s Customer Service Standards promise to “treat you with courtesy and dignity . . . as the first class citizen that you are.” Further, TAVA will help in educating the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) on issues regarding fair and equal treatment of transgender individuals. Also, TAVA will help the general transgender community when deemed appropriate and within the IRS guidelines.

TTPC-Prosecute Berry Murder As A Hate Crime

TransGriot Note: As Dr. King stated, we are in an inescapable network of mutuality. For those of you who continue to ignore the fact that transgender people are part of the human family and that crimes committed against us should get the same swift and sure punishment that you accord anyone else, here's a reminder of what some of the possible consequences can be to society if you don't.

Tiffany Berry's killer D'Andre Blake walked the streets of Memphis as a free man for two and a half years because the judge set a ridiculously low bond for her murder. Now a second person has died at the hands of the man who killed Tiffany, his own two year old daughter.


Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition Calls On Berry Murder To Be Prosecuted As Hate Crime

Last night (August 1), WREG-TV in Memphis reported that the man who was charged with the February 16, 2006, murder of Tiffany Berry, has now been arraigned on a second murder charge. On Thursday, authorities in Shelby County charged DeAndre Blake with the murder of his own two year old daughter.

At the time of this second murder, Blake was walking the streets of Memphis as a free man on a $20,000 bond. According to Berry's family, Blake admitted he had killed Berry because he did not like the way she had "touched" him.

"We believe these 'trans panic' and 'gay panic' defenses need to be rejected and that local law enforcement needs to begin aggressive prosecution of all such cases as hate crimes," said Dr. Marisa Richmond, President of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition. "If the judge had set a more appropriate bond, or if the Shelby County District Attorney had been more aggressive at scheduling a trial date, this man might not have been out walking the streets for two and half years and that child might still be alive," continued Richmond.

This latest tragedy is just one more in a growing number of anti-GLBT hate crimes across Tennessee. The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition insists that the murder of Tiffany Berry be prosecuted as a hate crime. We also insist that the Memphis Police Department officers who brutally beat Duanna Johnson, an African American transgender woman, on February 12, also be prosecuted on hate crimes charges. We also urge the Memphis Police Department to step up its investigation of the July 1 murder of Ebony Whitaker, another African American transgender woman.

In other parts of Tennessee, we insist that local authorities aggressively investigate and prosecute additional hate crimes including the murder of Nakia Baker in Nashville on January 7, 2007, the ongoing harassment of a gay man at his home in McMinnville, and last weekend's tragic shooting in the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville. All of these events show that there needs to be increased education across Tennessee about the GLBT community, and a more serious look at hate crimes covering both sexual orientation and gender identity.

We also urge members of the Tennessee General Assembly to address the inadequacies of Tennessee's hate crimes statute in Tennessee Code Annotated 40-35-114 (23), as soon as they reconvene in January. This should include adding "gender identity or expression" to the language. It is also time for the United States Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.

We also wish to extend our condolences to the other family members of the child who lost her life so senselessly this week.

(c)2008 Out & About Newspaper
All Rights Reserved

Nation's African-American Civil Rights Groups Denounce Beating of Transgender Woman

TransGriot Note: Thanks NBJC! ;)

WASHINGTON, DC --The nation's most influential African-American civil rights organizations have joined together to denounce the beating of a transgender women by Memphis, TN police and has also called for an investigation and prosecution of the officers involved.

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), America's only nationwide Black civil rights organization focused upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues is joined by the Black Leadership Forum (BLF), an alliance of over thirty national African-American civil rights and social service organizations in denouncing the incident.

In an historic move, NBJC reached out to BLF member organizations which include the NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, National Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, 100 Black Men, Inc., and several others to join forces to stand for equality and against discrimination and hatred toward ALL African-Americans.

A newly released tape shows that on February 12, 2008 at least two police officers were involved in the horrific act of physically assaulting Duanna Johnson while she was being held in the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. Johnson, a transgender woman had been arrested on a charge of prostitution.

"What we saw on the video was disturbing. When those who have been sworn to protect us abuse their scared duty our justice system must respond," said NBJC CEO H. Alexander Robinson. "It appears that not only did an officer use unnecessary force to brutalize Ms. Johnson he did so as other officers looked on. "While being called names such as "faggot" and "he-she", surveillance video show an officer walk over and hit Johnson in the face several times while having handcuffs wrapped around his knuckles and another officer holding her down as she tried to protect herself from the punches.

Video of the attack can be seen at: http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=8515744

We are deeply troubled by the continuing pattern of incidents across the country –hate crimes, police misconduct, and racial intimidation – that are all-too-often tolerated and ignored by local law enforcement officials and courts. Moreover, despite significant progress in the treatment of LGBT people, the targeting of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals for police abuse and misconduct remains a persistent and widespread problem in the US. People of color communities comprise of at least 36% of victims and survivors of anti-LGBT related crimes in America, according to the National Coalition of anti-violence programs.

When faced with the abuse of individual civil rights we look to our local police departments not only to guarantee that those engaging in such actions are held accountable for their behavior, but to send a distinct message from the highest levels of government that such conduct has no place in our American society. Swift and firm action will demonstrate that our hard-fought federal civil rights laws are not mere empty promises, but will be strictly enforced to guarantee all Americans the full and equal protection of our nation's laws.

The National Black Justice Coalition - America 's only nationwide Black civil rights organization focused upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

The Black Leadership Forum - An alliance of over thirty national African-American civil rights and social service organizations in denouncing the incident