Let's help

[The Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Bionca

The trial for Angie Zapata is under way. The story is horrific and all too common. You can read an article about the trial here.

Show your support for a lost sister.

Angie was killed by an intimate partner who clames that she did not disclose her status as a trans*woman. He claims that after spending the night with her he suspected she may have "been a man". He grabbed her crotch and beat her to (he thought) death. While removing implicating evidence, swiping her car keys and credit card, Angie gurgled and started to sit up. He then took a fire extinguisher and killed her.

He later told his girl-friend that "gay things need to die" and "I had to kill it".

Personally, I'm sick of the assumption that Angie tricked him into anything. Thus far this is what the defense is using to get a lesser charge conviction. Using the "gay panic" defense unfortunately works very well - even in cases where the murderer had prior knowledge of a woman's status and a history of dating trans*women.

This story hits close to home. This may be just another sad event to most of you. But, for me and gals like me this the the fear we have every time a date actually decides not to bail out on us. True or not, there is a real assumption among Trans*women that guys can have sex with us, feel guilty/disgusted with this new event, murder us and get a pitifully short sentence (if they are even caught and convicted).

A similar thing happened to a girl named Gwen Araujo that I went to the same school with. She was dating some preppy douchebag type when he found out that she was not a genetic girl, him and his friends strangled her and beat her to death with a shovel. They got charged with second degree murder and for the most part got off with a light sentence.

I think it would behoove many transwomen to arm themselves with either a gun, a taser or a knife. Not too many people are as open minded to transsexualism and until transwomen are able to date without fear of retribution, it would definetly help to be packin' heat. Tasers can be had quite easily and do not require a concealed carry permit. Tasers will put down the most indignant characters without the hassle of a gory exit wound and blood spatter and can be taken in most places where it might be a felony to bring a pistol. Knives are cheap and depending on the length of blade, they can be used as a Less-Lethal or lethal alternative(cut tendons vs. cut artery)

The point that I am trying to make is that all the ladies(if you haven't already)need to get away from the victim mentality and give serious consideration to your personal security. Don't become a crime statistic!!!

[Bionca]

While I agree with you Postman - and I know my way around both a gun and my fists/legs/feet/fingers/elbows - being armed and aware didn't really help me out when I was assaulted.

Along with education and empowerment for trans*women, there does need to be a clear message that our deaths are not less important and the fact we may be sexually active does not mean we are deceptive (ie get partially blamed when we are attacked).

[The Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Bionca

Along with education and empowerment for trans*women, there does need to be a clear message that our deaths are not less important and the fact we may be sexually active does not mean we are deceptive (ie get partially blamed when we are attacked).

Transsexuals are people too!

Damn right!

[Amy]

I've said before we need to get the people here to put their money where their mouths are, so to speak. If you really care about us, campaigning for our rights is a damn good place to show it. One of my friends just got some horrible treatment in a bar recently, and this sort of shit just gets me so angry with our society...

[Bionca]

Originally Posted by Amy

I've said before we need to get the people here to put their money where their mouths are, so to speak. If you really care about us, campaigning for our rights is a damn good place to show it. One of my friends just got some horrible treatment in a bar recently, and this sort of shit just gets me so angry with our society...

Sorry about your friend

Bars are like a mine field for me. I think I'm the only woman in the world sometimes who dreads having a drink bought for her by a stranger.

That said, I tried to get some support going for something a tad more important than jerking off or discussing cock. I'm disappointed - but not overly surprised.

[transjen]

It will take more then just asking for equal rights, The laws really don't need changing people do, You can pass all the laws you want but some people don't care about laws they see a Tgirl and think they are less then human and there for beating us or worse is fine and in there rights and we have no rights because we are less then human. I was always pushed around and picked on as a kid so i'm kinda use to the hateward of others like i said people need to change Jennifer