Let's help

[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

[Bionca]

Jen -

Yes and no. Obviously people/society need to change. One of the ways society needs to change is the way trans* peeps are treated by the law. When a trans* person can get sent to the wrong prison simply because the state failed to correct her documentation there is a problem. When rape and domestic violence and homeless shelters can deny services to trans* women there is a problem. When the simple act of using a public restroom becomes up for debate there is a problem.

With the case of violence it becomes even more critical. The abysmal rate in which our attackers are caught, much less convicted is maddening. Even when the attacker is well know to members of the community. When Kelly Telesford (from the UK, so not directly applicable to the US) can be strangled, her last date found with her stolen property on him, can get found not guilty because he implied she was "easy" and into "freaky sex'. There is a problem.

When men who have a history of dating trans* women can kill us and get a "manslaughter" conviction and sentenced to 6 years in jail by claiming "gay panic". There is a problem. When a Trans* woman in DC is left to die in a car accident because the EMTs are too busy making fun of her genitalia. There is a problem. When those same EMTs get a promotion a year later - that is an outrage.

So, yeah people need to change, but a good start is letting folks know that assaulting, raping, murdering us isn't a justifiable act worthy of a mitigated sentence. That firing us from our jobs because we are trans* is not going to be OK. That's where the law comes in. Sometimes you can't depend on the kindness of strangers.