When I speak with people about the inhumane treatment of prisoners, and especially LGBT prisoners, the common response is "Just don't do anything to get thrown in jail." I used to believe this myself, but over time have come to realize that ignores several facts. Here are a few things I never knew before:
It is not unusual when an LGBT person is attacked for them to be arrested. Let me reword that for you: Person A attacks Person B, yet Person B is thrown in jail. Also occasionally known to occur, is that Person A attacks Person B and both Person A and B are thrown in jail.
Not everyone in jail is guilty. This is not only because we are innocent until proven guilty in this country, but also because while they are investigating a crime, people are sometimes placed in jail under SUSPICION and later released. Too few people realize or recognize this.
Although I respect and am grateful for those men and women in blue who are hard working, honest people of integrity, and while there are wonderful law enforcement officers who are open minded, loving, and/or respectful towards people of all genders, the fact is there is transphobia and homophobia running rampant in this country and that does sometimes include police officers.
Thank you Lori for sending in this video which highlights some very important changes needed in the prison system. And one more reason that we need EQUAL RIGHTS and protections under the law for ALL.
Thanks to Mila and Jayna of Trans-Ponder.com for the use of their video!
If you would like to stand up for Equal Rights for ALL, send your video, picture, or words to Humans4Equality@gmail.com and check back daily to find your input here.
Showing posts with label transgender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transgender. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Equali T
Ann O. Nymous:
A young man was walking down the halls of the college dormitory where he lives and works, when anti transgender slurs were screamed out at him. He reported the abuse to his boss and was told to ignore it.
Yesterday he told me, "I am called "Faggot" every day and have gotten used to it, but when they yelled these things which I will not repeat, I was even more hurt." Not because yelling faggot isn't bad, but because they obviously had gone out of their way to specifically target him as he is newly open about transitioning F to M. When he went to his boss to report the verbal attack, he was told it was nothing and to ignore it. When he pointed out that similar slurs against an African American coworker had resulted in the offender being written up and provided with education on why such slurs are wrong, he was told this isn't the same thing, and nothing would be done. His university does have a gender nondiscrimination clause in place which includes protections for gender identity, and I am working with him to help create a safer space for him to live and work through educating his employer and coworkers, but how sad that even in a place which he is supposed to be safe to live, work, and learn he is not protected when he reports the verbal assault.
It is sad also that he would ever grow used to being called "Faggot" whether he identifies as gay or not, no one should have to become numb to either homophobia or transphobia. I can remember the same slur being flung at me when I was a child, sometimes followed by things actually being thrown at me as I walked down the halls at school. I hope we can start to provide safer educational environments for our youth.
PLEASE send in your story, photos, videos, etc. about what rights and protections are needed and why we need equal rights for all to humans4equality@gmail.com and then check back daily, or subscribe to see yourself and your friends photos, videos and stories right here at humans4equality.blogspot.com!
A young man was walking down the halls of the college dormitory where he lives and works, when anti transgender slurs were screamed out at him. He reported the abuse to his boss and was told to ignore it.
Yesterday he told me, "I am called "Faggot" every day and have gotten used to it, but when they yelled these things which I will not repeat, I was even more hurt." Not because yelling faggot isn't bad, but because they obviously had gone out of their way to specifically target him as he is newly open about transitioning F to M. When he went to his boss to report the verbal attack, he was told it was nothing and to ignore it. When he pointed out that similar slurs against an African American coworker had resulted in the offender being written up and provided with education on why such slurs are wrong, he was told this isn't the same thing, and nothing would be done. His university does have a gender nondiscrimination clause in place which includes protections for gender identity, and I am working with him to help create a safer space for him to live and work through educating his employer and coworkers, but how sad that even in a place which he is supposed to be safe to live, work, and learn he is not protected when he reports the verbal assault.
It is sad also that he would ever grow used to being called "Faggot" whether he identifies as gay or not, no one should have to become numb to either homophobia or transphobia. I can remember the same slur being flung at me when I was a child, sometimes followed by things actually being thrown at me as I walked down the halls at school. I hope we can start to provide safer educational environments for our youth.
PLEASE send in your story, photos, videos, etc. about what rights and protections are needed and why we need equal rights for all to humans4equality@gmail.com and then check back daily, or subscribe to see yourself and your friends photos, videos and stories right here at humans4equality.blogspot.com!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Humans for Equality
Let us come together, every one of every nationality, religion, or other background and stand strong as human beings united for equal rights. Come to the table, I'm saving a seat for you!Send your picture or video and any information which you would like posted to humans4equality@gmail.com (and in case your browser couldn't view my email address, it's humans4equality at gmail dot com)
Bill - Phoenix, AZ
Samantha - Phoenix, AZ
Diana - Phoenix, AZ
Sean-Michael - Phoenix, AZ (Laveen)
Michele - Scottsdale, AZ
Billie - Scottsdale, AZ
Toni - Phoenix, AZAll my love, respect and gratitude goes out to these 6 individuals who shared their photos here today. May your passion for equal human rights spread like wildfire!
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