Reportback from MPD Open House

This past Tuesday, DCTC members attended an Open House with the Metropolitan Police Department, hosted by the Mayor’s Office on GLBT Affairs, to discuss recent changes in their Special Liason Units (see here for more details on the changes to the SLUs). A large number of individuals and representatives from a variety of LGBT organizations attended, and the atmosphere of the meeting was largely antagonistic. Community members raised well-founded concerns regarding the new model for the SLUs and voiced some of their own difficulties when interacting with openly homophobic/transphobic police officers. In DCTC’s view, most of our questions were met with insufficient and vague responses, with little firm commitment to address or respond to our concerns.

We are left wondering whether replacing GLLU with a 3-day, optional training for a few dozen field officers is indeed actually an “expansion” of the GLLU (as MPD claims) or a means of decreasing what little community accountability exists within MPD. Specifically, DCTC and our allies are worried that MPD is not training their officers in how to deal with trans people. When asked how the new GLLU-model will address these problems in the larger MPD, Assistant Chief Diane Groomes (who represented MPD at the meeting) did not offer any concrete plans to address the issue of rampant harassment of trans women by MPD officers. Most community members in attendance seemed to agree that the new model of GLLU could make it more difficult to report instances of hate violence, whether perpetrated by MPD or from others.

Stay tuned for more info in our ongoing campaign to hold police accountable and decrease State-sanctioned violence against trans and gender nonconforming people in DC!

Our Statement for the 2009 Trans Day of Remembrance

Please distribute this widely! Available online at http://www.dctranscoalition.org.

DC TRANS COALITION

For Immediate Release
November 8, 2009
Contact: Sadie Ryanne Baker
(202) 557-1951

The DC Trans Coalition Commemorates the 2009 Trans Day of Remembrance

Washington, DC – In recent months, a lot of us in DC were deeply affected by the murder of Ty’lia Mack, a trans woman who was stabbed along with a friend only a few blocks from the offices of Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc. Many of us at the DC Trans Coalition are survivors of violence ourselves, or are close to someone who is. We now approach the annual Trans Day of Remembrance, a time of emotional ceremonies when we come together with our friends and allies to remember the hundreds of fallen transsexual, transgender and gender nonconforming people all across the world.

Our communities are faced with violence all of the time – and it is not only the kind that comes from bigots who follow us on the street. It can also come from the threat of homelessness and job loss, disproportional rates of poverty and HIV infection, bullying in schools, or denial of access to health care or public facilities like restrooms.

To help curb this violence, sometimes we rely on police and laws like the Human Rights Act here in DC. Calling the police can be important if we are in the kinds of unsafe situations that are all-too-familiar for many trans/GNC people. However, involving the police is not a viable option for many people in our communities. A lack of consistent identity documents, fear of prejudiced and hateful officers and other factors can create complicated problems when interacting with police. Thankfully, in DC we have fought for policies to reduce these problems. We strongly encourage anyone who lives in, works in or visits DC to become familiar with these rights and what to do if they are violated. But even with these strong protections on paper, police harassment on the street and the threat of being arrested and sent to jail remains a constant problem for many.

As the city cuts the budgets of social service programs like THE that help the most vulnerable, and the police enact “tough on crime” policies like the Prostitution Free Zones that result in massive arrest rates for those of us who live in the most precarious economic situations, we need to look at the institutional problems that create and fuel all this violence against us. Trans/GNC people are not only made targets of violence because of blatantly transphobic prejudice. For example, we must also deal with racism, the criminalization of sex workers and the collapsing economy. We need to address all of the complex reasons why so many people in our communities are poor, on the street or constantly going through the jail in order to understand why so many trans/GNC people end up victims or survivors of violence.

Recently, the Obama Administration signed the trans-inclusive Matthew Shepard/James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. Within DCTC, we have a diverse range of opinions on hate crimes legislation, but we agree that it is important to acknowledge the limitations and flaws of the criminal justice system as it is. As folks who have worked hard to reduce problems for trans/GNC people with police and in jail, we know jails themselves can be dangerous places for trans/GNC people. They also fuel vast racial and class inequalities. (In DC,for example, only 2% of our jail population is white.) So while it is exciting to see elected officials taking action to address the very real problem of hate violence targeting trans/GNC people, we hope that more people begin to have productive dialogs and think critically about strategies to address and prevent violence within our communities.

Relying on harsher penalties for bias-motivated crimes alone cannot keep us safe. While recognizing that sometimes we need to use them for our safety, we need to think about ways to decrease our societies’ over-reliance on police and jails as the only solution. This over-reliance on incarceration disproportionately harms marginalized communities like trans/GNC people. Even as DCTC works hard to make sure we enforce policies that will keep people as safe as possible on the streets and in jail, we also want to find solutions that keep people from going to jail in the first place. We hope that someday we might live in a world where we are put in unsafe situations less to begin with. That’s why, for example, we also have fought to make sure that trans/GNC folks can obtain legal documents that reflect the way we live, to make sure homeless shelters place trans/GNC people where they want to be, or to keep funding for vital social services.

The week leading up to TDOR has been declared the Trans Week of Awareness by some of our allies in Massachusetts. While we need to commemorate our dead, remembering the fallen is not enough to bring change toward a safer world. We also need to focus on preventing violence by educating those around us, to make them aware that trans/GNC people are their friends, partners, family, co-workers and community members and that we deserve rights and protection just like they do. We at DCTC join with others to mark this Week of Awareness, and ask everyone to spread the word about the need to end transphobia and work toward gender self-determination.

If you are in DC, we invite you to join Transgender Health Empowerment and other groups at 6:30 PM on Friday, November the 20th at the Metropolitan Community Church (474 Ridge St. NW) for the annual Day of Remembrance ceremony. This year, let’s mourn our losses, but also celebrate our victories, our shared commitment to social justice and to building a world in which all forms of violence are things of the past. In the meantime, we would like to commemorate the strong communities we’ve built to support one another through hard times, and we invite all who are interested to join us in organizing for a safer DC, or wherever you find yourselves this Day of Remembrance.

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The DC Trans Coalition (DCTC) is a grassroots community-based organization dedicated to fighting for the human rights, dignity and equal access for transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming people in the District of Columbia.

DCTC Responds to Recent Violence in Our Community

DC TRANS COALITION

For Immediate Release
August 28, 2009
Contact:  Sadie Ryanne Baker
(202) 557-1951

DC Trans Coalition Mourns Loss After Brutal Stabbing of Two Transgender Women

Group Demands Respect and Dignity from Police and Media Correspondents

Washington, DC – The DC Trans Coalition (DCTC) joins with our friends, family and community to mourn the loss of a 21-year-old transgender woman, Tyli’a “NaNa Boo” Mack, who was horrifically stabbed on the afternoon of August 26th, 2009. She died in the 200 block of Q Street in northwest Washington, DC, while a second transgender woman was rushed to Washington Hospital Center, where she remains in critical condition.

The incident took place close to the offices of Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc (THE) and reminds us that the lives, health and safety of transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming people are under siege by hate and ignorance.  Attacks such as this one threaten our entire community.

DCTC also calls on the media and the Metropolitan Police Department to be more respectful of the lives and identities of these women and the broader trans community.  Too many times, police and media correspondents have failed to accurately identify and respect the gender identities of trans people, in spite of the commonly accepted Associated Press guidelines that clearly state that reporters should use pronouns and names in accordance with the individual’s identity. This disrespect only perpetuates the ignorance that so often fuels verbal harassment and physical violence.  Here in DC, we remind the MPD to adhere to its own regulations found in General Order 501:02 “Handling Interactions With Transgender Individuals”, signed by Chief Cathy Lanier in 2007.

As we continue the difficult work of improving the lives of trans people here in the District, we stand in somber solidarity with our community at this time of tragedy. Moments such as these, when we are reminded of the poverty, violence and degradation faced by so many, reinforce the desperate urgency of confronting anti-trans discrimination in all forms.

It also reminds us of the need to stand as a united community against violence. The DCTC will continue working to change policies that affect our community and ensure that organizations, like THE, can provide their vital programs and services in the hopes that one day, none of us will be forced to fear for our lives.

Community members are invited to attend a vigil for the victims, hosted by THE, at the site of the attack – 209 Q Street, NW – at 6:30pm on Friday, August 28.

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The DC Trans Coalition (DCTC) is a grassroots community-based organization dedicated to fighting for the human rights, dignity and equal access for transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming people in the District of Columbia.

Community Mourns; Vigil Tomorrow, Aug. 28th

From Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc:

Good morning,

I am sure most of you have heard of the double stabbing that happened on last night here in NW DC near the offices of T.H.E. One young lady only 21 years old, a client of T.H.E’s and HIPS Joshua Mack known to us a “Na Na Boo” was killed. In response to this attack T.H.E. is in the process of organizing a candlelight vigil to be held tomorrow night at 6:30pm at the site of the incident 209 Q ST NW. We are asking that all community members come out to show their support and condemn this recent violence and urge the community to come forward with any leads. The police are offering a $25,000 reward in this case. Please spread the word. Thank you

Brian P. Watson,

Director of Programs,
Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc
1414 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 636-1646 ext 104 Phone
(202) 636-1649 Fax
(202) 904-9969 Cell

Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc.

1414 N. Capitol St, NW
Washington, DC 20002

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     CONTACT: Brian Watson

Washington, DC – August 27, 2009             (202) 904-9969

STABBING OF TRANSGENDER FRIENDS ON Q STREET TRAGIC EXAMPLE OF HATE AND DISCRIMINATION

Statement of Anthony Hall, Executive Director

Transgender Health Empowerment (T.H.E), on behalf of T.H.E. Board, Staff and Clients

“Transgender Health Empowerment of Washington is appalled, sickened and saddened by the tragic stabbing of two transgender women on the night of August 26^th in the Q Street corridor of Northwest Washington, D.C. One of the women, Tyli’a “NaNa Boo” Mack, died at the scene and as of the writing of this release the second woman is listed in critical condition at Washington Hospital Center. Tyli’a “NaNa Boo” Mack was 21 years of age.

“As our organization strives to enhance the quality of life of the diverse transgender populations throughout the Metro Washington, D.C. area we are too often reminded that even our basic right to life without hate and the threat of violence and even death is in constant jeopardy.

“As members of the Transgender community we are too well aware of the mental and physical effects of threats and violence. The violent attack on August 26th is one in a long string of violence against transgender people in Metro D.C. area. While some call for us to remain hidden or anonymous because of their prejudice, T.H.E. is one of the few transgender service providers in the Washington area with a client base that continues to grow and to seek our help.

“This act of extreme violence comes at a time when District budget cuts threaten to severely deplete our organizations funds. However our resolve remains. We are committed to a continued provision of supportive housing, health guidance, disease prevention awareness, and other related programs that positively impact the lives of our diverse populations in Washington.

“Transgender Health Empowerment extends its heartfelt condolences to all those in our community affected by the loss of Tyli’a “NaNa Boo” Mack and the severe injury of her friend. The members and Board of T.H.E. continue to believe that we are all members of the same family…….the human family and we will continue to act accordingly.”

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About Transgender Health Empowerment (T.H.E.): The mission of T.H.E. Inc. is to enhance the quality of life of the diverse transgender populations we serve by advocating for and supporting a continuum of health and social services. In fulfilling our mission, we seek to unify and empower the transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities.

Trans woman dead after two stabbed near T.H.E.

http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=26915

Trans woman dead after double stabbing
D.C. police unsure of motive, details

By LOU CHIBBARO JR, Washington Blade
Aug 26 2009, 7:06 PM

One transgender woman was stabbed to death Wednesday and another was in stable condition with stab wounds from an unknown assailant following an incident along the 200 block of Q Street, N.W., according to sources.

A police spokesperson said the incident occurred between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier, who spoke at the scene, told reporters that investigators were looking for nearby residents who might have witnessed the stabbings. She referred to the victims as “persons” and declined to disclose their gender.

A police spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny that the victims were transgender.

Lanier said investigators did not immediately know the motive behind the stabbings.

A law enforcement source described the victims as male-to-female transgender people, with one believed to be 18 years old and the other believed to be 27.

The stabbings occurred about two blocks from the North Capitol Street offices of Transgender Health Empowerment, a private social services group that provides drop-in services to transgender people, including transgender youth.