The brutal murders of trans women simply do not let up. Recently, we have seen the murder of Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar in New York, and, just a few days ago, the beheading of a trans woman in Chihuahua, Mexico (links: Planetransgender and bird of paradox). There have possibly even been others since then.
These murders generally consist of more than just the force necessary to kill. They often involve extreme and excessive violence and mutilation, such as the beheading in Mexico, which reports say was probably committed while the woman was alive, because her eyes were open in terror. Her head was found a mile from her body.
This is a community under siege, and any person of conscience, regardless of how that person feels about trans people, should be angry, sickened, and outraged.
Any person of conscience, regardless of how that person feels about trans people, should recognize that the prejudice and discrimination against the trans community, which includes our relegation to second-class (less than human) status with regard to rights in many countries, including the United States, is a primary reason for this overwhelming and undeserved hatred and rage.
And any person of conscience, regardless of how that person feels about trans people, should do whatever he or she can to end the underlying causes of these unspeakable acts.
No one should live in constant fear and terror. No one should be subjected to this type of violence. And no one should have to suffer the psychological battery that occurs when a trans woman opens the newspaper every day and sees people like herself slain on the streets and in their homes. And any person of conscience, regardless of how that person feels about trans people, knows this in his or her heart.
This has to stop, and people of conscience, trans and non-trans, must join together in order for that to happen.
Comments
This is one reason it is very important to get ENDA passed here in the US. This will help show people that transgender folks have the same rights as everyone else does. Back in the days where blacks were horribly discriminated against the hate violence against this group of people was overwhelming. As time went on and rights were rightfully given the public's opinion's changed. We need this for the Transgender community as well!
Dana while I agree with you in part, I also believe that individuals need to limit risk-taking behaviors; need to be more aware of their surroundings; and need to travel in groups rather than alone. Transgender women are more vulnerable when alone and unable to call for help and defend themselves. These measures can help people alive today!
From the pulpit, or bullpit
The holy men of god……… doesn’t that sound touching…… till they start talking murder from the pulpit, I a transgender has been mentioned by name from the pulpit of a Pentecostal cult preacher, and this two faced little worm even ate from my table. But the only person that had the intelligence and enough backbone to say this is wrong is a young lady. The rest are mice that follow the pied piper. It was reported to me that this so called man of god wants to “shoot me in the f_ckin head”…. Called me a fagot and all sorts of colorful metaphors, he turned me into a full sermon. Now who would want to do something like that to baby? I stay in my own business and out of everyone else’s, I even tell them I don’t want to know their business.
To funny, now I must say I don’t think preach boy has the spine to shoot but one of the pipers mice just might, he has one that spends the night quite often, oh I’m sure they are just reading the gospel….. Ha ha. I believe preacher boy has soapy water running through this guys ears, and it probably flows unrestricted.
jennifer rose
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