Anti-Transgender Murders Update

This is the current list of anti-transgender murders since the 2004 Transgender Day of Remembrance, held on November 20th.  At current, this lists fifteen cases, six of which were in the United States. One other case is being investigated in Argentina, and will be added if necessary. Additional reports of police abuse of transgender people in Brazil, Nepal, and Turkey are being watched, as is the Lodi, California missing person case involving Alicia Sandoval (aka Ofelia Santoyo).

If you know of a case not listed below that happened after November 20, 2004 -- or of any case not listed at www.rememberingourdead.org, please contact Gwen Smith at gwen@gwensmith.com

Unnamed transwoman
Location: Surco, Peru
Cause of Death: Incinerated
Date of Death: November 26, 2004
Source: Groupe Activiste Trans
Notes: Witnesses report seeing four people dropping the victim's body out of their car, then setting her body on fire.

Luana
Location: Migliarino, Italy
Cause of Death: Shot in the back of the head
Date of Death: December 3, 2004
Source: Source: Il Tirreno, December 5, 2004

Penny Port
Location: Sheffield, England
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Death: December 19, 2004
Source: Source: 365Gay.com, December 28, 2004

C. Hernández
Location: Mendoza, Argentina
Cause of Death: Stabbed multiple times, allegedly by Pablo Corvalán
Date of Death: December 20, 2004
Source: Asociacion Travesits Transexuales Transgénero Argentina

Felicia Moreno
Location: Hollywood, California
Cause of Death: Shot twice by Patrick Edward Vallor
Date of Death: December 26, 2004
Source: The Desert Sun, December 28th, 2004
Notes: Her murderer, a Active-Duty U.S. Marine lance corporal named Patrick Edward Vallor, was shot and killed after a standoff with police.

Ryan Shey Hoskie
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cause of Death: Undetermined; body did show signs of upper body trauma.
Date of Death: December 27, 2004
Source: Albuquerque Tribune, January 8, 2005
Notes: If you have any information on this murder, please call the Albuquerque Police Department at (505) 843-STOP.

Unnamed transwoman
Location: Paraná, Argentina
Cause of Death: Murdered
Date of Death: January 12, 2005
Source: Asociacion Travesits Transexuales Transgénero Argentina

Unnamed transwoman
Location: Neuquen, Argentina
Cause of Death: Murdered
Date of Death: February 22, 2005
Source: Asociacion Travesits Transexuales Transgénero Argentina

Karlien Carstens
Location: Okahandja, Namibia
Cause of Death: Strangled
Date of Death: February 16, 2005
Source: Afrol News, February 16, 2005
Notes: Eyewitnesses at the scene said that Carstens was tied up with cords cut off of electrical appliances, with one cord tied tightly around her neck.

Eddie Chung Chou Lee
Location: Daly City, California
Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds
Date of Death: March 1, 2005
Source: San Mateo County Times, March 1, 2005
Notes: If you have any information on this murder, please call Detective Boffi at (650) 991-8170 or Detective Cisneros at (650) 991-8173.

Phool Chand Yadav
Location: Lucknow, India
Cause of Death: Murdered
Date of Death: March 17, 2005
Source: Hindustan Times, March 18, 2005
Notes: Once Yadav's murderers discovered that he was biologically female, he was raped and murdered.

Alejandra Galicio
Location: Bahia Blanca, Argentina
Cause of Death: Beaten to death
Date of Death: April 12, 2005
Source: Coordinación Nacional por los Derechos de la Diversidad Sexual

Ashley Nickson
Location: Dothan, Alabama
Cause of Death: Shot multiple times, allegedly by Steven Antonio Kyles
Date of Death: May 1, 2005
Source: WTVY, May 3, 2005
Notes: If you have any information on this murder, please contact the Dothan Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at (334) 615-3632, CRIMESTOPPERS at (334) 793-7000, or e-mail the police at DPD@dothan.org. After hours, please leave a message at (334) 615-3631.

Amancio "Delilah" Corrales
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Cause of Death: Violent trauma
Date of Death: May 6, 2005
Source: Yuma Sun, May 7, 2005
Notes: If you have any information on this murder, please contact lead Detective Raul Garcia at (928) 783-4427.

Timothy Blair Jr.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Cause of Death: Shot multiple times
Date of Death: May 22, 2005
Source: Louisville Courier-Journal, May 23, 2005
Notes: If you have any information on this murder, please contact Louisville Metro Police spokesman at (502) 574-LMPD.

Transgender Pride Awards

SF TEAM Announces:

The 2nd Bi-Annual Transgender Pride Awards

To be held at:
The San Francisco LGBT Center
on Monday, June 20, 2005.
 
Let’s come together to appreciate those who have committed themselves to improving the lives of transgendered people!
Spend some time with your community and enjoy a complimentary buffet during TransPride week!
 
But first we need nominees!
There will be a total of 3 awards presented:
The nomination criteria for the awards:

1. We are seeking nominations in order to recognize
   trans individuals who have provided leadership and/or demonstrated excellence in any three of the following areas:
   TG community consciousness raising
   Raising awareness of TG issues
   Educating others about TG community
   Advocacy and or activism on behalf of the community
   TG community empowerment
   Raising community visibility
   Promoting equality
   Liberation activities
    
2. We are also seeking nominations for one trans ally
   (non trans-identified) meeting the same criteria in any three areas:
   TG community consciousness raising
   Raising awareness of TG issues
   Educating others reg. TG community
   Advocacy and or activism on behalf of the community
   TG community empowerment
   Raising community visibility
   Promoting equality
   Liberation activities
    
3. And we are seeking nominations in order to recognize one organization which has demonstrated excellence in the following areas:
   Provision of direct services to the TG community
   Sensitivity and awareness of TG issues
   Respect for the TG community
   TG staff
   TG specific programs
    
   How to nominate for an award:
   Nominations must be in the form of written submission no more than 350 words in length using the standards listed above.
   Please send nominations to one of the following addresses by June 4, 2005:
   Via email: nominate@sfteam.org
   or snail mail: TG Awards c/o JoAnne Keatley,
   1145 Bush Street, 2nd Floor, SF, CA 94109

Male Pregnancy?

Male Pregnancy Now an Option, Beijing Surgeon Says Doctor Chen Huanran is looking for a few good men -- to get pregnant.

http://www.china.org.cn/english/2002/May/33452.htm

The Beijing doctor -- one of China's most-prominent sex change surgeons -- says he has developed the technology to impregnate a man, and now he wants to use his technique to help his transsexual patients have children of their own.

If successful, it would be the first time ever that a male human has become pregnant, with the possible exception of the Arnold Schwartzenager movie "Junior."

Chen, who works at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said he has already lined up four men for the procedure and an Internet discussion of his "male mother" project has caused hundreds of men around the country to volunteer for swollen ankles, morning sickness and the many other joys of pregnancy.

"We want to help the transsexuals we operate on to realize their basic right of delivering a baby," Chen said yesterday.

The doctor said he plans to start the program next year, but it is still unclear what government departments he would need to obtain permission from before beginning his historic project.

He began working on the idea of impregnating a man about 10 years ago after many of his sex-change patients expressed a wish to have their own children. Transsexuals will be the first beneficiaries of the technique, he said, but he also wants to help men whose wives can't have kids due to illness or sterility.

"Since delivering children is women's duty and right, male pregnancy not only imposes extra dangers, but also arouses new social problems," he stressed.

While the rules and ethics are unclear, Chen said the technology is ready.

He said the "male mother" will take oral doses of female hormones. Once ready, the patient will then be impregnated by in vitro fertilization, with the embryo implanted into the abdomen cavity just under or into the peritoneum (the surrounding lining).

The pregnancy will take the normal nine months with the delivery done by Caesarean section.

Chen has been recruiting volunteers on the Internet for the project with a message posted at a Website for those that have had or want to have sex changes (www.spscenter.com).

He said all the candidates have a strong desire to have a baby, and are willing to pay the estimated 200,000 yuan (US$24,156) costs of the procedure.

"It is a very serious project. Most probably, I will prefer to choose my patients for the first group," Chen said.

When Chen announced his intention on the Website, he got an earful of responses. About 500 people said they want to be volunteers for the project.

Chen said half of them are normal men, some looking for a novel experience and some want to deliver babies for their wives.

But for the majority of people, Chen's project seems scary.

"Male pregnancy is too ridiculous. It is against human nature," said Zheng Li, a 29-year-old company staff. "If a man wants a child, he can adopt one and leave the human body it is supposed to be."

Even the transsexuals have indifferent attitude toward it.

"Having a baby gives me a great joy and a real feeling of being a woman," said Jin Xing, a 34-year-old dancer undergoing a transsexual operation in 1996. She adopted a boy orphan two years ago and now lives in Shanghai.

"But I won't choose to undergo such a pregnancy process," the dancer said.

Real ID Act and Constituional Rights

Slight of hand
By Avedon Sideshow

Digby has joined our earlier discussion of the freakish confidence with which the Republicans are attempting to destroy any limits on majority party action. He also says the entire filibuster argument may be a red herring:

This isn't a new thing, but like so much else lately in wingnut governance, it was until quite recently a fringe position that nobody took seriously. Indeed, even conservative legal scholars like John Yoo, who is not one would ever call a moderate, disagrees with this interpretation. But, it has clearly gained currency recently. The Senate, for instance, has put forth several more or less symbolic bills that are explicitly exempted from judicial review. There's S. 1558, the "I can put the 10 commandments anywhere I damn well please and judge is going to tell me I can't" Act. And there's S. 2082, the "I can say God told me to do this and no judge can say it's unconstitutional" Act (also known as the "foreign govmint's got
nothin' to do with our laws" Act.) And then there's S 3920 the "two thirds majority can overturn the Supreme Court" Act.

But these have no chance at passage. The "Real ID" bill, however, does. As far as I've been able to ascertain, nobody has ever actually passed and signed a bill that would explicitly exempt legislation from judicial review. This is unprecedented and if it happens it should trigger a constitutional crisis. If congress can pass any laws it wants and declare them exempt from judicial review --- as with the Real ID bill -- and also peremptorily "bar judicially ordered compensation or injunction or other remedy for damages" then our system of checks and balances has been gutted. There will be nothing to stop a majority, particularly if it ends the filibuster, from passing any laws it chooses with a simple majority and exempting all of them from judicial review for constitutionality. In other words, the constitution says what the majority says it says.

Which would pretty much mean we don't need a constitution, since mob rule would work just fine!

Murder of a Transgender Teen - Second Trial Opens

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact:
Gwen Smith
gwen@gwensmith.com

Ethan St. Pierre
Transfriendly@aol.com


SECOND ARAUJO TRIAL OPENS
Group urges media to avoid sensationalism, use legal name

HAYWARD, Calif., May 9, 2005 - The second trial in the death of transgender teenager Gwen Araujo opens today in Hayward, California. The Remembering Our Dead Project has asked members of the media to avoid sensationalizing this case, urging them to show respect and sensitivity towards the victim.

"Let's not forget that it is the defendants that are on trial, not Gwen Araujo," said Remembering Our Dead Project founder, Gwen Smith. "Too often she is blamed for her own death -- just for being herself."

Gwen Araujo was killed at a house party in Newark, California on October 3rd, 2002, after a third party revealed Araujo's birth gender. In 2004, the jury deadlocked on the sentence for defendants Jose Merel, Michael Magidson, and Jason Cazares, with the latter of the three achieving bail after the trial. A fourth suspect, Jaron Nabors, pled guilty to manslaughter charges, and testified against the other three.

The issue of what name to call Gwen Araujo has also been a sore spot for both the family and transgender activists, angry that the media continues to refer to Gwen by her birth name. This came to a head last Summer, when the teen's name was legally changed to Gwen Amber Rose Araujo.

"After all the family and others have done to preserve Gwen's preferred name, some in the media continue to frame her by her birth name, relegating what is now her legal name to an afterthought," said Mrs. Smith. "There is now no good reason to use her old name."

The Remembering Our Dead project <www.rememberingourdead.org> exists to honor individuals murdered as a result of anti-transgender hatred and prejudice, and draw attention to the issue of anti-transgendered violence. Remembering Our Dead is a project of Gender Education and Advocacy, Inc.

NTAC Prepares For Its Third Lobbying Foray

For Immediate Release: Dated May 7, 2005

From: The National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC)

Chair, Vanessa Edwards Foster; Houston, Texas

Contact Email: ntacmedia@aol.com

media@ntac.org

Contact Phone: 832-483-9901

Website: http://www.ntac.org/

 

 

NTAC Prepares For Its Third Lobbying Foray

 

Transgender activists from all over America will make their way to Capitol Hill, May 19-20, 2005 for the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition's (NTAC) third biannual Lobby Days. The primary objective is to push Congress for passage of inclusive hate crimes prevention and employment equality legislation. As with last year, NTAC will be taking to Capitol Hill along with GenderPAC, and immediately before the Transgender Veterans March to the Memorial Wall sponsored by the Transgendered American Veterans' Association (TAVA).

 

NTAC Lobby Days 2005 also comes on the eve of the debut of "Citizen Lobbyist". The documentary, shot last year by filmmaker Timothy Watts, followed NTAC lobbyists preparing for lobbying, and making visits with lawmakers in Congress. The film will make its public debut on May 21 at the Inside Out Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Toronto.

 

Ethan St. Pierre, vice chair of NTAC's Lobbying Committee has received commitment by the filmmaker to an advance copy of the film to be sneak-previewed during this year's lobbying event.

 

Before visiting Congressional offices, NTAC will hold a plenary session on May 18 at the Marvin Center of George Washington University.

 

"Citizen Lobbyists from across the country will once again visit members of Congress to argue for transgender inclusion in federal legislation," said NTAC Lobbying Committee Chair, Marisa Richmond. "The focus is the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA)," Richmond reported, adding, "the Transgender community continues to face tremendous job discrimination regardless of race, class, or ability, and federal legislation to end this practice is overdue.

 

It is essential to have demonstrably significant numbers of concerned community activists and supporters working together to educate their elected representatives on these vital issues. The need has never been greater.".

Richmond pointed out that "Transgender persons are often the victims of some of the most brutal hate crimes in the nation. We feel that it is time the federal government stepped up to help end it.".

 

Your participation can make a difference, for yourself, your family, and your community. Join other transgender, intersex and gender activists, as well as family, friends, and supporters in pushing for a truly equal America for all citizens. Inaction will not solve the problem of our disparities. Continued action is the path to equality.

 

- 30 -

 

Founded in 1999, NTAC - the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition - is a 501(c)(4) civil rights organization working to establish and maintain the right of all transgendered, intersexed, and gender-variant people to live and work without fear of violence or discrimination.

Annoyed

As predicted, CL has flagged and removed my posting, it took less than an hour for that to happen. I emailed Craig immediately and asked why CL allowed such intolerance. Craig did assure me that he would reinstate the posting but it has been over 8 hours now. So, I reposted my ad and we'll see what will happen...

Will Craig Find Me Love?

Just posted another ad on Craigslist. I haven't been in the dating circuit for over 2 years and my friends all give me the 'looks for horror'.Frankly, CL and I have not been the best match, I have gone out with a few people I met from CL but they are just not my type. Is it a bad thing to desire someone base on his physical apperance? Am I asking too much for someone who is good looking, smart and funny?

Anyway, I have no plan to settle for less.

Intersex Report Released

May 3, 2005

For information contact Marcus Arana at (415) 252-2519 or Larry Brinkin at (415) 252-2510 SAN FRANCISCO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CALLS FOR END TO MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY SURGERY ON INTERSEX CHILDREN Improper Use of Medical Interventions Seen As Human Rights Abuse The San Francisco Human Rights Commission today announced the release of its report A Human Rights Investigation Into The Medical “Normalization” Of Intersex People. The report is the result of a two-year project that investigated concerns expressed by intersex people. The Commission held a public hearing on May 27, 2004 to hear testimony on the issue of “normalizing” medical interventions being performed on intersex infants and children. “Intersex” is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. People with intersex anatomies asked the Commission to explore the question of unwanted, “normalizing” interventions performed on intersex children. “Normalizing” interventions are medically unnecessary genital surgeries and hormone treatments performed on intersex infants and children solely to assign a sex or gender. These procedures also are used to alter genitalia and other physical characteristics so that they conform with social standards for male and female bodies. These interventions are not performed for the treatment of physical illness or to alleviate pain. Instead, these surgeries are irreversible, often causing disruption of bodily functions, pain, and the need for additional surgeries. The historic hearing was the first time that a governmental entity in the US had ever addressed the topic of intersex from a human rights perspective. Commission Chair Malcolm Heinicke said, “We hope that this report will foster a better understanding of the issues facing intersex people and their families. Families should be given the opportunity to make decisions regarding medical procedures with complete information, and not in unnecessary and limiting haste.” Specifically, the Commission became concerned that homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism were strong social forces that contributed to the decision-making process for assigning sex and gender to intersex children through “normalizing” genital surgeries and sex hormone treatments. The report is a summary and compilation of materials, testimony, and information submitted by people with intersex anatomies, parents of children and adults with intersex anatomies, medical providers, academics, legal experts, advocacy groups, representatives of City agencies and departments, and the public. The Commission’s Executive Director Virginia Harmon said “We are grateful to intersex people for bringing these concerns to the Commission’s attention, and for providing the Commission an opportunity to facilitate a dialog between intersex people, their families, and medical providers.” After diligent review of the testimony and medical and academic research materials submitted, the Commission found that “normalizing” interventions are medically unnecessary, are not medical or social emergencies, and that such interventions performed without the patient’s informed consent are inherently human rights abuses. The Commission has recommended that “normalizing” interventions never be performed in infancy or childhood, and that any procedures that are not medically necessary only take place when the patient gives legal consent. The Commission further has recommended that a patient-centered treatment model be implemented, emphasizing peer support, access to information, openness, treating the child as the patient, and honoring a person’s right to make informed choices about their own body. Copies of the report are available online at www.sfhrc.org. VHS Tapes or DVDs of the May 27, 2004 Intersex Public Hearing are available online at http://sunset.ci.sf.ca.us/sfgtv.nsf.

Download Report

A Girl Named Ariella

Every once in a while, I would receive emails that touch my heart and inspire me to do more. The comment below is a gift from a friend. She is a friend that I have not met. She is a very intelligent person and from what she shared in her message, I can see that she has a heart of gold and is destined for greatness. To my new friend, Ariella, I wish you all the best that the world can offer.

 

Name: Ariella
.................
From looking at your site I think that you are a great person.  I think you are a great role model for many people, and you provide hope for many too.  I'm happy for you in that you were able to overcome your problems.  I think that it is fabulous that you spend so much of your time helping others, especially others that are going through the same thing that you went through.  If that is a picture of you at the bottom-right corner of your site then I have to say....you are a very pretty woman.  Yes that is what I believe you are contrary to the beliefs of others.  You know, when I first visited your website I didn't even know what it was about.  I thought it was one of those online diary things.  It was when I started reading the articles on your site that I found out you were a male at birth.  But the word that you used a lot ...transgender.  I don't like that word.  I believe you are truly a woman.  And you seem like such a wonderful person to be around and a great friend.  I think what you are doing is great.  Standing up for gays, transgenders, people with HIV and everything.  Its hard to put the way I feel about you into words.  I am sorry that you're father is having trouble accepting you.  But he is missing out on a lot that's for sure.  I have a gay uncle that is HIV positive and I know that his mother (my grandmother) was far from happy about it.  Her sadness lasted a couple of days.  He is closer to our family now more than ever.  He didn't have problems with his father, because he was never around much.  My grandparents were divorced and my grandfather stayed back in Guatemala.  I just can't imagine what kind of discrimination you face every day of your life.  I guess coming from a Hispanic background I kind of face discrimination.  I guess its not that bad as yours but it hurts.  It hurts to know that people in my future will not like me, hire me for a job because of my background.  But those people are ignorant, and I pity them.  The only think I say that gets on my nerves are the stereo types that people have on Hispanics.  Unfortunately my friend faces even worse discrimination.  He is 14 (or 15 that's horrible that I can't remember his exact age) years old.  By the way I am 14 years old also.  He came out the closet in September of 2004.  I have been friends with him since 6th grade.  I can truly say he is a good friend and a funny one too.  But at school people always talk about him.  They try to talk about him with me.  Some of them even tell me that they cant stand him, because he is gay.  Those people have never spoken a word to him.  How can I help people stop hating on him?  Is there hope for people like that?  Anyway I just wanted to tell you what a great person I think you are.  You truly inspire me to become a better person in all aspects of my life.  Good Luck and I hope you have great long lasting life...You deserve one!