Attacks against Transgenders spark Community Rally in Jackson Heights, Queens

Possibly over one hundred people showed up to support a rally in Jackson Heights, Queens last Sunday, in protest of attacks against two transwomen in Queens.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2009/07/24/2009-07-24_after_recent...

Leslie Mora was attacked on June 19, 2009, in Jackson Heights and beaten with belt buckles -- suffering wounds on her scalp and legs.

Carmella Etienne was attacked on July 8, 2009, in St. Albans with rocks and bottles -- and suffered a major gash on her leg. Attackers even threatened to slash her throat.

Transgenders in New York are waiting for the New York State Senate to pass legislation to stop the violence. Twice the New York State Assembly has passed a proposed law called the Gender Non-Discrimination Act (or GENDA), only to see it get stalled in the State Senate.

The rally was organized by the following groups:

* New York Trans Rights Organization (NYTRO)
* Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
* Astorians United Against Hate Crimes
* Campaign to Stop the False Arrests
* Civil Marriage Trail Project
* Civil Rights Front
* Democracy for New York City (DFNYC)
* Dignity NY
* Integrity NYC (iNYC)
* ISO (International Socialist Organization)
* Lesbian & Gay Democratic Club of Queens (LGDCQ)
* Make the Road NY
* Metropolitan Community Church NY (MCCNY)
* OUT Astoria
* PRYDE (Proud Righteous Youth Demanding Equality)
* Queens County Young Democrats
* Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee (QLGPC)
* Queens Pride House
* St. Pats for All, Sunnyside
* Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC (SDNYC)
* West Queens Greens
* Western Queens for Marriage Equality

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Music Credit: Excerpt from "Réveiller Le Monde" by Mylène Farmer.

~FAIR USE COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER~
Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All other original content copyright 2009 by Louis Flores. All rights reserved.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Leslie Mora
• Carmella Etienne
• Melissa Sklarz
• Brendan Fay
• Spirit of Harvey Milk
• Sassafras Lowery
• Queens Pride House
• Daniel Dromm
• Andy Humm
• Robert Pinter
• Eric Gioia
• Jennifer Ramirez
• Anti-Violence Project
• Deirdre Feerick
• GENDA
• Hate Crimes
• LGBT
• transgender
• Joann Prinzivalli

[hojofan]

Thanks for uploading this video astoria25 -- I have a relative that's (male to female) transgender. All people regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, etc...should be able to walk the streets and not have to worry about being attacked or harrassed. Civil rights and equal rights for everyone!!! Absolutely!! 5 stars!! Peace2U, Kim

[astoria25]

Thanks for your kind comments. We are all created equal, and we have to band together to create change in society.

[lloydbaltazar]

EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW!

[astoria25]

I agree. The Constitution doesn't say civil rights or equal rights to "some people." Civil rights and equal rights are for EVERYBODY !

The NYS Senate must pass GENDA now !!

[dragonking17]

I hope genda gets passed. I would like to travel and not have to fear being attacked.

[astoria25]

To paraphrase what Eric Gioia said at the rally, it is time that we say that EVERYBODY has equal protection under the law.

[eternallypre]

Wow. Thanks for uploading this. It's wonderful to see such an outpouring of support for trans issues, yet bittersweet that it had to be prompted by attacks against people.

[darkfire2you]

Never be afraid those who cause pain are cowards