Rolling for Newark (for Gwen Araujo)

a memorial to Gwen (Eddie) Araujo, who was brutally killed at the age of 17 by 3 angry men at a party, then buried far away in a shallow grave. She is one of a long line of transgender* people who have been murdered. This is a one minute documentary I shot about the wake held at the high school, and the cultural millieu such stories nest in, what we think is important...the woman speaking is Gwen's mom, Sylvia Guererro. The woman at her side is Gloria Allred, famed lawyer, and family of the deceased all around. The 'angels' had costumes made for the event, which coincided with the high school's production of "The Laramie Project", the play about Matthew Shepard premiering inside. The press sent probably dozens of camera folk and they got their soundbite, I taped all night and it was a somber and sadly beautiful occasion, with quiet people standing in the rain and holding candles, Speakers and a band of kids that sang a great song about different people. The Stones were playing at the ballpark that night and the next. I was on the street in San Francisco the next night and taking pictures of the bay- a large picture of the Stones was in the way so these shots and music were recorded far outside the ballpark in public airspace. I dig the Stones and wasn't dissing them, just challenging what is "news". When I got up Sunday, it turned out the paper had chosen the two events I had taped as the 'People' headliners of the weekend- This was winter 2002. I went because I was very sad for the victim in this case. This was one of many events in memory of the slain teenager. I wrote one of the first internet essays on the case and watched my blog go to the top 100 in the country according to hitbox- looking deeper a lot of the attention was from people wanting more pix of Eddie Gwen and their searches revealed they were looking for any "trans" pictures...every year, though, more real stories come out to help folks understand and accept TGs...sorry I said transgendered in the film- as nancy nangeroni said on gendertalk radio, "you are not "gayed", or straighted" neither can u be transgendered" to paraphrase a bit... I made this as an assignment for video editing class and plan to work on a long version next year. I'll soon be posting a video i did on "Transgender day of Remembrance" that same season...Gwen was very much a topic at the annual event in San Francisco. Thanks for watching, and reading. Also see my video, "Day of Remembrance"- Gwen's case was not so uncommon. Peace.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• GwenAraujo
• Transgender
• Documentary
• RollingStones

[steadybeau]

R.I.P. Gwen. Too bad I couldn't have been there to protect you. If I ever see someone attack gay people or transgendered people, I will beat the living shit out of them.

[lylak666]

My best friend is a trans, he was born a guy but feels like he should have been a girl. When everyone else was afraid to know him, i actually took the time to talk with him, and now we are the bestest of friends. Ive seen what he goes through and it pisses me off, people these days just dont know how to respect others and there decisions. If anyone hurt my friend the way these assholes did to gwen, god be with them, cause i would be against them. Trans people have my respect.

[LoveRants4u]

Why does it say "slain gay"? Not all trans are gay.

[DAVIDDOVE50]

i know if i had been there, she would have been my friend for sure. and i would've helped in any way possible. may GWEN R.I.P. and may GOD bless her family :)

[Angelbutterfly1515]

@elrecuento You know I don't know if you heard of the band tokio hotel but I am there fan and they are just an awesome band , but like they are saying the haters are saying the singer is Bill its his name that he is gay -Why he put's make up on eye make up and you should check them out you will see what I am talking about, but anyway he is not gay and I can't stand people making problems and hating and the killing it sickens me to know end :-(

[Angelbutterfly1515]

@steadybeau God made us all different and Gwen when I saw the story on life time my heart broke, too much hate in the world and I am pro-life and I believe that murder is wrong-for unborn baby's and for anyone that is being killed when all they want is to live and belong and get along.Anyway Happy new years .

[elrecuento]

i feel like Eddie's mom said, he should have been honest about his sexuality. he should not have tricked them. but they should not have killed him . that is terrible and it's so sad. i understand why he woldnt sayhe was a boy. i wish they would have done something to the girl that set eddie up.

[elocho4life]

hi krystal

[commonteri]

Very sad about Gwen. I have a song I wrote with her in mind called "feminine heart". It tells the story of a trans woman's death. Being an Hendrix fan you might also appreciate my Little Wing cover. I don't try to immitate other artist's styles so don't expect that if you do. It's just my own interpretation of a clasic song.

As for being trans? Well I think people are starting to open their minds a bit more. Let's hope we start seeing less of these types of tragedies.

[MySerpentine]

Humankind-the best and worst is there.