Showing posts with label transgender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transgender. Show all posts

12/6/08

Gainesville Florida gains in Equality Challenged

By kelli Busey
Dec. 06, 2008
planetransgender

Gainesville Florida a city of vision.

A misleading petition campaign which fostered fear of sexual predators is bringing to vote a proposed amendment whether to allow stand equality afforded presently by this cities laws. The petition campaign gathered the necessary votes by expounding on fear of sexual deviants who would for some reason would suddenly care about societies law and and attack woman in bathrooms now all people in Gainesville are allowed equal rights. This cities determination to protect it's citizenry is being brought to a vote on March 24, 2009.

>snip>

According to Gainesville.com Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan emphasized Thursday that without the city's added protections, it is perfectly legal for a business owner to refuse to serve a gay person or for a landlord to deny housing to a transgender individual.

She said the city has chosen to protect these people from discrimination.

"If you take away your community's right to do that and cede that right to the state, then you defacto say, that, 'OK, we are willing to allow those discriminations.' "

>snip<

The petition sponsor "Citizens for Good Public Policy" who orginally objected to transgender people being included in human rights objected to the wording the Council choose for the proposed admendment which clarified which class of people would loose protection as "Gender Idenity" should the admendment pass.

12/2/08

Duanna Johnson's Death Will Not Stop MPD Lawsuit



The slaughter of Duanna Johnson will not stop Transgender Activists from continuing to press for JUSTICE in Memphis. Be it "police" or "Murdering Thugs" we will find out who murdered Duanna Johnson.

Kelli Busey
Dec. 02, 2008

11/26/08

Dallas Voice : Trans community meets with Bishop Robinson


Ben Briscoe Staff Writer Dallas Voice

"Majority of those who attended ‘Conversations’ prior to Black Tie also participated in protest."

"Depending on whom you talk to, “Transgender Conversations” with openly gay Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson Saturday, Nov. 22 either provided little closure for transgender activists upset with Robinson’s previous statements or it reassured them that he is a strong trans ally."

Read more at the Dallas Voice....

10/18/08

Human Rights First : 2008 US Violent Hate Crimes against LGBT Increasing


By Kelli Busey
Sat. Oct 18, 2008
planetransgender

According to a recently released report from Human rights first, violent attacks on people because of sexual preference and gender identity have increased in 2007.

Government statistic's do not report all incidences according to The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) nor differentiate between violence targeting people for their gender identity and sexual orientation in the United States.

Non governmental sources, the only reliable and comprehensive record keeper, indicate that crimes targeting gender identity has increased the most.
Due to the horrific nature of the crimes, usually murder these deaths receive a heavy dose of sensationalistic self promotional commercialization from some unscrupulous mainstream and LGBT media. It is usually the outrage of bloggers that the media has begun recently to consider the consequences of irresponsible reporting.

It is important to note that in 2007 area's with recently defeated anti bias laws saw a increase of violent incidents and areas that saw an enactment of protective laws, a marked decrease.

Those regions included: Minnesota (+85, 135%)which denotes a correlation between the time hate crimes bills were being considered and the increase of violence after the defeat of the bill.

Michigan (+201, 207%) with more than double the number of reported violent incidents in 2007. This is an increase of 133%. Michigan passed a constitutional amendment in 2004 that bans gay marriage,

Kansas City (+17, 142%).

Other regions reporting increased numbers of victims in 2007 over 2006 include San Francisco (+24, 7%) and Pennsylvania(+10, 28%).

Regions reporting decreases in numbers of victims in 2007(Both which enacted gender protective laws) include New York City with 82 fewer victims than in 2006 (-14%) and Colorado (-27%), which received 45 fewer reports.

There is no way to estimate the worldwide suffering caused by the Human Rights Campaign(HRC) and Congressman Barney Frank when they so publicly and inexplicitly removed inclusion of transgender people from the national GLBT human rights movement HR2015 (ENDA), a bill which had no chance of passage.

In an unanticipated backlash to this transphobic behaviour cities, counties and states have moved to enact gender protective laws. Most cities are experiencing protests of HRC by a coalition of disenfranshised, when HRC has subsequently meets to raise 20 million dollars annually at fundraisers while proclaiming to be a advocate for transgender people.

The tentacles of this massive entity extend into religion and respected local LGBT groups as they become inebriated by the availability of funds and make commitments way beyond their means.

It is this current situation that leads some transgender and queer to wonder, what does HRC, lesbian and gays have to motivate it to seriously commit to a inclusive ENDA?

9/21/08

No one Left Out at Debut of Minnesota Gender Advocates



Queer Today Reports that a new Gender Advocacy group has arisen to tender the question in Minnesota "Why are we removed from ENDA?".

Left Out Party - Sept, 13th 2008
No one Left Out at Debut of Minnesota Gender Advocates
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008

Close to a hundred people attended the Left Out Party organized by Minnesota Gender Advocates at Pi Bar, in Minneapolis to celebrate inclusiveness and community. The event was organized to show the Twin Cities support of a fully gender inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The ENDA passed in 2007, by the National House of Representatives, is legislation designed to protect workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Minnesota Gender Advocates, along with hundreds of other organizations across the country is working for an ENDA that also includes protections for gender identity and expression.


On this night, while the Human Rights Campaign held their annual dinner across town, attendees showed their support for a fully inclusive ENDA by signing over 75 letters to members of Minnesota's federal congressional delegation. One of the highlights of the evening was a visit by Representative Keith Ellison (5th Congressional District) who shared his support for a fully inclusive ENDA. Among community leaders attending, Raquel (Rocki) Simões from the GLBT Host Home Program, Avenues For Homeless Youth, attended to show her program's commitment to expanding protections to people of all gender identities.

Minnesota Gender Advocates is a new group working for visibility and equality for all Trans, Intersex, gender Queer and gender Questioning (TIQQ) Minnesotans. Our Mission is to raise awareness of issues affecting TIQQ communities, promote equality, and advocate for legal and policy changes that affect our civil rights.

9/13/08

Broward County, LLV Florida and the Broward School Board say NO 2



What Flordia's Admendment 2 says

"In as much as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."

6 Reasons to Say No 2

Taking Away Benefits
Amendment 2 could take away existing benefits from all unmarried Floridians

Hurting Seniors
Amendment 2 could force seniors to choose between important benefits like sharing health care and important government benefits.

"Gay Marriage" Bait & Switch
Amendment 2 claims to ban "gay marriage" but Florida already has multiple laws banning same-sex marriage

Massive Government Intrusion
Amendment 2 puts the government where it doesn't belong - regulating the personal relationships of Floridians

Hiring Expensive Lawyers
Amendment 2 could force unmarried Floridians to hire expensive private lawyers just to protect their basic legal rights

Dramatic Consequences
Amendment 2 could take away job benefits from university employees and be used as a defense to domestic violence - as in other states which passed similar amendments

Who says No 2 government dictating our personal lives? Who sNO 2 amendment 2 Florida?
Broward School Board, Miami City Commission, The league Of Woman Voters Florida

Click here to visit No2

9/5/08

Heart in pain

By Kelli Busey
Sept. 05, 2008
planetransgender

I have received calls from as far as California asking me about Who is mad at HRC and why? What is HRC's response?
"Why are transgender people so mad?" I will speak of my life.

I am in a place I never thought to be. I recently became aware spiritually and received saving grace and salvation through my church and minister. I sought Jesus Christ to help me in transition and I received unconditional love.

An irresistible force drew me, a transgender woman to the Methodist General Conference 2008. I was given an opportunity to be a participant in the Struggle with people who so lovingly desperately desire what I was experiencing in my church, not just conditional admission but full inclusion. I believe many understood it is my love of Christ and the Reconciling ministries(RMN) devotion and commitment to radical inclusion that kept me at FT Worth even after learning that Pastor Phoenix would be allowed to return to his church.



Then the unthinkable began. I found myself in disbelief since attending my church as members of my congregation who's Churches second mission statement Does not "stand idly by" in the face of inequity and injustice seemed content to remain unaware and unconcerned with the spreading violence targeting the gender diverse.

With much prayer and thought I concluded that the church was responsible to be at least aware of and hopefully address the murders and mutilation of transgender people who are from 10 to 1,000 times more likely to be murdered.
It became my understanding that my church and social organizations are as responsible as the very same people who commit this violence because they have CHOSSEN to remain silent or have in fact perpetuated the conception that Transgender lives are somehow LESS than gay or lesbian lives.

I authored and circulated an online petition asking that Bishop Robinson of the New Hampshire Anglican Diocese that he not support spiritual violence by not attending the Human Rights campaigns(HRC) Dallas fundraiser in November 2008. We Queers believe that although HRC has done much to benefit transgender people it committed an unrepentant atrocity against us by not following thru on its promise to commit only to a gender inclusive ENDA.

The copies of the online petition that I handed out were folded and put in pockets as the person I was talking to eyes rolled back with promises to read it later.

I have spent hours with local Ministers and in one conversation with my transgender minister I learned that he was planning to attend the D.C. HRC pastors call. I asked my pastor to please consider my request he not go. He promised me he would think and pray of this as we do in the Reconciling Ministries. It is the act of conversation that is to me, all important.

Two weeks later I asked my pastor his thoughts and he said he had not given it consideration and would I send him some more information. I found this to be intolerable. I sat in the foyers before service and watched as the $8 "Would Jesus Discriminate" tee shirts were being sold.

The hypocrisy and timing of his made me so mad I made my own sign. And I stood outside the church as people were going home. I was asked by offended people "is this something to do with that paper you handed out?" and "I supported you transgender at the Methodist Conference" and "What is HRC?".

MY shame and sorrow excaberated when my pastor called the next day to tell me that everyone wondered why I was mad at the church. He also said in that 20 hours since Sunday he had become fully aware of 20 years of previously unknown LGBT history and had decided that he was going to support HRC. It is my opinion that he did fully understand the reason why I was angry Sunday and decided to let the congregation focus their anger at me and my perceived rejection of the church. Call it dis or misinformation, it jeopardised my life and boils down to the deception which enabled spiritual violence, the very thing I am campaigning against.

We are rejected and marginalized by our Churches, social organizations, legislatures and Judicial branches. We are angry at the intentional ignorance of many Gay and Lesbians.

So now I am feel alienated by what is most important to me, my church. I hurt so much. I am asking for your guidance. How do I reconcile my anger and return to my church.

8/28/08

Spencer Morgan, Beautiful Woman

By Kelli Busey
planetransgender
August 28, 2008

Living large and authentic in NYC . Jamie Clayton is what many of us ladies aspire to. She is open and sensual, caring but sure of her own self worth. She lives in full openness as to her identity but does not wish to make it the focal point of her life.
In this New York observer article titled "The Second Most Beautiful Girl in New York" author Spencer Morgan details the struggle that transgender woman must honestly face in relationships and in life.

We in the transgender world have become all to familiar with the heart wrenching sadness as we come to terms with yet another brutal murder of a young woman. But the ordeal is far from over as the media falls over each other in a race to riches at the victims expense only to have the crime forgiven by a judge who allows for another gender panic defense.

Our pain in the faith community is excaberated by our own GLBT churches which seem not to notice or care, but instead feed information to congregations that misleads them or keeps them uninformed.
These reasons are why we transgender people must take full responsibility for our lives. We can examine this young life and learn from her.

8/15/08

Kenneth Zucker : Killer of our youth

You may never encounter evil personified more so than Kenneth Zucker. He is scheduled to speak in a venue that would allow him to communicate hate and bigotry to millions.

Click title for petition site
======================================================

Petition: Dr Kenneth Zucker - Royal Society of Medicine

We the undersigned wish to protest in the strongest possible terms against the inclusion of Dr Kenneth Zucker in the Royal Society of Medicine's conference on "Gender Identity Disorder in Adolescents" . We believe that his methods are harmful to young people and that his theories on transgenderism are both outdated and rejected by most of the psychological community as they are based on personal bias and flawed methodology. We respectfully ask that you replace him with a contributor to the conference who does not give such offence to the transgendered community.


.
=====================================================

8/11/08

questioningtransphobia

Adult Content
Cross Posted from "Questioning Transphobia and other bigotry" click title for link

to alix olson and all women who go to michigan women's festival

8/5/08

We will be at the Dallas Texas bar "Crews Inn" tonight.

Many thanks to Dallas Voice DVTV News.

8/4/08

Gentle Gender discussion



Click title for Left In S.F. post
Left in S.F has a wonderful article which begins with a discussion about the planned Olympic testing to see is you a guy of girl? Inquiring minds want to know.

The article then transitions into self examination and how do you qualify gender? Everyone including myself is guilty of having a set of preconceptions about gender. Guilty as charged.
To the dear person I was speaking with last night that repeatedly called me man until I couldn't take it, its cool. You were honestly trying as hard as your good christian heart could. What you did is commendable. You challenged yourself to understand. Doors and pathways will appear to you as if by magic and I will be with you in your struggle. Trying to understand you. You my friend are now part of our community.

8/1/08

Transgender Protest at Crews Inn

For Immediate release
Friday August 1, 2008

Transgender and allies protest discrimination

Contact Kelli Busey
Tel. 214.226.7080
kellibusey@yahoo.com
http://planetransgender.blogspot.com

Protest
Tuesday evenings at 10:00 pm
Crews Inn
3215 N Fitzhugh Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 443-9350

Why
Unfair and discriminatory actions of David Moore, co-owner Crews Inn.

Dallas Transgender advocates and allies have committed to a continuing a protest at Crews Inn, a Gay bar in Dallas Texas, in response to the expulsion of transgender woman from the bar on Tuesday July 15, 2008.

According to protest leader Celeste Williams, "We will let David Moore co-owner know that LGBT people will not abide with discrimination, especially from within our own community and that there are many other Gay bars close by that have publicly announced and displayed a non discriminatory policy towards the LGBT population".

A opinion that David Moore has displayed a random disregard towards transgender entertainers, guests and woman is reinforced by experiences of Sierra Nicole Standridge, who performs as Sierra Nicole Andrews,
"I was kicked out three years, he does this every so often for no reason".
Bar patrons who stopped by after seeing the protesters said he "gets into one of his moods" and acts unpredictably.

Robert Clawson, a dancer at Crews Inn who stopped by the protest on his way into work said,

“David is set in his ways,” Clawson said. “I think it is just awful, but I have to make my dollar.”

The protests have been joined by Patti Fink of the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance, Daniel Williams of the Dallas Peace Center, allies and friends.

The protest which has gained local TV and national media attention, has highlighted the need for legal protections in the workplace which transgender people have been excluded from recently in the 2007 ENDA defeat.

7/29/08

Queer issues take a global stage at the United Nations



By Emily Geminder

29 July 2008 [MEDIAGLOBAL]: Of the more than 3,000 non-governmental organizations holding consultative status to the United Nations, only a handful address gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex issues. This week saw an incremental but significant step towards change: two groups, COC Netherlands and the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals of Spain (FELGTB), gained admittance to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The impact of United Nations policy bears far-reaching implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals everywhere, and the community’s marginalization within the international framework has come under increasing scrutiny. According to South Africa based Gender Dynamix, Africa’s first transgender rights organization, discrimination against individuals who do not conform to conventional gender expression places them at high risk for HIV infection, compounding the impotence of national and global policies that fail to take sexual and gender minorities into account.

7/24/08

Protest at Crews Inn Dallas a show of UNITY


July 24th 2008 was another of a dozen 100+ Texas scorchers turned frigid 90 deg. evening. The dozen protesters gathered together to support the two "drag queens" David Moore, co-owner of the Crews Inn, described as offending his clubs ultra high moral standards were flabbergasted to meet Celeste(R) and Sierra(L) the "offending" transgender woman.
I had attended this protest as because I wanted to support a part of our culture and stand up for "Drag Queens", well honey I struggle by with only 1/4 of the charms of these gals!

This show of support quickly became a matter of passion as we began to know our lady friends and listen to the sincerity in there voices.

The shouts from our community turned many around as they walked towards the Crews Inn entrance. We became more emboldened as our community waved and happily walked over to ZIPPERS where owner John Miles welcomes everyone, even on Trashy Tuesday!

We have decided to return to our little stonewall on Tuesday until such a time as the offending words are amended and reconciliation begun. As Michael Doughman Director of the Dallas Tavern Guild noted, "I have never known David(Moore) to be prejudiced toward any group of people, so I can't imagine that it is just because they are guys in drag."

Daniel Williams, operations Director of the Dallas Peace Center composed his signs from his heart and they best represent the "back story".
Among our group of protesters were Straight allies, Lesbians, Gay men, Transgender and MANY members of HRC. These HRC members did not come to grandstand or steal the spotlight. I did not even known they were HRC members until I asked them.
This is Indeed is a community solid in commitment, willing and able to sacrifice for the common good.

By Kelli Busey
July 24,2008
planetransgender

7/17/08

LGBT Activists March, Pull off Masks in India


Cross posted from Reproductive Health RT Reality check
Click title for original post.

Deepali Gaur Singh on July 17, 2008 writes..

"This day was chosen by representatives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots of 1969 in New York, sparking the gay rights movement nationwide. In possibly the largest display of gay pride of its kind in India, LGBT activists chanted for their rights, to end discrimination and push for acceptance in a society where intolerance is widespread and where homosexual acts are illegal"

More click title....
=====================================
Kelli Busey comments on July 17, 2008...

Because I am a vocal opponent of discrimination I would like to point out in India, as in America, transgender people play a lead role in bringing to acceptance the homosexual experience.

There has been in America a effort to exclude transgender people from legal protections by the leading gay and lesbian advocacy group, Human Rights Campaign, (HRC). The entire GLBT community formed UNITED ENDA to educate HRC, but sadly HRC has not changed it's discriminatory policies. Policies that are harmful to all womankind.

read more click title......

7/10/08

BILLION DOLLAR BABY CRYS FOUL

A open letter to Bishop V. Gene Robinson

Open Letter to The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson
Bishop of New Hampshire
http://www.nhepiscopal.org/bishop/bishop.html

HRC's billion dollar baby has begun to stir.

As I was leaving my LGBT youth group I made a mention of a up coming protest of the HRC Celebration of gold in November 2008 at Dallas Texas to a paid staffer at YouthFirst.
I up to this moment had viewed this paid staff member as a somewhat distant person friendly enough, but in as a non committal offhanded sort of way.
I had attributed this to her being a very busy woman and I had admired her dedication to the LGBT youth.
But this void had made my commitment to continue volunteerism a matter of personal dedication because of a seemingly lack of concern by the leadership of this group. I had up to this point accepted this as my personal sacrifice so that I may satisfy my need to be of good to the community I Love so much.

Her first response before realizing the gravity of the situation was to say " Just make sure you are not wearing your YouthFirst Hat while you are protesting." Becuse I am a writer of the goodness and potentials of our LGBT youth.

I had seen the response by the staff to the youth if they even suggested that they were gender variant. Always concentrated looks of disbelief with grins, followed with a comment like " ya right." This results in the youth looking down in embarrassment and shame. I have come to the point where I openly defend their right to gender expression and am quickly put down and ignored by the staff.

Judith stood suddenly between me and the door and asked, sudden concern clouding her eyes "what protest?" I began to tell Judith about the protests I had participated in since being denied by HRC. Her worry began to deepen as she asked what it was I thought might happen at Dallas in November.

I replied Bishop Robinson was scheduled to accept the ELIZABETH BIRCH EQUALITY AWARD at the dinner. I was asking my faith community to stand up for us and for Bishop Robinson to deny this award on solidarity with transgender people who have been unjustly and unfairly removed from being a part of ENDA in spite of the unanimous outcry of 350 LGBT groups that HRC decided to ignore and caused untold sorrow and pain. We are a community on the verge of self destruction because of HRC.

Judith first response knowing that I wrote for the RMN blog, a Methodist affirming outreach group was to say" Oh but the Methodist church in Dallas gets money from this." THIS response made me physically ill. Judith was attempting to use my faith against me, as a club to beat me down with. I responded" I attend this church as a guest not because it is a recipient for HRC funds, which I was previously unaware of , but because of my experience at the Methodist Conference that summer I had fallen in love with the Methodist faith. I will talk to this church about this I said, but my love for them is about trying to help in their struggle to become free to worship, free to Minister and free to marry as I am in AGAPE MCC."

Judith was now HORRIFIED. I asked her why she had turned so pale she told me "I am on the Black Tie Marketing committee." Oh I said. I am so sorry things have come to this point and told her I was interviewed by The Dallas Voice, a local LGBT paper, and had answered the question of protest at the Dallas black tie. We at that time were committed to finding a way to Educate and form a solid coalition and not wanting to detract or degenerate the Dallas Black Tie. WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY and only want to do good. So we asked the Black Tie Committe if we could hold a Educational Initiative at this Black Tie but were once again denied.I told Judith that we are not asking Bishop Robinson to refuse this award out of spite, but becuse HRC has forced us into a corner and left us no options.

Now Judith's BILLION DOLLAR BABY was in mortal danger. She was horrified by the pureness of my heart, the intent of my soul, in fact my love for our community and Christ. She was protecting a gold jewel encrusted inanimate object which has no soul, no consciousness, no hopes and dreams. It does not have faith.

To Judith, protecting this baby which HRC has been holding in front of it's Dallas Black Tie to shield it self against dissent, was not unlike a mother who relized her child was now in danger of being pried from her loving hands.

Never once did the matter of my faith in the episcopal church ever become a matter of concern for this HRC fund raiser. Never did my struggle to remain employed EVER become a matter of her concern. Never has the DEATH of Lawrence KING ever become connected with the struggle of the gender variant, or become important to Judith. UNTILL NOW when her BILLION DOLLAR BABY became endangered.

Judith and HRC are worried and horrified not because they care about Christianity. Not because they are worried about Trans peoples faith, health or well being. Not because of any concern for gender expressive children like Lawrence King.

They are Praying to their GOLD GOD. The Billion Dollar BABY. Baby HRC.

I am asking you Bishop Robinson not to attend the 2008 Dallas Black Tie. I am asking you to put into practice the inspiring sermon you gave at All Saints Church that brought me out of the shadows, out of fear into a strength and belief that GOD and CHRIST love me and spoke through you.
You see, I forsake my Episcopalian church which I grew up in for 20 years because of a man, who while representing this church had done me such grievous harm.

Because of your sermon at All Saints opened my heart again, to beleave again.

I am asking you to reject HRC. To be the protector of the Gender diverse yet unborn, alive and dead. HRC has thrown transgender people away. Sacrificed For pieces of gold.

Kelli Anne Busey
Gender Advocate
Believer in Christ the redeemer




7/9/08

Episcopal Priest Beaten While Protecting Homeless Transgender Youth revisited



Queens Residents Speak Out Against Violence On Transgender Youth
NYC Transgender Shelter Says Director Attacked
Father Braxton in a telephone interview shortly after this incident, told me that his site was unable to accept donations because of a technical problem. I promised Reverend Braxton I would return and try to help. Here we are.
Please make a Donation to Carmens Place

NEW YORK (AP) -- A priest who runs a shelter specializing in outreach to homeless transgender youths was beaten with construction equipment and paint cans by a group of teenagers in a possible hate crime, authorities said Tuesday.

Two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old were awaiting arraignment Tuesday on charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon, Queens prosecutors said. A 15-year-old was being charged as a juvenile in the Monday attack outside the Carmen's Place shelter, prosecutors said.

The four boys gathered in front of Carmen's Place around 10 p.m. and started harassing and taunting the residents with homophobic slurs and insults, people at the shelter said. The director, the Rev. Louis Braxton Jr., tried to intervene but was attacked with paint cans, a woodworking tool and other objects found along the street, they said.

Braxton, 52, was treated at a hospital for cuts and bruises. A shelter resident also was injured in the attack, which occurred on one of the main thoroughfares in the Astoria neighborhood.

Braxton spoke about the attack on Tuesday.

``Unfortunately, violent attacks against transgender youth is not unusual,'' he said. ``What made this incident so disturbing is that it occurred on a congested and busy New York City street.''

The incident was being investigated by the police Hate Crimes Task Force, and charges could be upgraded if it's found a hate crime took place.

Carmen's Place first was established by a missionary named Carmen Solis in the basement of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, where Braxton was pastor. The shelter provides beds and food for youths who have been kicked out of their homes or turned to prostitution.

When the parish closed in 2007 because of financial trouble, Braxton rented a nearby two-bedroom apartment for the shelter, which currently houses about a dozen transgender youths.

The nonprofit runs on a shoestring budget and relies on donations.

Shelter spokesman Reggie Johnson said residents there often are harassed and the attack on Braxton is the latest in a string. He said the shelter is working with community leaders and the local police precinct to help make the area safer for residents.

From Kelli~ I am contiuing to add articles as I find them to the original post to keep a thread intact~


July 08, 2008
NY1 News

Four teenaged boys were arrested for attacking the director and several residents of a transgender center in Astoria Tuesday. NY1’s Ruschell Boone filed the following report.

Father Louis Braxton, Jr., who leads the transgender center "Carmen's Place" in Astoria, Queens, says he was trying to defend a group of transgender teens who were being assaulted Monday night when four teenaged boys attacked him with belts and paint cans.

“I was standing right here looking that way and they kind hit me from behind,” said Braxton, who says the incident happened in front of the shelter where he and the transgender teens live. “I have a couple of knots on my head right now and a fat lip.”

Braxton said the boys struck him after yelling anti-gay slurs at the transgender teens, who were horsing around outside the shelter.

Carmen's Place has been a safe haven for transgender and gay youth for about three years.

“When they said what they said, I was shocked,” said victim Alessandra Carver. “I was like, ‘You feel good about what you're saying?’ and then that's when he was like, ‘Why you talking?’ So he went there and took a trash can and hit me with the thing upside with one of them.”

Police say four teenagers were arrested for their role in the attack -- 17-year-old Tyreek Childs, 16-year-old Travaughn Payne, 17-year-old Shara Mozie and a minor whose name has not been released.

The teens have been charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Police say they are still trying to determine whether or not they will be charged with a hate crime.

In the meantime, Braxton and the transgender teens say the attack left them feeling unsafe at their shelter, and they are now looking for a new location.

- Ruschell Boone
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/index.jsp

Queens Residents Speak Out Against Violence On Transgender Youth

July 10,2008
NY1
Unknown Author



Some angry community members spoke out against violence in Astoria Thursday in response to an assault on a neighborhood priest and transgender youth earlier this week.

Father Louis Braxton, Jr. was attacked by four teenagers Monday night outside Carmen's Place, a homeless shelter for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

Police say the boys were assaulting a transgender teen in front of the Steinway Street shelter when Braxton stepped in to help.

"Unfortunately, violent attacks against transgender youth are not unusual,” said Braxton. “The thing that really upsets me is this happened here in such a nice neighborhood and such a nice community.”

“Transgender youth must walk down the street with their eyes over their shoulder because they never know what's gonna come their way,” said Daniel Dromm, co-founder of Generation Q Youth Services Program. “This type of violence is deplorable."

The attackers were arraigned Tuesday on weapons and harassment charges and are due back in court on August 13.

Nyl.com

Kelli Busey
planetransgender