NOTICE OF PRESS CONFERENCE
Contacts: Michelle Dennis (310-428-1354),
michel3063@aol.com ; and Vicky Ortega
(323-860-7314), vortega@LAGayCenter.org
STOP THE KILLING OF TRANSGENDER PERSONS!
On Wed. morning Nov. 16th at 10:30 AM on the First Street steps of Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti, California State Assemblyman Paul Koretz, members of the Southern California Transgender Community Coalition, members of Human Rights Campaign and members of The LOTUS(League of Trans-Unified Sisters) Society will speak out against the killing of transgender persons due to hate and prejudice, and will demand an end to the so-called “panic” legal defense that allows murderers to receive lesser sentences. The speakers will also announce Transgender Day of Remembrance events taking place at various locations in Southern California on Sunday Nov. 20th.
The murder rate of transgender persons is 17 times the national average; the highest rate of any minority group. A recent report of the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission indicated that 100% of hate crimes against transgender persons in Los Angeles County were violent; the highest rate of any reported group. These trends show no signs of abating. Transgender persons have the right to live, work, contribute to society and be happy like everyone else.
California bill AB 1160, Elimination of “Panic” Strategy in Criminal Trials, introduced by Assemblymember Sally Lieber would modify the existing definition of “voluntary manslaughter” to prohibit defendants from contending that they were provoked to murder by discovering the victim’s disability, gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
Sunday afternoon and evening, Nov. 20th, thousands of transgender persons, family members, supporters and allies will gather at Transgender Day of Remembrance events throughout Southern California to publicly mourn and honor at Transgender Day of Remembrance (DOR) events transgender sisters and brothers killed during 2005 due to hatred and prejudice. These local gatherings will be part of hundreds of similar events held throughout the United States and the world.
The Los Angeles County DOR event will be held Sunday Nov. 20th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Metropolitan Community Church at 8714 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. The event will be followed by a march down Santa Monica Blvd. to Mathew Sheppard Square at the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and Crescent Heights. A peaceful rally will be held at the Square to once again demand an end of the “panic” legal defense.
The following persons are DOR coordinators in the counties indicated. They can be contacted for information about local DOR events.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY: AJ (619-692-2077, adavis@thecentersd.org ); Poly (killingpoly@cox.net ) or Autumn (changing_seasons@cox.net )
ORANGE COUNTY: Pat (714-531-2731, patman420@juno.com ) or Cheryl (beingme_oc@yahoo.com )
RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Jami (951-827-2267, jami.grosser@ucr.edu )
LOS ANGELES COUNTY: Vicky (323-860-7314, vortega@LAGayCenter.org )
For more information about AB 1160, please see http://www.eqca.org
For more information about the Transgender Day of Remembrance, please see Http://www.gender.org/remember/day/ .
D.O.R. Planning Meeting: (YES! we are still having a planning Meeting) Wednesday November 16, 12:30pm- 1:30pm @ The village 1125N. McCadden, Los Angeles, Ca, 90038
Metamorphosis MTF Health Forum ( see attached flyer) Wednesday Nov. 16 -3:00pm - 6:pm @ The Village
SATURDAY Nov. 19, 2005
--------D.O.R. Sign Making Party hosted by Southern California Transgender Community Coalition 12pm - 4pm @ The Village
SUNDAY Nov. 20, 2005 (THE BIG DAY )
LOCATION: Transgender Day of Remembrance to be Held at: 8714 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood,Ca, 90069
Time: 3pm - 5pm followed by a candlelight vigil and demonstration (see attached Flyer)
This year’s event will be immediately followed by a demonstration/protest. Theme is:
“Call to Action: Stop the Trans/Gay Panic Defense”.
