PunkMonk San Francisco: Reflections of an unabashed political and social progressive, Gen-X poet, and Episcopal religious, looking to help God redeem the establishment from the inside out.
Ruby Ordena was found murdered last week in the San Francisco Mission District, and I want to know why more of us haven't heard that. She was a 27 year old transgender Latina and according to Gender Pac, hers was at least the 50th known violent murder of a transgender person since 1995.
"Ruby's murder is not an exception. Gender non-conforming young people – who have often been shut out of employment, housing, and safe environments because of their gender identity or expression – are dying at a rate of about one every three months," said Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC). "We mourn the tragic loss of yet another young life."
I understand that many people are still uneducated about transgender persons and uncomfortable when they meet someone who doesn't fit our notions of masculine and feminine. The need for education about gender identity is acute, not just for youth but for adults as well.
But, where is the national outrage that Ms. Ordenana was violently killed because of her gender expression? How is it possible that we haven't heard voices condemning such senseless violence?
In fact, according to Gender Pac, the only national voice was radio host Michael Savage, who called Ms. Ordenana "a psychopath" and a "freak" on his nationally syndicated radio program.
No, Mr. Savage, she was a child of God, just as you are, who deserved to live without violence or discrimination.
So, if you want to take a stand today, write Mr. Savage at info@talkradionetwork.org and tell him as a person of faith you believe that every person has dignity and worth and a right to the American promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You'll feel better. I did.
Posted by Br. Karekin, BSG on April 3, 2007 10:00 PM|Permalink