Today, November 20th, is International Transgender Day of Remembrance. Stonewall Democrats of New York City stand as one with our transgender sisters and brothers as they continue to face discrimination in education, vocational training, unequal health care, and endless threats of unspeakable violence.
This summer, 21 year old Islan Nettles was beaten to death by a young man in Harlem, near a police outpost. A suspect was arrested immediately and charged with a misdemeanor for beating her up. When her grieving family took her off life support, neither the police nor the DA were able to move quickly enough to indict for homicide, for murder, or even manslaughter.
Yesterday, the suspect had his charges dismissed because the District Attorney was not yet ready to indict on the more obvious charges.
When events like this happen in our city, all citizens must demand justice from our authorities. When the corpse of Lorena Escalera is found burned in Brooklyn, and 14 months goes by and no one is in custody in spite of the NYPD knowing exactly who they are looking for, then we demand justice for Lorena Extravaganza, strangled and alone, in spite of being a well known entertainer throughout the region.
Transgender people, transgender women, and especially transgender women of color deserve equal justice in our city. The chasm of race, class, and gender identity swallow all, even those incapable of compassion and love.
Stonewall Democrats of New York City demand equal justice for all, regardless of having different lives, and in spite of any circumstances.
Together,
Melissa Sklarz
Stonewall Democrats of New York City, President