Frontiers In LA and LGBT POV have reported on the brutal murder last Aug. 28, of Paulina Ibarra, a 24-year-old transgender woman, who was found stabbed to death in her apartment at 939 N. Mariposa Avenue in Hollywood. LAPD detectives found DNA evidence that Jesus Catalan (AKA: Brian Nanes or Luis Santiago), 24, was at the scene at the time of the murder and are looking for him as a suspect. He is described as a homeless male Hispanic, 5’9”, 140 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, with a tattoo on his right arm. He should be considered armed and dangerous. (See more on the story here.)
The Los Angeles Human Relations Commission issued their Hate Crimes Report for 2008 and noted that there were 7 violent anti-transgender hate crimes last year (I’m working on a more complete report). But to friends and family, these statistics note not just victims but really flesh and blood human beings who suffered because of who they are, because of their gender identify or expression. It is to remember them that the Transgender Day of Remembrance was created.
Among the many vigils scheduled worldwide is one in West Hollywood tonight at 6:00 PM.
The event begins at Matthew Shepard Human Rights Triangle (Santa Monica Blvd. at Crescent Heights) where there will be an unveiling of the first Transgender Memorial Plaque, commemorating those who have been murdered due to anti-transgender violence and hatred.
The Transgender Law Center writes this:
Caprice Curry
This year, we remember the tragic deaths of Caprice Curry, a transgender woman stabbed to death in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, Paulina Ibarra, a transgender woman killed in East Hollywood, as well as the 119 people lost to anti-transgender violence around the world. We also take time to remember that many deaths of transgender people go unreported.
From 1970 to the present, California has had 57 documented murders of transgender people, the highest number in the country. These numbers do not begin to reflect the systematic discrimination and targeting that transgender and gender non-conforming people — particularly those who are low-income, people of color and immigrants — face in their daily attempts to access basic safe housing, employment, education and public benefits.
“On the Day of Remembrance, we stop to think about the effects of violence on our lives and look to the hope and strength of our community,” said Alexis Rivera, Community Advocate at the Transgender Law Center.
“We remember our lost brothers and sisters and work even harder for transgender civil rights in their names.”
Locally organized events are taking place all over California today, November 20, through Saturday, November 22.
Eureka
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Humboldt County Court House Lawn
Corner of 5th & I Streets, Eureka, CAFresno
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
The Big White House
1095 N. Van Ness Avenue. Fresno, CALong Beach
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Broadway and Junipero Streets, Long Beach, CAOakland
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Preservation Park, Nile Hall
668 13th Street, Oakland, CAOrange County
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:30 PM
The Center OC
1605 N. Spurgeon Street, Santa Ana, CASacramento
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
2620 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CASan Diego
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
LGBT Community Center
3909 Centre Street, San Diego, CASan Francisco
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
API Wellness Center
730 Polk Street, San Francisco, CATransgender Day of Remembrance Shabbat
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav
290 Dolores Street, San Francisco, CASan Jose
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Billy DeFrank LGBTQQI Community Center
938 The Alameda, San Jose, CASanta Barbara
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden
Corner of Anacapa and Anapamu Streets, Santa Barbara, CASanta Cruz County
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Watsonville Plaza
358 Main Street, Watsonville, CAStockton
Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Central United Methodist Church
3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CAWest Covina
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Safe Haven Community Christian ChurchWest Hollywood
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Matthew Shepard Human Rights Triangle
Santa Monica Boulevard at Crescent Heights, West Hollywood, CA
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I can’t believe that a Transexual Prostitute who tricked customers gets a plaque, and all those vitimized by this criminal activity get no support from the police!