Transgender Hate Crime in Memphis

TTPC Responds to Another Anti-Trans Hate Crime in Memphis

Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition

TTPC Responds to Another Anti-Trans Hate Crime in Memphis
Last night, local media in Memphis reported yet another murder of an
African American, transgender woman in Memphis. The victim was been
identified by the legal name of Rodney Whitaker, age 20.

http://www.wreg.com/global/story.asp?s=8587291

http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8583907

Members of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition have been
active in a community effort in response to the recent beating of Duanna
Johnson and were present at last night's Memphis City Council meeting to
that incident when the latest story broke.
"We consider these two recent crimes, combined with the still unsolved
murder of another African American transgender woman, Tiffany Berry on
February 16, 2006, to be totally unacceptable. The lack of response
by the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County to the beating of
Duanna Johnson has set a tone in the community that the lives of
transgender people, especially African American transwomen, are
irrelevant," said Dr. Marisa Richmond, President of TTPC.
"We insist that local authorities aggressively investigate and prosecute
these and other hate crimes against transgender, as well as gay,
lesbian, and bisexual, people. It is also time for the State of
Tennessee to add 'gender identity or expression' to the Hate Crimes
Enhancement Factors in Tennessee Code Annotated 40-35-114 (23), and for
the Federal Government to pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act,"
continued Richmond.

Dr. Richmond will appear this weekend on Out and About Today, and will
talk about these brutal hate crimes against transgender persons, along
with several other topics of interest. Out and About Today is
broadcast on NewsChannel 5+ and will debut on Friday, July 4, at 10:00
pm, CDT, and will repeat on Saturday at 9:30 pm, CDT, and Sunday at
10:00 pm, CDT. NewsChannel 5+ can be found on Nashville Cable at
Channel 50. If you do not live in Nashville, check your local
listings to see if NewsChannel 5+ is available in your area.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is an organization
designed to educate and advocate on behalf of transgender related
legislation at the Federal, State and local levels. TTPC is dedicated to
raising public awareness and building alliances with other organizations
concerned with equal rights legislation.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact:
Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC)
P.O. Box 92335
Nashville, TN 37209
http://ttgpac.com
TTGPAC@aol.com
(615)293-6199
(615)353-1834 fax