Archive for the ‘GLBT’ Category
Transgender Day of Remembrance and Latin@s
12:48 pm By Maegan la Mamita Mala · GLBT| Latin America · No Comments
20 Nov 2009There are a number of posts and tweets I have seen today about today being Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day where those whose lives were lost in transphobic hate crimes. Peep the video below and pay special attention to just how violent life is for trans people in Latin America.
Pero before we as Latinos in the U.S. think of this as happening as a problem “over there”, as in Latin America still painted as more transphobic than the good old U.S. of A, all we need to do is look at the life of Esmeralda who came to the U.S. in search of the “American dream”, the life of Angie Zapata, and Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, porque like it or not Puerto Rico is part of the U.S.
I am sadly surprised that more “Latino” centric sites don’t cover the lives of translatin@s. It’s easy enough to write on immigration cuz that is what is expected to us. Pero to exclude and ignore the reality, the lives of our hermanos y hermanas just perpetuates stereotypes, hate and violence. As I wrote in another post, do Latinos not think that issues of immigration, health care, and marriage equity impact the lives of transgente in our comunidad?
There are events all over today commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Puerto Rican, Latino Clergy, Theology Professors, Community Members To Condemn Brutal Hate Killing of Gay Puerto Rican Man
10:48 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · GLBT| New York City| Puerto Rico · 1 Comment
19 Nov 2009This just came into VL’s email, sorry for the late notice pero this is especially important given how Latino clergy and religious leaders in the New York area have been actively speaking against equal rights for all. I am a firm believer that the rhetoric put out there, be it about immigration or marriage equity, has a direct impact on how people treat each other. When people in positions of power speak hate, hate manifests.
Puerto Rican, Latino Clergy, Theology Professors, Community Members
To Condemn Brutal Hate Killing of Gay Puerto Rican ManOn Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12 pm, Puerto Rican and Latino pastors, professors
of theology and concerned members of the community will gather in front of the
Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Office, 135 West 50th Street, between 6th and 7th
Avenues, to condemn the brutal, hateful killing of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado and
pray for him and his family.Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, a 19 year old gay man, was found on the side of a road
in Puerto Rico on Friday. He was decapitated, dismembered and partially burned.
While a suspect has been arrested in the slaying, many disturbing and homophobic
comments from police officers and local clergy have been reported.“The purpose of this gathering is to pray for his family and also to denounce the
bigotry and homophobia that would lead some people of faith to condone such a
crime,” said Rev. Dr. Samuel Cruz, a professor at Union Theological Seminary. “We
are also going to call on other people of good faith to stand up to such hate crimes
regardless of their beliefs in terms of the LGBT community.”The religious leaders also want to make it clear that there are many Latino people
of faith who condemn violence against anyone regardless of their religion, political
ideology and sexual orientation and will be calling on all people of faith to stand
up and denounce this horrible crime.WHAT: Puerto Rican and Latino clergy, theological professors
and community members to denounce hate crime and pray for victim and his familyWHEN: Thursday, November 19, 2009
12 pmWHERE: Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Office
135 West 50th Street, between 6th and 7th
Avenues
Vigils for Justice y en Memoria de Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
9:53 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Events| GLBT| Justice| Los Angeles| New York City| Philly| Washington DC| chicago · 2 Comments
19 Nov 2009
There are a number of vigils that will be happening this coming weekend across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico demanding justice and in memory of Jorge Steven . I will be at the one in NYC this coming Sunday (local VL’ers hit me up if you want to come with or meet up).
As soon as more information comes in I will update this post. If you have information about a vigil in your community please leave a comment or email us at info@vivirlatino.com
Chicago
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
4-6 pm
Humboldt Park
Los Angeles
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
8pm-9:30 pm
West Hollywood Corner of Santa Monica and San Vicente
New York City
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
7-9 pm
Christopher St. Piers (Tentative)
Philadelphia
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
7 pm
Love Park 15th and Arch
Washington D.C.
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
5-6:30pm
Dupont Circle, Washington D.C.
For more information contact Rayyan 410-530-6078.
People are also post vigil information from across the U.S on this facebook page.
Sexual Violence Against Women in Immigrant Detention
12:17 pm By la Macha · GLBT| Health| Immigration| Women · 1 Comment
17 Nov 2009As horrified as I was to watch this video of Esmeralda speaking about her experiences in immigration detention prisons, I am so glad that she is speaking out. For so long, sexual violence against women in detention prisons has been the secret people don’t talk about. Or if they do, it’s (justifiably so) with pseudonyms or only found out about after a newspaper reporter manages to dig around enough.
This horror–the horror that specifically targets immigrant women in detention, is not new, it’s not unusual, it happens all the time. Women locked in little cells, many times with their children, and then forced to submit to the will of guards who promise extra blankets or play time for the kids, or most times, nothing at all.
Please watch Esmeralda’s testimonio (but be forewarned, there is lots of triggering stories!!!)
Esmeralda: A Transgender Detainee Speaks Out from Breakthrough on Vimeo.
It’s important to also point out that Esmeralda faced sexual violence that other women did not specifically because she is transgendered. So, even though she is a woman, she was put in prison with men. The U.S. government (not sure about Mexico), recognizes only the gender that is legally given to a person upon their birth, and as such when there are no transgendered facilities (which are bad enough because they segregate trans people from general populations as if they have a disease or something, talk about stigma!!!), trans women and men are often forced to stay in facilities meant for the opposite sex. Which makes already vulnerable women without citizenship papers or other legal representation even more vulnerable. If it’s nearly impossible to report guards, how on earth can women report fellow detainees who hurt her? Not to mention what happens if she has a period or needs other reproductive services while in a prison that functions for men’s needs?
These prisons (AND, please be aware, the U.S. prison system in general! These abuses are not particular to detention prisons!!!!) are a violation of human rights and dignity–and are one of the main reasons why I support calls for immigration reform (even as I work towards something more radical). The abuse is so horrific and so violent, we can not wait until there is something more radical in place to stop the violence. And doing nothing is an even worse idea. Please see restorefairness.org for how you can help!
Video found via Facebook
Update : Arrest Made in Murder of 19 Year Old Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
9:54 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · GLBT| Puerto Rico| Violence| crime| youth · 5 Comments
17 Nov 2009
Just read this off of Pam’s House Blend and then read the original article off of Primera Hora.
A man was arrested in the early morning hours in Cayay, suspected in the death of 19 year old Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado…an apparent homophobic hate crime…Sources say that the 28 year old man may have offered Lopez Mercado money for sex.
This case needs to be closely monitored for what may be the double victimization of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado. There may be an attempt to paint this as a crime of passion, “gay panic”, and/or “prostitution gone bad” instead of the horrific act of hateful violence it was.
Organizations Asking Department of Justice to Intervene in Murder Case of Jorge Steven López Mercado
6:41 am By Maegan La Mala · GLBT| Puerto Rico| Violence| youth · No Comments
17 Nov 2009
Yesterday la Macha wrote about the horrific murder of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado in Puerto Rico.
Some organizations are calling for the intervention of the United States Department of Justice, especially in light of comments that the local police investigator on the case made in the media:
The local police investigator assigned to the case said to Univisión about the victim: “Someone like that, who does those kind of things, and goes out in public, knows full well that this might happen to him.”…Puerto Rico’s Civil Rights Commission and Puerto Rico Para Tod@s, a local activist organization, have asked the Puerto Rico Police Department to take disciplinary action against Rodriguez. The PRPD has removed the investigator from the case, but local activists plan to protest outside the territorial capital in San Juan on Thursday. They also plan to hold a vigil later this week.
The Puerto Rican government added sexual orientation to its hate crimes laws in 2002, but Serrano complained local police have not used it to prosecute those accused of anti-gay violence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced it will take jurisdiction over the case if local investigators conclude López’s killer or killers murdered him because of his sexual orientation.
NY State Holds an Extraordinary Session for What Should be Ordinary Rights
8:56 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · GLBT| New York| Politics · 1 Comment
10 Nov 2009I’m a spoiled NY’er who thinks that the rest of the United States and yes, the world should have the same values I do which is why I’m surprised that New York State still doesn’t have marriage equality for all of it’s residents. Today could be the day that changes. In what’s being called an extraordinary session, because it’s not a regularly scheduled one, not because it sparkles or anything like that, the NY State legislature is meeting to tackle a growing deficit and possibly approval of same-sex marriage.
The not too popular Governor David Paterson has called for a vote on gay marriage but also on budge cuts that impact school aid and hospitals. What could very well happen is that the legislature could get wrapped up in the important budget issue and ignore the marriage proposal all together. We’ll just have to wait and see.
If you are a NY’er (and hell even if you’re not) you should call your NY State Senator to let them know that you don’t want cuts to our school system and that you want marriage equity for all NY’ers! NY’ers for Marriage Equality has this handy little tool for you to figure out who your state senator is. I already know who mine is. Sigh.
The House Health Care Reform Bill That Passed and Passed Over
11:28 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · GLBT| Immigration| Politics| Women · 4 Comments
9 Nov 2009Some are celebrating the weekend passage of a health insurance bill in the House of Representatives. Pero those unhappy and critical aren’t just tea-baggers and others crying over a red scare. From jump, I was angered that health care reform was excluding and scapegoating some of the communities I feel strongly about, immigrants and women.
The Affordable Health Care for America Act, aka HR3962, passed 220-215 but the act contains provisions that bar access to services for women.
The Stupak Amendment (does that rhyme with stupid) bans coverage for abortion under any plans that use federal monies. This amendment apparently was a response to threats from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who threatened to dis the bill at masses across the country if abortion was covered. I went to church this Sunday specifically to see if the health care reform bill would be mentioned instead the priest talked about the World Series. Hmm.
Additionally the amendment requires that those participating in the “health exchange”, individuals and employers, buy riders for covering abortion services. The only exceptions are for pregnancies that are the result of rape/incest or when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger (her life, not her health). Additionally employer sponsored and private plans that don’t take government money are exempt. This means that women who participate in the public option of health care exchanges couldn’t even use their own money to access abortions.
Maine Voters Said Yes on 1 and Yes to Marriage Inequity
3:32 pm By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Family| GLBT| Immigration| Maine| Politics · 5 Comments
4 Nov 2009
In more bad election news, yesterday voters in Maine said yes to Question 1, overturning the state’s marriage equality law.
Prerna Lal at Dream Activistreminds us how this ties into the immigration issue:
Why should an average non-gay DREAM Act student care about my queer rants? Because like your families, like the Mejia-Perez family, our non-straight families are also scrutinized, separated and pulled apart since the law refuses to recognize them and grant them full and equal rights. Quite like President Obama delivered change for your families and has yet to deliver, he is also largely ignoring LGBT families.
When you do eventually gain the right to vote on other types of families at the polls, just remember what your own family, especially those who lived in mixed-status families, have had to endure. After that, question your ‘faith-based leaders.’ Ask them why they exclude same-sex families when they talk about ‘family unity?’ The Catholic Church, on one hand, stands up strong for the rights of undocumented workers. On the same page, it denounces civil rights for gay couples. Ask your pastors and priests, your clergy and pundits whether ‘God’ would deport a gay immigrant over a straight immigrant. Ask them whether some rights are more important than others. Ask them to support all families.
30 Days of Latino Heritage: Erika Lopez in NYC, Oct. 2
9:37 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Culture| Events| GLBT| Linking Latinos| Lo Que Hay| New York City| Women · 1 Comment
23 Sep 2009
As featured on our 30 Days of Latino Heritage Tumblr :
Erika Lopez’s The Welfare Queen at BAAD!
Friday, October 2, 8pm/$15
The time has finally come for the unabashed, chick crazy, cartoonist, writer, performer, one-woman art sweatshop ERIKA LOPEZ to bring her fun, daring, sexy and irreverent show for the first time to her native New York providing comfort and cheeky glances to the recession-struck Bronx.“When you’re on welfare and pushing your latest art project in an attempt to pay the rent, what it means to ‘have it all’ obviously require some redefinition.” – Eryn Loeb, blogger.
Click to reserve your seat or call 718-842-5223About Us
Crowned “a funky and welcoming performance space” by The New York Times, BAAD! is an art, performance and cultural workshop space that presents cutting-edge and challenging works by established, evolving and emerging choreographers, playwrights, poets, musicians and visual and performing artists. BAAD! presents four annual festivals, BAAD! ASS WOMEN, THE BOOGIE DOWN DANCE SERIES, OUT LIKE THAT! and the BlakTino Performance Series. BAAD! celebrates the arts created by and featuring women, people of all colors and/or the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community.COME TO BAAD! WHERE IT’S ALL GOOD.
email: crg_bx@yahoo.com
phone: 718-842-5223
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- Transgender Day of Remembrance and Latin@s
- Dear Troll(s):
- Puerto Rican, Latino Clergy, Theology Professors, Community Members To Condemn Brutal Hate Killing of Gay Puerto Rican Man
- Vigils for Justice y en Memoria de Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
- Russell Athletic rehires fired union organizers
- When Things Go Wrong…Terribly Wrong.
- Official VivirLatino Statement on Lou Dobbs Leaving CNN
- Sexual Violence Against Women in Immigrant Detention
- Nadya Suleman Speaks Again
- Update : Arrest Made in Murder of 19 Year Old Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
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- Dear Troll(s):
- Puerto Rican, Latino Clergy, Theology Professors, Community Members To Condemn Brutal Hate Killing of Gay Puerto Rican Man
- Vigils for Justice y en Memoria de Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
- Russell Athletic rehires fired union organizers
- When Things Go Wrong…Terribly Wrong.
- Official VivirLatino Statement on Lou Dobbs Leaving CNN
- Sexual Violence Against Women in Immigrant Detention
- Nadya Suleman Speaks Again
- Update : Arrest Made in Murder of 19 Year Old Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
- Organizations Asking Department of Justice to Intervene in Murder Case of Jorge Steven López Mercado
