When Is It Going to Stop?

[EnderD_503]

Thanks for the responses, folks. This truly is horrific, and from what I just read this morning it seems this woman's rights might get trampled on again because the law is not suited to protect her.

The transwoman has not been named at this point, but Equality Maryland has apparently confirmed that yes, she was a 22 year old transgender woman. Two arrests have been made thus far of an 18 year old woman and a 14 year old girl.

And then the story just goes downhill. Apparently recently the state of Maryland refused to pass a bill that would allow trans people to use the appropriate washroom. The attack apparently occurred over the use of the McDonald's bathroom, and the article speculates that the case will be dismissed because she won't be seen a as a woman trying to use the women's washroom, but as a man. If they dismiss this case they're pretty much giving the green light to any asshole to go beat up a trans person and get away with it. There is no excuse for assaulting someone like this.

If this is a case of a 22 year old man entering a bathroom while a 14 year old girl was using it – get ready for a legal showdown. Any sleazeball criminal defense attorney will have enough facts to argue for a dismissal. I am sure the two girls have already been called by attorneys willing to take the case pro bono, trying to make a name. LGBT rights will spend more time on trial during this soon to be circus than the girls will. Still all must agree the assault without a doubt is heinous.

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2011/24106

If a state is not going to allow laws protecting trans people as far as which bathroom they can use, then it at least needs to address the issue of...which fucking bathroom is it safe to use? Make more gender neutral washrooms if you're not going to protect people's basic right to use a washroom. This could have just as well have happened had this woman tried to use the men's bathroom. What is she supposed to do?

Just last week or the week before there was a rally by the SanFran lgbt community over the beating over another transwoman, and I hope this brutality brings people out to speak out against it in the same way. There needs to be a way for the entire community of lgbt folks everywhere to come together against this kind of violence, and put up a fight to end this kind of violence.

And I agree, this is a problem that faces the entire lgbt community and all gender variant people.

[weatherboi]

Ms and i both called McDonalds last night. They have already sent a team of corporate investigators to the location to try and evaluate what happened and to evaluate the needs of the person that was assaulted. They are encouraging people to call the toll free hot line and comment if they feel the need to do so. They do ask for contact information.

1-800-244-6227
7 days a week
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST

[Ms. Tabitha]

Another article:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/upda...beating-video/

also:

McDonald's Employee Took Credit For Filming Brutal Beating In Baltimore Fast Food Joint

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/...medium=twitter

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by Ms. Tabitha

Another article:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/upda...beating-video/

also:

McDonald's Employee Took Credit For Filming Brutal Beating In Baltimore Fast Food Joint

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/...medium=twitter

Wow, that last article especially is really upsetting.

As seen above, in a Facebook posting, Hackett contended that the woman seen getting beaten in the video was actually a man "dressed lik a woman" who got into a confrontation with female patrons when he refused to leave the women’s bathroom at the Baltimore-area eatery. Hackett claimed that the victim faked a seizure and, when cops arrived at the restaurant, “he got right up.”

He wasn't transgendered He Was A Man Dressed Lik A Woman....He Still Had His Male Parts.

And ignorance very obviously came into play here. She wasn't trans because she still had her "male parts" (how does he even know that?)? Really? So transwomen who haven't been able to afford SRS aren't trans now? Geez, ain't that great. I'm glad we have this genius around to tell us who is and isn't trans.

And I think the fact that this was transphobia is pretty blatant in the language used. Throughout the attack the attackers keep calling her "a bitch" and other similar words. Why would they have called her that if they truly thought she was just a "man" trying to get into the women's washroom. I also question whether she would have been attacked so viciously if they truly thought she was a man trying to harrass them in the washroom. She was barely fighting back, and either way you don't continue to beat the crap out of someone who can't even fight back. Whether they admit it or not they attacked her because they knew they could, they knew she was vulnerable and probably because they thought she was a "freak." People probably stood back and watched for the same damn reason.

[BullDog]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Wow, that last article especially is really upsetting.





And ignorance very obviously came into play here. She wasn't trans because she still had her "male parts" (how does he even know that?)? Really? So transwomen who haven't been able to afford SRS aren't trans now? Geez, ain't that great. I'm glad we have this genius around to tell us who is and isn't trans.

And I think the fact that this was transphobia is pretty blatant in the language used. Throughout the attack the attackers keep calling her "a bitch" and other similar words. Why would they have called her that if they truly thought she was just a "man" trying to get into the women's washroom. I also question whether she would have been attacked so viciously if they truly thought she was a man trying to harrass them in the washroom. She was barely fighting back, and either way you don't continue to beat the crap out of someone who can't even fight back. Whether they admit it or not they attacked her because they knew they could, they knew she was vulnerable and probably because they thought she was a "freak." People probably stood back and watched for the same damn reason.

Calling her a bitch, etc- it is misogyny and sexism in addition to transphobia. Every time I hear about a transwoman (and almost always transmen as well) being denigrated it is full of not only transphobic language but language that denigrates women as well. Transwomen are denied being seen as women or taken seriously as women, but at the same time subjected to the worst sexism and misogyny imaginable.

[Soft*Silver]

My apologies...I used the wrong term. My sub is considering MtF, not FtM...jeezh you would think I would not mix this up...

[WingsOnFire]

I had to find the strength to watch this video. There is strength in numbers and by not watching it and not responding I am part of the silence. I cant be that. So I watched it. And I emailed McDonalds. Here was my comments.


"I am shocked and saddened by the horror that was inflicted on the woman in Baltimore County MD. There is no excuse for the inability for the employees to act quickly to protect this woman. It doesn't matter what your employees thought of a trans-gendered person. She was a human being! I cant imagine someone watching an animal be treated this way let alone a human being.

I am appalled that your employees. Yes, YOUR employees were cruel enough to laugh and record her torture. To the point that she went into a seizure and they still laughed at her. This is 2011 not 1960. I really hope that McDonald's does the right thing and fires each of the employees that were there that night that did nothing to help. It is a shame that they had to have an elderly patron come to her defense instead of your own employees.

I visit McDonald's every day, sometimes twice a day. I will be hard put to visit again if the right thing is not done in this case. This human being deserved to be treated better, deserved to be protected in a place that also has the sign of "Safe House" on their walls. This person was not safe. Your employees were just as guilty as the patrons who beat her.

Oh, by the way, this patron who spends at least $150 - $200 A month at your establishments is engaged to a trans male. So yes I am appalled."

[greeneyedgrrl]

Originally Posted by Ms. Tabitha

[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]McDonald's Employee Took Credit For Filming Brutal Beating In Baltimore Fast Food Joint

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/...medium=twitter


[/LEFT]

i read this article, and i'm wondering... wtf the victim's "rap sheet" has anything to do with anything? and bringing up her birth name?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

If a state is not going to allow laws protecting trans people as far as which bathroom they can use, then it at least needs to address the issue of...which fucking bathroom is it safe to use? Make more gender neutral washrooms if you're not going to protect people's basic right to use a washroom. This could have just as well have happened had this woman tried to use the men's bathroom. What is she supposed to do?

Unfortunately, in Maryland, the answer is "be the male you are and use the men's room And look like a guy if you don't want to get beat up there."

[weatherboi]

http://www.change.org/petitions/dema...-a-trans-woman

[Dreams]

http://www.change.org/petitions/dema...-a-trans-woman

please consider signing..

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Unfortunately, in Maryland, the answer is "be the male you are and use the men's room And look like a guy if you don't want to get beat up there."

I truly hope this events helps open their eyes. I want to see how this case unfolds, because surely they cannot dimiss this. They surely can't deny that this was an assault inspired by hatred or that something needs to be done to protect trans people.

@weatherboi and Dreams, thanks for linking us to the petition. I've signed it and passed it on. I hope everyone does the same!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Unfortunately, in Maryland, the answer is "be the male you are and use the men's room And look like a guy if you don't want to get beat up there."

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

I truly hope this events helps open their eyes. I want to see how this case unfolds, because surely they cannot dimiss this. They surely can't deny that this was an assault inspired by hatred or that something needs to be done to protect trans people.

@weatherboi and Dreams, thanks for linking us to the petition. I've signed it and passed it on. I hope everyone does the same!

That would certainly be fantastic, Ender, but I don't hold out much hope.

This just happened in February in Baltimore:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news...ruggled_f.html

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

That would certainly be fantastic, Ender, but I don't hold out much hope.

This just happened in February in Baltimore:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news...ruggled_f.html

Thanks for sharing the article, Dapper. This happens far too often. One thing that I hoped would spark change in this case is that it was caught on tape and happened in front of a number of witnesses who did nothing. I don't know why I thought that would make a difference, but I thought if they could actually see the brutality many transwomen face for themselves they would finally understand how badly transfolks need legal protection.

One thing I noticed with the article about Tyra as well as Crissy (and in articles on other transwomen who have been beaten or murdered) is that the reporters always see fit to include criminal records that include prostitution as well as charges related to poverty and prostitution. Why is this relevant to their deaths? Are the reporters implying that it is relevant? The sad reality for many transwomen is that their circumstances force them into sex work that often puts them in situations where they might suffer even more abuse. Those writing about their abuse and/or murder should take that into consideration when they start revealing these things to the public.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Thanks for sharing the article, Dapper. This happens far too often. One thing that I hoped would spark change in this case is that it was caught on tape and happened in front of a number of witnesses who did nothing. I don't know why I thought that would make a difference, but I thought if they could actually see the brutality many transwomen face for themselves they would finally understand how badly transfolks need legal protection.

One thing I noticed with the article about Tyra as well as Crissy (and in articles on other transwomen who have been beaten or murdered) is that the reporters always see fit to include criminal records that include prostitution as well as charges related to poverty and prostitution. Why is this relevant to their deaths? Are the reporters implying that it is relevant? The sad reality for many transwomen is that their circumstances force them into sex work that often puts them in situations where they might suffer even more abuse. Those writing about their abuse and/or murder should take that into consideration when they start revealing these things to the public.

This has been the case for women in general forever. Transwomen are certainly among the highest populations to be assaulted and killed within gender variant groups, yet, so much comes down to misogyny.

I am also thinking about transmen that have been assaulted because they arn't real men.

As the season of many Pride events is upon us, I hope there is more awareness of these kinds of hate crimes promoted. We all need to make a lot more noise about these crimes.

[EnderD_503]

A lot of ridiculous shit is being said in the media now. The article below is picking up on a trend in some media sources and blogs talking about this being a "racially motivated" hate crime. I am literally fuming right now and here is why (and posted this in the comments in site below as well):

a) calling this anything else than transphobia and even neglecting to call it transphobia (ie. "racially motivated") seems like they are covering up the severity and brutal reality of transphobia. b) it attempts to pit marginalized group against marginalized group instead of looking at it as cisgender women (or in other cases, cis people in general) assaulting a trans person solely because they are trans.

When is mainstream society going to take a good hard look at transphobia? It doesn't help that half of them don't even know what being transgender means. Homophobia is a term recognised in the mainstream, and I wish transphobia carried the same status as far as awareness of existence. The lack of awareness renders many transfolks invisible in these cases.

http://www.bilerico.com/2011/04/mcdo...ied_camera.php

But I am heartened by the fact that the petition going around has jumped from 4000 to 10,000 signatures in a matter of hours. When I read the comments on the petition I am both heartened and made aware of how much work there is to be done in educating people. I'm glad that many are appalled by the violence this transwoman faced at the hands of those two girls. But many seem to think transwoman = gay man in stereotypical female clothing. That needs to change. Their heart seems to be in the right place though.

Also, the "cameraman" has been fired, which I'm happy to hear. I think he should face charges, though, considering he was egging the girls on, telling them to leave before the police came and generally acting like this woman deserved to be assaulted.