Trans Day of Remembrance to mourn losses, celebrate progress
Philadelphia organizers are bringing a hopeful angle to the local observance of the annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which takes place from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 20 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
A ceremony has been held in the city for at least the last five years. This is the second time the event will include local performers to help celebrate progress in the transgender community, after the traditional reading of the names of those who have been lost to violence, including local murder victims Kiesha Jenkins and Londyn Chanel, and lighting candles in their memory.
The event is free and open to the public.
“A lot of people have said they’re tired of only coming together to mourn,” said Deja Lynn Alvarez, chairwoman of the committee organizing the event. “When it was first started, it was only about getting together for the losses. Quite honestly, at that point in time, all we had was loss. A lot of people don’t even realize the progress we’ve made in the community.”
Alvarez, who recently participated in a panel discussion with trans Latina activist Jennicent Gutiérrez, said the community is increasingly visible and vocal.
Attendees can share their experiences at the ceremony, Alvarez said.
She added the last hour will be dedicated to entertainment, featuring a singer under the trans umbrella who has auditioned for “American Idol” and “The Voice.”
Three trans youth will also perform.
— Paige Cooperstein
Council supports LGBT adoption rights
A Philadelphia City Council resolution supporting LGBT equality in adoption and foster-care matters throughout the country was expected to be unanimously approved Nov. 19.
The resolution, introduced on Nov. 12 by City Councilmember Cindy Bass and co-sponsored by all 14 of her colleagues, urges passage of the federal Every Child Deserves a Family Act.
The measure would ensure LGBT equality in adoption and foster-care matters throughout the country. It’s currently pending in a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Specifically, the measure would prohibit adoption and foster-care agencies from delaying or denying a person’s opportunity to become a prospective adoptive parent based on the person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.
“[The measure] will offer more children the chance to live with stable and loving families,” the resolution states. “Although the City of Philadelphia already has a nondiscrimination policy concerning sexual preference, gender identity or marital status for potential adoptive parents, other parts of the country are suffering.”
Shoshana Bricklin, legislative policy director for Bass, expressed support for the measure.
“As an attorney, I believe it makes no sense whatsoever — especially in light of marriage equality — to discriminate against LGBT couples in their quest to become families,” Bricklin told PGN. “It’s such an important issue, [and] we hope the rest of the country will follow Philadelphia’s example.”
PGN seeks Morris 911 recordings
PGN has filed an open-records request for all 911 recordings pertaining to the Nizah Morris incident in the possession of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
The request, filed Nov. 12, remained pending as of presstime.
Morris was a trans woman found with a fatal head injury in 2002, shortly after a courtesy ride from Philadelphia police. A key 911 transmission could clarify whether confusion between responding officers about Morris’ gender delayed a criminal investigation into her head injury.
Local investigators haven’t divulged the contents of the transmission, or of other 911 transmissions in the Morris case that appear to be missing.
The D.A.’s Office has stated that its only 911 recordings were provided by PGN. But the agency hasn’t certified that assertion under penalty of perjury.
Morris’ homicide remains unsolved, and advocates seek state and/or federal probes, citing concerns of a local cover-up.
— Timothy Cwiek