County of Santa Clara to Host a Pride with Purpose Rally
Reaffirming its commitment to stand against hate, violence and the rollback of federal policy protections, Office of LGBTQ Affairs ramps up outreach about essential programs for transgender community members
WHAT:
The County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs, community members and a coalition of stakeholders are kicking off Pride month with a rally to denounce violence faced by transgender community members and discriminatory policy changes from the Trump administration. Such changes include the HUD policy allowing federally funded shelters to consider sex at birth for purposes of determining accommodation and the Denial of Care Rule, which the County of Santa Clara is challenging in the U.S. District Court of California. The Pride with a Purpose rally also seeks to make the community aware of essential programs, services and resources for transgender community members.
“This year the Trump administration rescinded an Obama-era regulation that protects transgender patients under the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) allowed a Trump policy barring many transgender people from the military, and the administration moved to limit transgender rights in the workplace,” said Office of LGBTQ Affairs Director Maribel Martinez. ”This is unacceptable and definitely lacks the compassion and spirit of inclusiveness reflected in the LGBTQ community in Santa Clara County.”
In addition to institutional setbacks, violence is also on the rise for the transgender community despite progress and higher visibility. According to the Human Rights Campaign at least five transgender people have been violently killed in the United States in 2019. Last year, 26 transgender individuals were fatally shot or killed by other violent means.
On Saturday, May 18, in Dallas, Texas, Muhlaysia Booker, a black transgender woman who was previously assaulted and whose attack was made public after a video of the assault was shared via social media, was fatally shot. On Sunday, May 19, in North Philadelphia, Michelle Washington, a black transgender woman known as an advocate in the Philadelphia LGBTQ community died when she was shot multiple times. These two incidences come just a week after the fatal shooting of Claire Legato, a black transgender woman in Cleveland, Ohio. In Detroit on May 27, a transgender woman whose name has not been released, was fatally shot while standing outside of a gas station. On June 1, Johana Medina Leon, a 25-year-old transgender woman died after being released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Over the weekend, Dallas police discovered the body of Chynal Lindsay in a lake. Police said her body had “obvious signs of homicidal violence”.
“The violence perpetrated against Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle Washington and Claire Legato is inexcusable and my heart goes out to their families,” said County of Santa Clara Supervisor and Chair of the Public Justice and Safety Committee Susan Ellenberg. “Our LGBTQ community is an important facet of the diverse culture of Santa Clara County, California and the U,S,, and deserves to live without fear. As we continue to bolster our efforts within our own community around our culture of inclusion, we hope the rest of the country does the same. Enough is enough.”
”We are committed to supporting and protecting the rights of all our residents and our transgender and non-binary communities,” said County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith, M.D., J.D. ”We have zero tolerance for any kind of hate crime. Transphobic hate or violence and against our transgender community members is inexcusable.”
Recent incidents and national statistics show that fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women, primarily Black and Latinx transgender women, and paint a larger picture of a growing problem.
“No one should have to live in fear. We stand with the LGBTQ Community,” said Santa Cara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. “The District Attorney’s Office has no tolerance for hate crimes and will seek justice when a person is harmed because of their actual or perceived race, religion, disability, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.”
WHO:
County of Santa Clara Supervisors Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Dave Cortese and Susan Ellenberg
Jeffrey V. Smith, M.D. J.D., County Executive, County of Santa Clara
Erin West, County of Santa Clara, Deputy District Attorney
Maribel Martinez, Director, Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Community leaders and representatives of community-based organizations serving the LGBTQ community
WHEN AND WHERE:
Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 9 a.m.
County Government Center- James P. McEntee Plaza
70 West Hedding St., San Jose
WHY:
County of Santa Clara proudly upholds values of diversity, inclusion and justice. The County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs is actively working to assist and safeguard the rights and protection of the transgender and non-binary community locally. A variety of resources, essential programs and services are available to all community members. Visit the Office of LGBTQ Affairs Referrals and Resources web page for information on local resources and national hotlines.
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About the County of Santa Clara, California
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the sixth largest county in California. With a $7 billion budget, more than 70 agencies/departments and 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, offers quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health and environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, parks, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.
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Media Contact: Larry Little/Maribel Martinez, Office of LGBTQ Affairs, (669) 213-3183; Laurel Anderson/Marina Hinestrosa, Office of Public Affairs, (408) 299-5119.