SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT
SRLP works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence. Learn More
SRLP opposes the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Dear Friends, Please check out our recent statement at http://srlp.org/fedhatecrimelaw. Here's a section of it: "The recent expansion of the federal hates crimes legislation has received extensive praise and celebration by mainstream lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations because it purports to 'protec… Read More
Fundraising: SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT INC
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SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT INC (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit)
Recent Cause Activity
Dear allies in seeking justice for transgender New Yorkers whose rights are violated by the NYPD,
Many of you may recall the case of Christina Sforza, who was physically abused by a McDonald’s employee and by NYPD officers after she used a women’s restroom, which was the subject of an Amnesty International Urgent Action, as well as concerted community support by scores of community members who packed the courts and called for justice in her case. For more info, check out:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/docume...
Cristina filed a lawsuit against the NYPD in connection with these violations of her rights. The lawsuit not only makes individual claims in connection with the use of excessive force in her specific case, but also involves a Monell claim alleging that the NYPD has a pattern and practice of engaging in physical violence against transgender individuals, and seeking declaratory relief finding that such a policy or practice is unconstitutional.
Because the use of excessive force against transgender people is not based on any written policy of the NYPD (as far as we know!), we need to establish a de facto policy by demonstrating that this is a widespread and pervasive practice. We therefore need to collect information about incidents in which transgender or gender nonconforming individuals have been physically abused by NYPD officers ASAP!!!
The judge in the case, who is very hostile to Cristina’s claims, has set a deadline of NEXT FRIDAY, September 25th, to provide the names of people who have had experiences of physical abuse similar to hers. If you are aware of any such incidents, or are willing to ask your membership or clients about whether they have had such an experience, please contact Rose Weber at rose_weber@juno.com or (212) 748-3355.
She would really appreciate hearing back from you as soon as possible!
In struggle,
Andrea
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project is seeking three fulltime legal interns for the fall of 2009 Mission:
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. SRLP is a collectively-run organization that provides free legal services, advocates for policy reform, supports community organizing efforts, brings precedent-setting law suits, and educates the public to achieve our mission. SRLP is founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. Therefore, we seek to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming.
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project seeks legal interns for fall semester. This is an unpaid position. We are happy to assist interns in applying for credit or funding from other sources.
Responsibilities:
Interns at SRLP work on a range of issues affecting low-income transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming people of color, including prisoners' rights, name changes and identity documentation, discrimination in sex-segregated facilities, immigration, Medicaid, and more. Interns have their own caseload and the opportunity to work on their clients' cases in depth through conducting intake interviews, drafting pleadings in clients’ cases, advocating with government agencies and other entities, connecting clients with resources, and educating clients about their rights. Interns also assist with legal research and writing and factual development for impact litigation. They may participate in public education and community organizing support such as preparing "know your rights" materials and doing legal observation at actions.
Applicants must be law students or paralegals or have comparable legal background. Applicants must also be available to work for a minimum of 10 hours a week in our office in Manhattan during the fall semester. Fluency in Spanish is preferred. People of color, trans people, gender nonconforming people and people with intersex conditions are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and optional writing sample to Pooja Gehi at pooja@srlp.org as early as possible. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
NO APPROVAL DATE IN SIGHT: PROCEDURE TO PREVENT
TRANSPHOBIC DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE/WELFARE
A few weeks ago at a meeting with the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) we learned that the new procedure to address transphobic discrimination at HRA, which was developed over the last year with community input, is still not approved. In fact we learned that very little progress had been made. When asked when the procedure would be approved Jane Corbett, the Executive Deputy Commissioner of Constituent Services and Policy Improvement at HRA stated that she did not know when it would be approved.
This is unacceptable.
Our recent communication with HRA has been hostile – their admitted lack of progress amounts to a refusal by HRA to prevent Transphobic discrimination. Trans and Gender Non Conforming people face rampant Transphobia, discrimination and harassment when seeking to access welfare/public assistance in New York City every day. Every day that HRA does not approve the procedure this injustice continues.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Please continue to forward this email as widely as possible and continue to collect petitions and postcards. Thank you so much to everyone for all your support – to date we have over 900 signed postcards and petitions! Look out for upcoming announcements about future campaign activities.
Join us in continuing to pressure HRA and Support Justice for Trans and Gender Non Conforming people!
1) Sign the e-petition and get others to sign. http://www.ipetitions.com/petiti...
2) Collect HRA Postcards. We are also collecting signed postcards to send to HRA. You can either:
· Make your own copies - Download the HRA Postcard, print it, sign it, get others to sign and mail the signed postcards to TransJustice, ALP, 85 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Download postcard here
Or
· Request postcards - Contact Mya Vazquez at 718-596-0342 x 23 or mvazquez@alp.org , tell us how many you want and where to mail them to.
3) Get involved with the campaign. To volunteer with the campaign or get more information contact mvazquez@alp.org
TransJustice, a project of the Audre Lorde Project, is one of the first community organizing groups created by and for Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) People of Color in New York City. The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color Community Organizer Center based in Brooklyn, New York.
Campaign Background
Since 2005, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) communities in New York City have been urging the Human Resources Administration (HRA) to address the rampant Transphobia, discrimination, and harassment that Trans and Gender Non-Conforming people in New York City face when seeking to access welfare/public assistance.
In June of 2008, a week before the Fourth Annual Trans Day of Action (annual March organized by TransJustice of the Audre Lorde Project) which was set to protest at HRA headquarters, HRA officials agreed to meet with TransJustice to hear community concerns. After this first meeting with HRA in the Fall of 2008, TransJustice formed a committee of organizations including the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Housing Works, Queers for Economic Justice and others, to develop a HRA procedure to address transphobic discrimination at HRA. To date HRA has not approved this new procedure.
In 2005 the New York City Human Resources Administration and a Citizen Advisory Transgender Sub Committee developed Best Practice Protocols for Working With and Serving Trans and Gender Non Conforming Employees and Clients (the new procedure is based on this document), these protocols sat on the shelf for years and were never implemented nor adopted by HRA. This cannot happen again.
Demand that the Brooklyn District Attorney Drop the Charges Against Tiffany Jimenez
Call the Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes (718) 250-2000
Demand he Drop the Charges Against Tiffany Jimenez now!
In the early morning of Sunday May 17, 2009 several officers from the 77th Precinct came to the Ife Lounge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. They then entered the lounge and physically removed Jeanette Gray (Jg) who was working at the club as a promoter and photographer from the premises. Once outside again without justification they began to viciously assault her while yelling homophobic slurs. While these officers were assaulting Gray, other officers began to violently push the partygoers who were observing. Tiffany Jimenez, a partygoer, attempted to leave the area with her friends in order to avoid the conflict. Officers pushed Jimenez to the ground and attacked her. Both Gray and Jimenez were arrested. Gray was charged with Criminal Trespass and Resisting Arrest. Both charges were subsequently adjorned in Contemplation of Dismissal. Jimenez was charged with disorderly conduct.
In a blatant effort to cover up their misconduct, police claimed that Jimenez was so highly intoxicated that she had to be taken to the hospital on the night of the incident. This allegation is blatantly false. Jimenez was never taken for medical treatment of any kind while in police custody, only seeking treatment for the injuries she suffered at the hands of the police after she was released from police custody.
How you can support:
1. Call the DA, 718.250.2000 and text us at 347-721-1309 to let us know that you've called
2. Text, call, or email at least 10 people to do the same
3. Donate to the Living Against Violence Fund to support both Tiffany and Jg's medical, living, and legal expenses. https://www.networkforgood.org/d... Please specify “LAV-JG”
4. Get involved with organizations like the Audre Lorde Project and Make the Road NY.
What to say:
Hi, my name is __________________________ and I?m calling in support of Tiffany Jimenez.
On May 17th, Tiffany was assaulted and subjected to homophobic verbal abuse by police officers at the IFE Lounge in Crown Heights Brooklyn. She was then arrested and taken into police custody, where she experienced additional violations of her rights. I?m calling to demand that the charges against Tiffany Jimenez be dropped and that assault charges be brought against the officers who violated her rights
About the Audre Lorde Project and the S.O.S. Collective
The S.O.S. Collective works to challenge hate and police violence that affects LGBTSTGNC (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Two-Spirit, and Gender Non-Conforming) people of color in Central Brooklyn. We are guided by the belief that strategies that increase the police presence within our communities do not create safety. Therefore we believe in fighting the root causes of violence by building stronger relationships within our communities to prevent, intervene, and hold attackers accountable outside of the system.
The Audre Lorde Project is a community organizing center of LGBTSTGNC people of color. Through mobilization, education and capacity-building, we work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. Committed to struggling across differences, we seek to responsibly reflect, represent and serve our various communities.
About GLOBE and Make the Road NY.
Globe is a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people primarily from communities of color in Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Brownsville and other parts of central and north Brooklyn. Our mission is to empower our communities through organizing and education. Our membership is intergenerational, ranging from age 14-50+. Globe is one of the few New York City groups founded by, led and constituted by low-income LGBTQ people of color organizing around public policy issues that have impact at the city-wide, state-wide and national level. Globe is a project of Make the Road New York.
With over 5900 members, and offices in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, Make the Road New York (MRNY) is the largest membership-based immigrant organization in New York City. Make the Road New York promotes economic justice, equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers through community and electoral organizing, strategic policy advocacy, leadership development, youth and adult education, and high quality legal and support services.
