(Muncie, IN) A transgender woman and her partner and child are alleged to have been inhumanely treated, dehumanized and disrespected while making a visit to the emergency center of Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie.

On July 18, 2010 the transgender citizen was coughing up a large volume of blood and was taken to the hospital by her life partner.  Despite the fact that the intake personnel were shown the individual’s Indiana state identification which had her female marker in clear print, she was entered into the hospital’s system as a male.

The staff allegedly ridiculed the transgender person, loudly referring to her as “IT”. Her life partner was apparently asked by individual staff members, with raised voices, if she was a “He-She”.  The patient also claims that she was quizzed about her length of time as a “Transvestite” when she clearly identified herself verbally and through official documents as a Transgender Female.

“It appears that a grave injustice may have been perpetrated against a transgender citizen of Indiana, as well as to her life partner,” stated Vivian Benge, President of the Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance.

Ms. Benge continued “This situation is particularly discomfiting as Ball Memorial is the hospital where Ball State University students go for emergency treatment.  There are a number of transgender BSU students, as well as other minority students, and they should not have to fear humiliation and refusal of medical care in the emergency room.”

The transgender woman is suspected to have a lung condition that may be the cause of mass bleeding and oral expulsion of blood.  Yet, according to the individual, Ball Memorial Hospital refused to provide treatment, with the accompanying statement to the effect of “we do not know how to treat someone like her”.  This happened after a long wait to be seen by a physician.

As leaders and advocates for the protection of transgender civil rights, Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance and Indiana Equality urge Ball Memorial Hospital to conduct a thorough investigation of these allegations.

“If the events are proven to be true, we call upon Ball Memorial Hospital to take appropriate actions with the hospital employees involved and to institute policies, procedures and staff training that will ensure that such discriminatory actions are not again perpetrated, “ stated Jon Keep, President of Indiana Equality.

A copy of the letter by Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance and Indiana Equality to Ball Memorial Hospital is attached.

The Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance (INTRAA) is a statewide advocacy organization working to create a society that values and protects freedom of gender expression and the right to gender self-determination for all. For more information about INTRAA, please visit the organization’s website at www.intraa.org.

Organized in 2003, Indiana Equality’s mission is to end sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in Indiana.  For more information about Indiana Equality, please visit the organization’s website at www.indianaequality.org or call (888) 567-0750.

Media Contact:

Vivian Benge
(317) 402-1408

Mark St. John
(317) 847-545

Presented by the UUI Social Justice Committee and partially underwritten by the UUI Beacon Fund, the proceeds from VDAY 2010 (www.vday.org) will benefit INTRAA.

Show dates: Thursday, February 25, Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27, at 7 P.M. at UUI.  (ASL interpretation on Feb. 26 and 27.)

Location:  Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, 615 W. 43rd Street (www.uui.org)

Tickets: $15 general admission; $10 students/seniors. Buy tickets from cast members; at UUI on Sunday, Feb. 21, 10 A.M. to 12 noon, or e-mail vdayuui2010@yahoo.com for reservations. Cash or check only. Also available at the door!!!

Directed by Jenni White, The Vagina Monologues features the following fabulous women: Diana Asberry-Ferber, Emma Bennett, Susan Boatright, Jordan Brooks, Ali Curtis, Kelsey Didion, Tatjana Gordon, Kelly Graham-MacDonald, Ruth Hinkle, Lesley Meier, Casey O’Leary, Pat Pontis, Stephanie Robertson, Emma Said, Shannon Samson, Danna Sheridan, Grace Starke, Kim Stroup, Lia Treffman, Michele Turner, Malia Vanaman, Becca White, Jenni White, Marguerite Winslow and Tasha Zaroui.

http://events.vday.org/2010/community/Indianapolis_(TVM)

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Saturday, November 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location:  Jesus MCC – 2950 East 55th Place
Co-Sponsors:  INTRAA, IYG & Indy Black Pride
Entertainment:  John Cannaday – Holiday Music Sing-A-Long

Those who are able are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Turkey & ham provided! Everyone is welcome! It’s free! Indy Pride Scholarships will be awarded.

Saturday, November 14th, 6 to 8 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis
615 W. 43rd St.
Indianapolis, 46208

This year’s event will begin with a live performance of the compelling short play “Transactions,” directed by Jeffrey Barnes, and will include a moderated panel discussion, memorial vigil, and conclude with refreshments and fellowship until 9pm. We hope you’ll join us!

Claire Dana
INTRAA Project Manager
tdor@intraa.org

The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgendered — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgendered people.

We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence, especially since the events of September 11th. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgendered people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgendered people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.

Although less far-reaching than a previously proposed Human Rights Ordinance, Executive Order No. 1-2009 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in any municipal employment. The statement of administrative policy also directs departments and other internal operations of City government to:

• Update the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy and employment manual.
• Discuss discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in related employee training sessions.
• Incorporate standard language prohibiting this form of discrimination in all appropriate documentation, reporting such efforts to the City Controller.

The Executive Order became effective today when Luecke signed his name to the two-page document.

“The City of South Bend is a progressive community that believes in freedom and equality of opportunity for all. We treat everyone with dignity and respect,” Luecke said. “This order ensures that my administration will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in employment decisions, including hiring, firing, promotion, compensations or other terms and conditions of city employment.”

Any City employee or applicant for employment with the City of South Bend who experiences employment-related discrimination – whether because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or heterosexual – is encouraged to report such incidents to the Division of Human Resources, which will investigate and attempt to resolve the concerns. City employees are also encouraged to report incidents to their supervisor, department head or a Human Resources representative.

An executive order is a statement of administrative policy issued by the mayor and applicable only to the internal operations of city government. It does not impact private employers.

Although this represents Luecke’s first executive order, the mayor indicated he may issue executive orders “from time to time on matters within the scope of Mayor’s office.” Executive orders are a common tool used in governmental executive branches from mayors and governors to the president.

The South Bend Human Rights Ordinance already prohibits City government from discriminating against anyone based on race, color, disability, religion, sex, age, national origin or veteran status. Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination includes being treated differently or harassed because of real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Contact:  Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564, or City Attorney Chuck Leone, 235-9241.

Anything less than full inclusion is unacceptable.  Accordingly, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (END) as currently proposed, cannot be accepted, supported or promoted by Indiana Equality.

It has become evident that adding LGBT persons to local and state civil rights laws is not only possible but crucial.  Adding only the right to employment at the Federal level will do little to protect the civil rights of all citizens.

It is the beginning of a new era, and many state organizations have proven that ‘better’ is attainable.  Just as the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for full civil rights inclusion, LGBT persons must expect full protections and rights.

A Realistic View of ENDA

Clearly, ENDA doesn’t make us equal – rather, it creates a new form of segregation.  It does not provide protections in housing and public accommodations.  There are no protections for LGBT children in the public schools where administrators continue to turn a blind eye to harassment and brutality.  With ENDA, we are only marginally protected in the workplace.

LGBT citizens have a unique opportunity today to secure full civil rights protections. Thus, Indiana Equality believes that:

• State level efforts to have fully inclusive civil rights language added to state codes could be adversely affected if ENDA, as currently proposed, was to be enacted
• Incrementalism on civil rights has rarely succeeded
• LGBT people are de facto second-class citizens, but a bill to secure only one civil right for us would treat us, de jure, as different from any other minority–and effectively second class
• We now have an unprecedented opportunity to push for full civil equality, protecting our individual liberties and our families in the areas of employment, housing, education, and public accommodations
• Creating a separate coverage for sexual orientation and gender identity/expression sends the message that these classifications are somehow less worthy than others of protection and support

Indiana Equality urges a national discussion regarding of the need for full inclusion in the federal Civil Rights Act.  What we need is what we should seek.

(Lambda Legal: Gary, Indiana) — Late yesterday the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana denied Gary high school’s motion to dismiss a case brought by transgender former student Kevin  “K.K.” Logan, a feminine male who was barred from prom because he wore a dress.

“We are thrilled that K.K. Logan will have a day in court, and that the school’s discriminatory policies can be challenged,” said Jim Madigan, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Midwest Regional Office in Chicago.

The court held that Logan may challenge the dress code policy as a violation of the First Amendment rights of all Gary students.

In December 2007, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of K.K. Logan challenging a Gary School Corporation policy barring clothing that advertises sexual orientation or indicates that a student’s gender is different from the student’s sex. Logan argues that the policy violates students’ First Amendment freedom of expression.  Logan also claims that his exclusion from prom constitutes discrimination on the basis of gender.  West Side High School filed a motion to dismiss the case in February 2008 leading to today’s ruling.

Students and teachers knew that K.K. Logan was gay for years.  During his senior year, Logan attended West Side High expressing a deeply rooted femininity in his appearance and demeanor. At school, Logan wore makeup, accessories and clothing typically associated with girls his age.

However, on May 19, 2006, Principal Diane Rouse stretched her arms across the door of the senior prom, blocking Logan’s entrance because Logan was wearing a dress. Classmates and friends rallied to Logan’s defense to no avail—even though a female student was allowed to attend dressed in a tuxedo.

Principal Rouse enforced a Gary School Corporation policy that forbids any clothing or accessories that “advertise sexual orientation” or “portray the wearer as a person of the opposite gender.”

The case will proceed to trial in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

The case is Logan vs. Gary Community School Corporation et al.

Jim Madigan, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Midwest Regional Office in Chicago and Cole Thaler, Lambda Legal’s Transgender Rights Attorney are handling the case with co-counsel from the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP in Chicago.

Related Story

Video of K.K Logan and Family Interviewed

He will be talking about, among other things, Kings, Queens, and Everything In Between, the upcoming INTRAA drag show, so be sure to tune in!

Listen to the show streaming online at the scheduled time, or download it later.

Drawing from a wealth of Americana traditions, from blues to bluegrass, Coyote Grace builds on the legacy of singer/songwriters born to boldly transform the face of American folk music, such as Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Indigo Girls, Gillian Welch, Bob Dylan, and Ani Difranco. Coyote Grace uses acoustic folk instrumentation and subconscious wordcraft to twist and mold traditional folk forms into a new breed of complex, soulful songsmithing.

With Courtney Robbins.

Visit Coyote Grace’s website.

To find out more information, please visit us on the web at: www.anotherbookstore.net or call #574-254-1411.