August 26, 2011
Transgender Individuals Shot, DC Responds With Decreased Victims
Services
Gray Administration Slashes Services Despite 300 percent Increase in
Violence
Two transgender women and man were shot last night, adding to the 300
percent increase in violence against LGBT individuals since 2010, and
exposing the recklessness of Mayor Vincent Gray’s decision to cut victim
services in Washington, D.C. An off-duty Metropolitan Police Officer has been arrested and charged in relation to the incident. At this time, it appears none of injuries sustained are life-threatening. HIPS’ crisis team has mobilized and is providing support to the victims.
Year-to-date, HIPS has provided emergency shelter to six transgender
victims whose crimes occurred after-hours, answered more than 700 calls
from Transgender individuals on our hotline, and recorded more than 60
incidents of violence perpetrated against LGBT individuals – a 300
percent increase from 2010. In August alone, HIPS has responded to three
transgender victims of gun violence and 126 hotline calls between the
hours of 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. In July, Lashay Mclean, a transgender woman,
was brutally murdered in Northeast DC.
“Decreasing victim services is never an option, particularly now when
violence against LGBT individuals is, according to our own date, on the
rise,” said Cyndee Clay, executive director of HIPS. “It doesn’t make
anyone safer-it just leaves people on the street with no access to the
care and services that any and all people deserve. This is an
irresponsible move on the part of Mayor Gray.”
HIPS is calling on:
The District of Columbia to actively address the targeting of
transgender individuals in our city.
The Metropolitan Police Department to pursue investigations
thoroughly, and ensure their officers are trained to appropriately and
respectfully respond to hate crimes and all violence against LGBT
individuals.
The resident of our city to actively work to end hate crimes and
violence against LGBT people, sex workers, and other people who
experience high rates of violence.
HIPS will be participating in a rally tonight at 6pm at 1st
and Pierce St, NW Washington, DC 20001 to honor transgender victims of violence and to shed light on the increase in violence against the transgender community. We invite all those who oppose violence in our city to join us.
