(Please Forward to Trans Rights Groups and Organizations...and the Press, across the country!) Dear Friend and Ally, My name is Mariah Lopez. I am writing today seeking your active support in the new year around getting justice for dozens of murdered Trans individuals. Currently, I head S.T.A.R.R., a Trans rights group from NYC. Originally named S.T.A.R., founded in the 1970s by legendary Trans rights pioneers Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P Johnson, our name has changed, but our principles remain the same. S.T.A.R.R. is the oldest radical Trans rights group in the United States. I am also the daughter of S.T.A.R.R. Founder Sylvia Rivera. Sylvia adopted me as her protégé when I was only16, after hearing of my activism and historic legally victories around Trans rights in NYC (starting at age 13!). By declaring me her daughter, Sylvia was declaring that, of my generation, I was the one she would choose (and trust), to carry on her legacy when she passed on. Sylvia knew that I was just as dedicated to radical Trans activism as she was. She was also confident that I already knew how to create big change, just like she and other Trans pioneers had before me. Big shoes to fill. But I take this mandate and trust seriously, and I am devoted to Trans equality. It seems that her trust was both deserved, and earned. On my own, I am the most accomplished Trans activist since Stonewall. Through my legal cases or direct advocacy, I have helped create more lasting change than most other individual activist combined. The ripple effects of my victories cannot be understated. My cases and strategies have been duplicated around the world, and attention garnered by these cases, helped spark a larger conversation around Trans issues, especially around Trans youth, Trans prisoners, and Trans healthcare, that are national news today. Just like my mother, I am bold, tactful and choose to focus on the issues that have the most impact on Trans lives; issues that are the most pressing. Trans rights emergencies. These issues include police brutality against Trans individuals (including in Jails and Prisons); the lack of adequate Trans healthcare for ALL Trans individuals; and unsolved cold case MURDERS of Trans people! Trans people--especially Trans women of color--are being murdered at alarming rates. And on the international Transgender Day Of Remembrance, a day created to remember our dead, all we do is grieve. No ones seems to be talking about theses Murders; and how to get these cases solved. While it seems trans issues are receiving unprecedented attention from the media and the public, Trans murders continue, and the unsolved cases stack up. S.T.A.R.R. will not stand for this and we are demanding both justice, and action, from law enforcement across the country in the new year. There are still killers out there, and STARR wants to see them behind bars where they belong. S.T.A.R.R. also believes that, solving these cold cases will discourage future violent crimes against Trans individuals, and can help start the healing process for many families and loved ones of Trans people. But we need your help to create the kinda buzz and momentum we need. All you have to do to help, is encourage members of the Trans community TO REPORT (and follow up on!) cases of unsolved Trans murder, within their (your) own communities and regions. There is no statute of limitations on murder! Getting these cold case reopened will be a matter of people speaking up; and taking action! STARR will systematically assist individuals and organizations in REPORTING cold case Trans homicides to the appropriate authorities. All it takes to get a case reopened by law is a name! Where there is a murder, STARR will support the community where the murder took place, in pressuring the local authorities to apply resources and manpower around these unsolved killings. Facebook, the 24 hour media cycle, and social media vlogs, will be our best tool in pressuring authorities to do more, and getting people to remember our fallen brethren. How will STARR support Communities and individuals? STARR has helped establish a collective of attorneys and legal experts devoted to evaluating legal options around Trans discrimination and unsolved homicides. This team of lawyers will be available to individuals and organizations, in an effort to help folks navigate the proper channels within law enforcement, in order to facilitate communication between authorities and the community. Our strategy seems to be paying off. So far, STARR has been able to get authorities to re-open at least seven cold case murder investigations here in NYC. These cases include famous Trans names(such as Marsha P Johnson, Ali Forney and Venus Xtravaganza), to those who have been virtually forgotten, who havent received any publicity at all. Its time to organize our voice and demand justice for those who had their lives brutally stolen from them. Let public officials and the community know, NO MORE UNSOLVED TRANS MURDERS. We all know names. We can all do more. All we have now as Trans people--all the rights freedoms-- are in vein, if we allow our loved ones, and Trans ancestors be forgotten. Talk shows and media appearances are great, but we should all be talking about these injustices. We will be more united as a community if we do. Join STARR in 2015. Speak the names of the dead; it only takes a name. We owe them that much. With Deepest Respect Mariah Lopez STARR, Executive Director
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:21:53 +0000