By Blaine Stum
A transgender woman brutally beaten at a local bakery is not a headline you do often see. Yet, this happened in Spokane just last week when two drunk men harassed, then assaulted, a trans woman for doing nothing more than existing as a transgender woman. This happens all too often; and all too often the response is silence. We cannot be silent because the perpetrators of the crime are speaking loud and clear.
The nature of hate crimes is that they are meant to send a message to victim and anyone like them. The assailants are saying, “You do not belong here.” This is message we cannot accept. Spokane is home to a vibrant, resilient trans community. Every single one of them deserves the same dignity, respect and safety that we ask for ourselves. That our society has yet to accept this shows how far we have to go before we can truly live up to the promise of equality that this nation was founded on.
If we want to send a message, we need to be louder. We need to show what love and respect can do. We need to show the trans community that they belong. If you want to your show your support, I encourage people to come down to Open Forum tonight at 6 p.m. during the City Council meeting and let the city know why it is so important that we all support the transgender community. City Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Lets not and just say we did.
Blaine, thank you for raising awareness of such events in our own city. We grieve, we lament, and we pray for all those who become targets or victims just by being themselves in public.
The Apostle Paul told the Galatians that faith is active in love. And love encompasses justice. I hope love can live in our city.
Good job bringing attention to a minority group often oppressed and overlooked.