Jenna Talackova Can Compete, But the Fight Against Trans Injustice Rages On

[Shana A]

Laverne Cox
Actress, producer and transgender advocate; co-creator and star, 'TRANSform Me'

Jenna Talackova Can Compete, But the Fight Against Trans Injustice Rages On
Posted: 04/ 9/2012 6:08 pm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laverne-cox/jenna-talackova-can-compe_b_1413062.html

Many of the trans folks I have talked to were over the moon when Donald Trump announced on Friday's 20/20 that the discriminatory ban on trans women competing in the Miss Universe pageant would be lifted, not only allowing Jenna Talackova to compete but opening the pageant to trans women who want to compete in the future. This is something many of us called for just last week. If only other transgender-related civil rights struggles could be resolved this quickly! For example, we have been trying to get the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) passed in New York for the past 10 years. In the state of New York It's still legal to fire transgender people from our jobs just for being trans. Trans people face disproportionate amounts of discrimination in housing and health care and are often victims of violence simply for being who we are. Jenna's victory against discrimination in the Miss Universe pageant will be for naught if we don't use it to shine a light on the struggles that have yet to be won for trans people around the world.

I initially wanted this piece to go on to talk about the problematic line of questioning Barbara Walters used to interview Jenna on 20/20, a line of questioning that transgender people all over the country were dismayed by and found cringeworthy. Walters asked Jenna a series of questions that sensationalized Jenna's story by focusing too much on surgery and body parts, under the rubric of asking questions everyone wants to know the answers to without really questioning why people want to know these things. This is a huge issue when it comes to representing trans people in the media. I encourage everyone to read the chapter of Julia Serrano's book Whipping Girl titled "Before and After: Class and Body Transformation." She illuminates this problem brilliantly.

[queerkristina]

I agree, the sensationalization surrounding her story has been ridiculous. However, we need to raise the level of discourse around the topic. I agree with this article. There are much bigger issues. Jenna's story has raised the national profile, but there are much more important issues. CeCe's issue is so important because its not just an issue about the transgender community. She is also a woman of color. You cannot talk about CeCe's case without talking about the fact that she is a person of color. If she was white she probably would nto have been sentenced nearly as harshly. Look at Zimmerman. He hasn't even been taken into custody. We have to start thinking intersectionally. To ignore the intersections is ignore all posibility of expanding our circle of allies.

[peky]

They do not tell us what made the Donald change his mind; was his high sense of justice, or was it the threat of an expensive -bad PR- law suit?

[Shana A]

They do not tell us what made the Donald change his mind; was his high sense of justice, or was it the threat of an expensive -bad PR- law suit?

I'd guess the second.

Z

[Jamie D]

I agree, the sensationalization surrounding her story has been ridiculous. However, we need to raise the level of discourse around the topic. I agree with this article. There are much bigger issues. Jenna's story has raised the national profile, but there are much more important issues. CeCe's issue is so important because its not just an issue about the transgender community. She is also a woman of color. You cannot talk about CeCe's case without talking about the fact that she is a person of color. If she was white she probably would not have been sentenced nearly as harshly. Look at Zimmerman. He hasn't even been taken into custody. We have to start thinking intersectionally. To ignore the intersections is ignore all possibility of expanding our circle of allies.

The criminal trial of Chrishaun "CeCe" McDonald is not scheduled to begin until April 30.

At about 12:30 in the morning on June 5, police responded to a report of a stabbing at the intersection of 27th Avenue South and 29th Street in Minneapolis, which is outside of Schooner Tavern. According to McDonald's supporter Katie Burgess, from the Trans Youth Support Network, McDonald was walking toward Rainbow foods with a group of friends — her partner, two other transgender women and two gay black men. Burgess says that three older white people who had been in Schooner Tavern called out transphobic slurs, and a fight broke out, resulting in McDonald's face being slashed with a piece of glass. According to supporter Jude Ortiz, the glass went all the way through her cheek.

What happened next is the crux of the case against McDonald. Did she stab Dean Schmitz with a scissors? McDonald allegedly denied doing so at the beginning of her interrogation, according to Izek's motion, but then claimed that the victim ran into a pair of scissors that McDonald was holding.

After being arrested, McDonald was taken to HCMC, and then was taken to City Hall for questioning. After initially meeting Gaiters and Holthusen, she waited three hours before being questioned.

McDonald was treated for two lacerations on her face, one that was 2.5 cm and one that was .8 centimeters. She was given a local anesthetic, stitches, 1000 mg of Tylenol for pain and an intermuscular injection for tetanus, according to the motion. However, McDonald's medical records were not yet submitted as evidence in time for Monday morning's hearing, so Izek was unable to ask questions to Holthusen regarding these points.

The defense contends that McDonald's  "bodily injuries, weakened physical state, and prolonged detention rendered Ms. McDonald incapable of making a knowing and intelligent waiver of those constitutional protections," according to the motion.

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/12/05/cece-mcdonald-goes-court-hearing-miranda-rights-minneapolis

Given the facts as stated above, it seems to me the prosecutor has over-charged the case.  It really sounds like a case of self-defense.

[queerkristina]

it's a pretty clear case of self defense. However, because she is a trans woman of color it would not surprise me if she gets convicted.

[Jamie D]

it's a pretty clear case of self defense. However, because she is a trans woman of color it would not surprise me if she gets convicted.

I personally don't believe gender or color have anything to do with the charges.  I think those dstem from self-incriminating statements.

Rule number one:

Don't ever allow yourself to be questioned without a lawyer present - if if you are completely innocent.