Vicki Estrada: Thoughts On The Hate Crimes Bill Signature By The President
by: Autumn Sandeen
Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 12:30:00 PM EDT
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/13818/guest-post-thoughts-on-the-hate-crime-bill-signature-by-the-presidentBelow is a guest post by my best friend Vicki Estrada.
By Vicki Estrada
Autumn Sandeen and Vicki Estrada at the Diversionary Theater premiere for 'Yank'Like any other weekday morning, I awoke this morning to the sounds of National Public Radio. An unusually cold morning for San Diego, I snuggled into bed for a few more moments of sleep and hopefully some last minute dreams which I so enjoy. Half asleep, I faintly hear the voice of Mara Keisling of the National Center for Transgender Equality on the radio saying what a historic day today (October 28, 2009) is for Transgender people. This afternoon, President Obama will sign the Hate Crimes Prevention Act which will be the first time Transgender people will be mentioned in a Federal Act in a positive way. For this topic to be National news is significant enough but the signing of this Act is quite historic. Will the mere signing of this Act stop transphobia and transgender hate? Not initially of course, but it will bring our cause, our existence, our plight to the public forefront and it will allow local agencies to better fight and track down those that will partake in hate crimes against us and hopefully, help prevent these hate crimes.
