Shepard, Wilchins chart paths to combat anti-LGBT hate

[Shana A]

http://www.nowingaychicago.com/2011/02/shepard-wilchins-chart-paths-to-combat.html

Sunday, February 13, 2011
Shepard, Wilchins chart paths to combat anti-LGBT hate
Written by Gary Barlow

CHICAGO – Two national figures in the fight to combat hate and violence against LGBTs discussed ways to address the issue with an audience largely composed of educators Feb. 10 at Loyola University Chicago's downtown campus.

[...]

Wilchins focused on issues related to gender. Transgender kids, especially black youths, she said, face "a silent epidemic" of violence directed against them.

"GenderPAC did a report on trans youth," Wilchins said. "We documented 53 kids killed from 1997 to 2006. That's a tremendous rate."

Transgender youths are often kicked out of their homes, she said, which leaves them with few options for survival.