For Transgender Youth, Oakland Murder Hits Close to Home
Posted: May 13, 2012
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=ead64026035e79ff1a4c55d7b89329feOakland police are currently investigating the April 29 fatal shooting of Brandy Martell, a 37-year-old African-American transgender woman. Friends and community members are pushing for the murder to be considered a hate crime, claiming that Brandy was targeted due to her gender identity. Until last year, Brandy worked as a peer counselor at the Tri-City Health Center's TransVision program, and she helped organize Alameda County's last five Transgender Day of Remembrance events. New America Media's Jessica Arevalo asked Vanessa Rochelle, a 21-year-old City College of San Francisco student who identifies as transgender, how young people in the San Francisco Bay Area are responding.
How has the murder of Brandy Martell impacted your friends and community?
The murder of Brandy Martell has impacted my entire community. I've noticed my trans brothers and sisters rallying together to gain exposure on issues, raise awareness, and strive to come together as a community no longer divided. On the other hand, for those of us who knew or worked with Brandy, the thought of us having lost such a strong and powerful leader and role model of the community hits us hard. The fact that there are so few positive icons who can set younger generations on the right path to success and happiness, and the few that there are seem to be picked off one by one, is greatly distressing and leaves me wondering about the future and security of my brothers and sisters.
