June 29, 2009
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GLBT PROJECT (PART 1)
America demonstrates invincibly one thing that I had doubted up to now: that the middle classes can govern a State. … Despite their small passions, their incomplete education, their vulgar habits, they can obviously provide a practical sort of intelligence and that turns out to be enough. (Alexis de Tocqueville)
Date: 6/18/09
Re: GLBTA Project (Original Letter from me) (Part A)
To: Leaders of the Nonviolent Peaceforce of Greater Boston, and others,
I am in the process of working out plans where I work for a monthly Commemoration for those affected by anti-GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) violence. My plans are to have a separate table in the dining area at lunch time with a candle where people can come for a time of silence to commemorate those GLBT folks who have been killed or severely traumatized because of who they are. Last year, around 29 people were killed so I’m planning on perhaps two a month. However I would also like to add a few who have been severely beaten or injured – especially on those months when perhaps no one has died.
I would like to have a piece of paper with a blurb of the four or five being commemorated. I would like to honor them by describing them as people who have been violently victimized. This would be a table of silence where people can come up to the table, read the page, and sit quietly for a moment to pay their respects to honor those who have been victimized and then return to their table for their lunch.
I have said that I would be willing to be responsible for providing the candle and the printed pages and to sit at the table for an hour and a half each month. This would give those who are concerned for the violence which is performed against these people an opportunity to honor these people, and also give those people who are not concerned an opportunity to see why they should be concerned.
My problem now is to find a resource where I can go to obtain this level of information. I have found a web site for the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) which just issued the latest report on the total numbers last year. However I would like to find a site that will not just report the numbers in total, but will individualize the victims. I don’t want this to be faceless numbers, but real people who have suffered from this type of violence.
If any one of you can help me find such a site, I would really appreciate it.
