 |
Activists Urge New York State |
|
Compiled by GayToday
Reverend Pat Bumgardner, during her eulogy speech at New York's Metropolitan Community Church, decried the fact that the movement Sylvia had helped spark had abandoned her and her community when it pressed for equal rights in New York state. Literally on her deathbed, Sylvia, who is described by her admirers as the 'Mother of the GLBT rights movement' is said to have held conference with a former head of the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA) urging his group to include transgenders in the current SONDA bill. Still, say transgender activists, this prime gay and lesbian advocacy organization in New York thus far has remained unmoved by Sylvia's pleas, or by her death. Executive Director of ESPA, Joe Grabarz, is said to have stated that those who believe that adding protections for gender non-conformity is just a simple task are "woefully naive." Changing the language, Grabarz reportedly stated, would "kill" the proposed bill.
"ESPA should immediately begin working towards a fully inclusive SONDA bill," stated NTAC Board Vice Chair, Vanessa Edwards Foster, excerpting from an undelivered speech prepared for Sylvia Rivera's memorial. Foster says that the pending SONDA bill, has "piqued the interest of the transgender community across the country. In honor of Sylvia Rivera, the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition urges ESPA to push for legislation about which everyone may be proud -- a fully inclusive Non-Discrimination Amendment. This will be a memorable vote, regardless of how the vote falls. We at NTAC hope it will be a vote that instills Pride in the entire GLBT community of New York. "We just lost a GLBT legend with the passing of Sylvia Rivera," Foster finished. "Let's hope a legacy is created in her memory. Let's make Sylvia proud!" |
Transgender activists are pushing for equal treatment under the New York Non-Discrimination Amendment in memory of Sylvia Rivera (above) who died last month 