Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 10:39:50 -0500 From: David Elliot Subject: [NGLTF PRESS] Nebraska County failed Brandon Teena NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: David Elliot, Communications Director 202-332-6483 ext. 3303 800-757-6476 pager delliot@ngltf.org http://www.ngltf.org 1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC ********************************************* VERDICT IN BRANDON TEENA CASE SHOWS NEED FOR GLBT-INCLUSIVE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS AND SENSITIVITY TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS Dec. 9, 1999 - Earlier this week, a Nebraska District Judge found Richardson County, Nebraska, negligent in the death of Brandon Teena, whose murder sparked national outrage over discrimination against transgendered people. District Court Judge Orville Coady ruled that the county was negligent in failing to provide protection after Brandon Teena reported being raped by two men on Christmas Day 1993. The same two men murdered Brandon Teena six days later and were convicted of the crime. Judge Coady also awarded damages of $17,360 to the Brandon Teena estate - a small sum, given the county's failure to do its job, Brandon Teena's pain and suffering as well as youth and loss of earning potential. Kerry Lobel, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said the Brandon Teena tragedy demonstrates the need for strong civil rights laws that include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. She also said the case poignantly points out the need to teach law enforcement officials how to recognize and respond to hate crimes. "Had Richardson County done its job, Brandon Teena would in all probability be alive today. But Richardson County sent the message that transgendered people don't matter," Lobel said. "Transgendered people do matter, and we are going to remember this tragedy as we fight for sensitivity training, civil rights laws and the recognition that all of us, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, are cut from the same human cloth." Brandon Teena's story, documented by the award-winning film "Boys Don't Cry," helped create awareness in the gay, lesbian and bisexual communities and their allies about the oppression of transgendered people. Today, transgendered people increasingly are seen as an integral part of the GLBT movement for social justice. "We are pleased that Richardson County finally will be held accountable for its failure to protect Brandon Teena," Lobel said. "However, to assess the value of Brandon Teena's life at $17,360 is a chilling judgment. To find the county negligent and then to set such a small judgment sends a sorry signal about the worth of a human life." ____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Communications Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. To reach the NGLTF Communications Department at NGLTF, please call David Elliot, Communications Director, at 202-332-6483 x3303 or pager 800-757-6476. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.