Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 13:26:07 -0800 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF - Tyra Hunter Wrongful Death Trials Opens MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editor: Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org TYRA HUNTER WRONGFUL DEATH TRIAL OPENS ====================================== [Washington, D.C.: 11 Nov 98] THE WRONGFUL DEATH trial of transwoman Tyra Hunter opened on Monday. Hunter's mother, Margie Hunter, brought the $10 million suit against a city Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a doctor at D.C. General Hospital for contributing to Tyra's death in 1995. Hunter was riding in a car that was involved in an accident on 7 Aug 95. The suit alleges that, as Hunter lay critically injured in the street, EMT Andrian Williams stopped administering first aid when he discovered Hunter's male genitals. "This ain't no bitch... He's got a dick and balls," Williams allegedly said and backed away from Hunter, joking and snickering for 5-7 minutes, while horrified onlookers implored him to treat Tyra. The suit also alleges that the doctor treating Hunter at D.C. General was not properly certified and failed to get Hunter to surgery to stop her internal bleeding. Both sides made opening statements on Tuesday. The trial resumes on Thursday. This case is being closely followed by national gay and lesbian groups as well as the transgender community. ### Subscriptions. Please contact: Subscribe@Gpac.org For prior releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1998 InYourFace GenderPAC's online news-only service for gender activism. ------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 02:47:11 -0800 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF - Tyra Hunter Wrongful Death Trial Continues MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMENTARY: THE TYRA HUNTER WRONGFUL DEATH TRAIL ================================================ [New York, NY: 15 Nov 98] There is a presence at this trial, unseen and unacknowledged, but intimately connected to the issues being argued. This presence is Tyra herself. The proceedings of the first week saw evidence about Tyrone Hunter's last hours, of how Emergency Room personnel erred or didn't in administer- ing life-saving measures at the hospital. All mentions of the victim are "Tyrone," "he," and "this man." Evidently Margie Hunter (Tyra's mother), who brought the $10 million suit, and her attorney feel that any mention of Tyra's lifestyle will alienate the jury. Yet the incident at the heart of this case revolves around Tyra's transexuality: an EMT ceased giving her first aid at the accident scene when he discovered her male genitals. That is, the EMT thought he was aiding a critically injured woman and, upon discovering genitals that didn't match his perception of her, backed off and started making jokes, leaving her unattended for 5-7 crucial minutes. We don't know how Tyra self-identified. She died at 24; she may have been on her way to exploring many possibilities of gender expression. But we do know that she chose the name Tyra, that she presented as a woman. When she died, she was living the life of a woman. Perhaps we will see Tyra emerge at this trial, if and when her mother's attorney makes an issue of the incident at the scene of the accident. Perhaps not. But for transgender observers, so far, it is sad to see one of us erased, as if she had never existed. When the going is light, we're amusing. When the going gets serious, we are unmentionable. -- Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org Subscriptions. Please contact: Subscribe@Gpac.org For prior releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1998 InYourFace GenderPAC's online news-only service for gender activism.