Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 17:59:37 -0500 Subject: TYRA HUNTER CASE REOPENED BY DC FIRE DEPT. From: riki@pipeline.com (Riki Anne Wilchins) TYRA HUNTER CASE REOPENED BY DC FIRE DEPT. Contact: Tracey Conaty, (202)332-6483 ext.3303 [WASHINGTON, DC - December 4, 1995] Following meetings with the queer community, DC Fire Chief Otis Latin announced that he is reopening the investigation surrounding the death of Tyra Hunter. [See original releases below.] The announcement caps months of escalating pressure by queer activists, including ongoing work by GLOV (Gay Men & Lesbians Opposing Violence), articles about the case in the Washington Blade. Said Tracy Conaty of NGLTF, "Just as we suspected, DCFD's own documents proved that there was never an honest investigation into the treatment of Tyra Hunter." In October, 45 transgendered activists from around the country, including members of the direct action group, The Transexual Menace, demonstrated outside Mayor Marion Barry's office to demand justice for Tyra and a full investigation. In addition, uniformed members of the national organization for transgendered peace officers, TOPS (Transgender Officers Protect & Serve) met with both the Mayor and Chief Latin to vigorous press their concerns over what was widely perceived as the FD's continued stonewalling of the Hunter incident. Chief Latin had originally maintained the identity of the EMS technician who stopped treating Ms. Hunter and made taunting remarks as she lay dying was unknown. Following that, he maintained that the FD knew who had interrupted treatment, but could not ascertain who had made the taunts, and stated that in no case would the FD release the individuals' name. Chief Lation also previously asserted the FD had fully deposed all witnesses, when in fact there were civilian 8 witnesses documented by GLOV who stated they could clearly identify the technician in question. Documents only released following a Freedom of Information Act proceeding by GLOV and The Blade disclosed the DCFD never took from the EMS technician in question, or from 6 others who arrived at the scene at the time. Following statements from DCFD sources the Blade has identified the firefighter as Adrian C. Williams. Contacted by the Blade, Mr. Williams had no comment. The Tyra Hunter incident was highighted as part of a segment on TOPS and transgender activism on ABC's 20/20, aired Friday, January 19. [END] -- Another One, It Just Doesn’t Stop: Tyra Hunter Contacts: Ms. Tracy Conaty (202)628-4160 ex.3303 or Jessica Xavier at TheXGrrrl@aol.com [WASHINGTON, DC - August, 15] Every once in awhile a story hits and you remember how dangerous it is being a genderqueer in this society, even with regard to the most elemental human functions, like helping the sick and injured. Tyra Hunter, a young woman in Washington DC, was struck in a vicious hit-and-run auto accident on August, 7. EMS technicians were called and began ministering to her. Her injuries were already extremely severe and it was doubtful she would survive. In the course of treatment, a EMS technician cut open her pants and discovered that Tyra had a penis. According to witnesses, unbelievably he began laughing, referred to the prostrate, bleeding woman as a "bitch," and refused to render further medical assistance. Unmoved by bystanders calls that "It don’t make any difference, he’s [sic] a person, he’s a human being," the EMS technician allowed Tyra to lay on the pavement for the next 3-5 minutes while others continued treatment. Finally an EMS supervisor came over and began treaing Tyra. She died at a local hospital shortly thereafter. Over 2,000 people attended her funeral on August 12. Gay Men and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) have demanded an inquiry. Meanwhile the Fire Deparment has demanded its right to conduct an internal inquiry, which apparently began with refusing all comment and ended with a simple 1 page press release saying they could not determine what had occurred, in spite of the availability of 8 known eye witnesses. [END] -- Menace and TOPS Demonstrate for Full Investigation of Tyra Hunter Death & Cover-up Contacts: Tonye Baretto-Neto,TBHawk@aol.com [WASHINGTON DC - October 4] >From 8-9am this morning, over 40 gender activists from around the US, most participants in Lobbying Day, picketed outside Mayor Marion Barry’s office. Demonstrators, many in black Menace t-shirts, handed out over 800 fliers calling for a full investigation into Tyra’s death and an end to DC Fire Dept’s coverup. Deputy Sheriff Tonye Barreto-Neto of TOPS arranged a meeting with the Mayor, at which he pressed Mayor Barry to call for full inquiry into the EMS mistreatment of Tyra Hunter. He also somehow arranged a meeting between TOPS members (incl. Sgt. Stephan Thorn, Fire Capt Michelle Kamerer, and ex-Officer Marla Anselona) and DC Fire Chief Latin. Despite 8 eye witnesses, Chief Lation has maintained the FD cannot determine the actual events, so no investigation is necessary. During the meeting, TOPS representatives pressed hard for a full investigation, better sensitivity training, and an apology to Tyra’s mother (which was promised 2 months ago). Although the meeting occasionally grew heated, Chief Latin hid behind one transparent excuse after another, and rebuffed all attempts at resolution. [END]