Petition for Just Treatment of Trans People in NYPD Custody

Transgender New Yorkers report experiencing verbal harassment, disproportionate arrests for ‘quality of life’ offenses, invasive and unlawful searches for the purpose of determining gender, and housing placement in NYPD custody that could expose them to harassment and violence while in NYPD custody. Activists are urging people to sign this petition insisting the NYPD adopt a fair policy towards transgender people in custody.

The Proposed Policy for the Treatment of Transgender People in NYPD Custody includes:

*NYPD officers will refer to an arrestee with the name and pronouns the arrestee has used to identify him or herself and not require proof of an individual’s gender or challenge an individual’s gender identity.

*NYPD officers will refrain from using slurs or making lewd, derogatory, or harassing remarks based on gender (including gender identity and expression), sex, or sexual orientation.

*NYPD officers will not ask personal questions about gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation or practices, or medical history unless necessary for an investigation.

*NYPD officers will not construe gender identity or expression as evidence that an individual has engaged in prostitution or any other crime.

*Under no circumstances shall NYPD officers frisk or search any person for the purpose of determining that person’s gender or to view or touch the person’s genitals.

*Placement decisions about a transgender arrestee will be based on a determination of where the individual will be safest
.

Inclusive St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC

Please join Irish Queers as we protest LGBT exclusion from the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. For 18 years, Irish and Irish American queers have been challenging the narrow definition of Irishness set forth by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a conservative, Catholic,
all-male organization that runs many St. Patrick's Day Parades across the country. As a right wing organization, the AOH prohibits all LGBT people and anyone that is pro-choice from OPENLY taking part in their events. Although the parade has been billed as the largest celebration of Irish culture in the world, the New York Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Catholic Archdiocese have redefined it as a private, religious event (taking place on public streets) where many Irish people are not welcome.

While our fight began in the 1990s within New York's Irish and church
institutions, we have learned that the City, the NYPD and the courts
are all willing to trample and erase the diverse fabric of the Irish
community. Our struggle is not just with the parade organizers and
Catholic hierarchy, but with military organizations, the NYPD, the
FDNY and other public servants who, while wearing their official uniforms,
use the parade to express sentiments of hate and superiority that would
not be allowed at other events.

Please join us on March 17th on Fifth Avenue @ 57th street (on the
west side) from 11am - 1pm. Stand up for a definition of Irishness
that values human rights and diverse communities!

For more information, write us at irishqueers@hotmail.com
http://www.stpatsforall.com/

Coalition to Stop False Arrests of Gay Men in NYC

There has been an epidemic in New York City of false arrests of gay men under the guise that they were solicited by prostitutes who were really undercover cops. Several adult porn shops and bookstores catering to men have been the target of the New York Police Dept. It is said that an attractive officer is sent to flirt with middle-aged gay men. The allegations are that the officer entices the man to have sex with him, and just before they leave the shop the officer says he wants to pay the man for sexual favors. Without knowing whether the man would agree to payment, the police surround the man and accuse him with attempt to do business with a prostitute.

Christine Quinn the NYC Council Speaker has called these “false arrests.” This raises serious questions as to why the NYPD is targeting gay adult shops, and why they are arresting people under these charges. The LGBT community has faced scrutiny from the police before, including bar raids, and trans-women being accused of prostitution simply for the way they dress and express themselves.

Outrage Over False Arrests Rally
Saturday, Feb 21st, 4pm Sheridan Sq, Christopher & Grove Sts.

For more info and to get involved please contact:

Coalition to Stop the Arrests
Robert Pinter, Coordinator
212-674-3495
STOPTHEARRESTS@aol.com