[Tommi]

Thu, April 29, 2010
FTMI Announces April 29 Long Beach CA Rally for Attacked FTM College Student
. FTM_International_Discussion


From FTM International: A 27-year-old transgender student at Cal State Long Beach reported he was assaulted in a university men's room near Lecture Hall 151 at 9:30 p.m. on April 15. He was pushed into a stall, had his shirt pulled over his head and had the word "IT" carved into his chest with a knife. According to the CSULB Crime Statistics from 2004 to spring 2009 shown on the University Police website, this is the first hate crime to occur at CSULB, but the second assault to occur in the past school year. Last night a PFLAG event had speakers who addressed the attack. The following is a statement the Daily 49er received from Cal State Long Beach. April 28, 2010, "Statement from Colle Carpenter, graduate student who was attacked at California State University, Long Beach on April 15 On April 15, I was attacked while on a break from class at Cal State Long Beach. Since this happened to me, I have received respect and support from the university, far beyond what I expected. The campus police have made every effort to conduct a thorough investigation and have been especially concerned with respecting my wishes for privacy and for ensuring my safety. I'm aware the university has come under criticism regarding communications and response in general, but again, I feel that the administration' s response has been focused on the investigation and my well-being. I think it's really unfair that the university is being criticized. I requested time alone to heal privately with my family and the university honored that request. The university statement was released 20 minutes after I approved the sketch of the suspect. I appreciate the outpouring of support from the community. However, some people and organizations have directed their anger and fear toward the university instead of the person who did this. I think the most important thing for everyone to understand is the need to find and prosecute the person who hurt me. I chose to return to my classes and CSULB is doing everything possible to make sure I feel safe in that decision." As part of Take Back the Night, there will be a rally April 29 at CSULB 7pm, Maxson Plaza: Speaker's Rally 8pm: March through campus 9pm, Soroptimist House: InterACT performance skit: Sexual Assault, followed by Speakout facilitated by YWCA 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA