When Is It Going to Stop?

[EnderD_503]

I know there is a thread already for remembering trans people lost to violence, but I really thought this deserved its own thread. Trans people are still systematically discriminated against, beaten, harrassed and killed and it seems all some people can do is sit back and laugh or act like trans people are overreacting.

The below link is to a video of a transwoman being brutally beaten by a group of women at a McDonald's in Baltimore. The video is really disturbing and I had trouble watching it all the way through, so consider yourself warned.

What's so horrible is that only the McDonald's manager and an elderly woman tried to stop the group of women from beating this transwoman. Other employees stood back and watched, laughing while filming the scene on their cellphones. What the fuck kind of idiot does that? A person is being assaulted in front of you by a group of people and you sit back and laugh, trying to catch it on film? They're lying there bleeding and you do nothing? When is this shit going to stop?

http://www.bilerico.com/2011/04/tran..._mcdonalds.php

[atomiczombie]

This type of behavior is so sickening. I want to vomit after watching that, and I didn't finish all the way through it.

The gay and lesbian community has people like Ellen, Elton John, and Barney Frank to name just a few people who are out and proud in the public sphere. I cannot think of anyone besides Chaz Bono who has that kind of presence in public life to put a face to our diverse community. If people don't know who we are they are much more likely to feel comfortable treating us like dirt.

We need to stand up for ourselves and for trans allies to stand up for us too, and together, let people know that this won't be tolerated or swept under the rug.

For those of you reading this who aren't trans identified, will YOU stand with us to fight this hate?

[princessbelle]

It's good you brought attention to this IMO. *We* need to at least hear about these things. I, myself, can't watch this but reading about it is a wake up reminder that all is not well in the world...far from it.

I as many would not stand and watch. It is good to remind ourselves if we ever do get in that situation to act. It is shocking and i'm sure you get stunned a bit. But, knowing it goes on and thinking about situations will give us an edge to do something. I'm not a strong person...but I'd certainly go down fighting if i saw ANYONE being attacked ....especially witnessing something like this.

Thanks for posting.....

[Scorp]

I watched it through. This may make me NO better than those two fuckers who did this to that woman with what I'm about to say. My blood was boiling, I don't give a royal fuck if the person getting beat up was male, female, trans, gay, straight, bi, purple, green, etc.....NO ONE deserves to be treated that way EVER!!!! This pissed me the fuck off so bad that if I had those two fucks in front of me I would have went ballistic on them physically and mentally. I sure the fuck would have smacked the shit out of those two bitches for doing that to a living soul. (and yes, I'm using that "B" word that some may think is inappropriate) If so, then go right ahead and REPORT ME and/or Time Me Out. How dare anyone lay a hand on ANYONE especially in a barbaric way like this. I sure the fuck would have stepped in and done something about it without having to even give it a thought.

And yes, moreso, the fucker recording this with his cell phone should also get penalized for this. Did you see the older woman go over and try to break this up?? Good for her for getting involved. Anyone else who sat by and watched this should be ashamed of themselves. What the fuck is wrong with people????? Nice fuckin' world huh?

This sort of thing just sends me over the edge and I'm beyond pissed off right now.

[Luv]

I wrote an e-mail to McDonalds and attached the video to the e-mail

[Liam]

Violence has become entertainment for many people. Sad, but true.

[wolfbittenpoet]

We are romans laughing at the despair of others without the bread. You've gotta wonder if this is why civilizations fall. When people become so disillusioned or perhaps so desensitized to violence that most people will not step in, humanity falls another step down. It's beyond upsetting. These morons have allowed themselves to dehumanize someone simply because they are different. This may not make sense to some but you have to wonder who really is commiting the worse crime. The morons who tried to kill the poor woman or the punk who filmed it all for a laugh.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Bump.....,

[Jesse]

...and people wonder why I dislike being outed?

[Spork]

I thought, at first, people are warning about this video (here and in the comments on that website), I shouldn't watch it. But, words cannot describe brutality. So, I watched it.

This HAS to be seen.

We cannot cross our arms, and look elsewhere.

Those people are evil. EVIL. Reminds me of the recent thread about knowing psychopaths. These people are all psychopaths.

Laughing and filming her while she was having a seizure, from all the kicks and punches to her head. Seeing that elder woman nearly throwing herself on top of her, to try and protect her. She almost got beaten, too. The manager doing nothing! Half-heartedly telling the women to stop their attacks. Looking at the woman while she was having a seizure, and just walking away.

Watch the video. Do not turn your back on her, like these... non-people did.

[scootebaby]

i dont know whether to cry or be angry or both..this just totally blew my mind. I can not believe all those people just stood around,and that managers behavior was even worse. Everyone of those employees should be fired, AND charged. I tried to figure out how to email the company,but my lack of knowledge on these things prevented me from figuring it out. My heart goes out to this woman!

[DapperButch]

This place is within driving distance for me. If anyone hears of any events to raise awareness at this location please post it up/PM me.

Thanks.

ETA: Article in local paper mentioned in article: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/mar...,4613709.story

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

This place is within driving distance for me. If anyone hears of any events to raise awareness at this location please post it up/PM me.

Thanks.

ETA: Article in local paper mentioned in article: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/mar...,4613709.story

Additional note: This incident appears to have occured in Baltimore County, MD, not Baltimore, MD.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by YouForgotTheSpoon

I thought, at first, people are warning about this video (here and in the comments on that website), I shouldn't watch it. But, words cannot describe brutality. So, I watched it.

This HAS to be seen.

We cannot cross our arms, and look elsewhere.

Those people are evil. EVIL. Reminds me of the recent thread about knowing psychopaths. These people are all psychopaths.

Laughing and filming her while she was having a seizure, from all the kicks and punches to her head. Seeing that elder woman nearly throwing herself on top of her, to try and protect her. She almost got beaten, too. The manager doing nothing! Half-heartedly telling the women to stop their attacks. Looking at the woman while she was having a seizure, and just walking away.

Watch the video. Do not turn your back on her, like these... non-people did.

No, we cannot remain idle. The video was really difficult to watch, really difficult. It is everywhere- and it does have to stop. For transpeople and everyone else that society can't or won't understand.

Just last week another transwoman was attacked in SF. Freakin' SF!! As a butch, I won't ride rapid transit here in the East Bay alone at night.

Assaults againt transwomen and men and all gender variant people has to be addressed in solidarity among the entire LGBTIQ community- ALL organizations representing us need to join forces and be LOUD with outrage and clear about not taking this!

We live in a society in which this goes on as well as things like the gang rape of a 16 year old girl at her HS prom here in CA as up to 30 other teens watched and did NOTHING!!!

[Luv]

Originally Posted by scootebaby

i dont know whether to cry or be angry or both..this just totally blew my mind. I can not believe all those people just stood around,and that managers behavior was even worse. Everyone of those employees should be fired, AND charged. I tried to figure out how to email the company,but my lack of knowledge on these things prevented me from figuring it out. My heart goes out to this woman!

They have an area on their website under social responsibilities that u can send en email to..Id love to see them get thousands of emails.

http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/conta...nsibility.html

[Soft*Silver]

My submissive is a CIS male, who has felt he was a woman all of his life. He had barely heard of the term FtM until I came along. He has since enjoyed the plethera of richness of the trans community I have been able to introduce him to and I cannot wait to bring him to some social events locally. While he is considering becoming a FtM, right now he is still using the pronoun he. His name is Chrissy.

Chrissy has engaged in FemDom lifestyles in the heterosexual world, where he as the feminine man is submissive to the dominant female. There is always a twist of humilation to it because the male is feminized. In our Ds, there is no humiliation. He gets to be who he is, a submissive female serving his Dominant Mistress. He is living his life as female, in a lesbian relationship, in a Ds submissive role. He is in his glory. But outside of this world we create, we both know the dangers,..

Chrissy has witnessed brutality like that video. At the moment he has not stated he himself has been subjected to it He is above six foot tall and is built like a bear. His size is intimidating. This does not make it impossible for an attack to happen but people tend to pick on those who are easier targets. That wouldnt stop a group from targeting him, like that group targeted that girl in that McDonalds restaurant.

It made me sick to watch everyone watching. And laughing. And how the attack kept evolving and continuing. And she seized! And no one cared to administer any medical help! They drug her by her hair!

I am not in a romantic relationship with Chrissy but by god I love him. He serves me well and never have I experienced the deepest intimacy with another person as I have with him when we are engaged in our play. What he brings to me and offers to me is such a gift...that I would kill, literally kill someone if they tried to harm a hair upon his head.

this wickedness must stop. this hatred must stop. I have always been an advocate for trans rights. I shall be so even more now...

[girl_dee]

This has not much to do with our interpersonal relationships but everything to do with mankind. I chose not to watch the video after reading the details posted about it. I don't need to see horror to believe it.

This is not exclusive to transgendered folks, unfortunately. ANYone who stands out as different is a target. Sometimes it does not take that much. It breaks my heart that this happens in this day and age to people in our queer community.

Sadly this sort of thing will keep people in the closet.

[EnderD_503]

Thanks for the responses, folks. This truly is horrific, and from what I just read this morning it seems this woman's rights might get trampled on again because the law is not suited to protect her.

The transwoman has not been named at this point, but Equality Maryland has apparently confirmed that yes, she was a 22 year old transgender woman. Two arrests have been made thus far of an 18 year old woman and a 14 year old girl.

And then the story just goes downhill. Apparently recently the state of Maryland refused to pass a bill that would allow trans people to use the appropriate washroom. The attack apparently occurred over the use of the McDonald's bathroom, and the article speculates that the case will be dismissed because she won't be seen a as a woman trying to use the women's washroom, but as a man. If they dismiss this case they're pretty much giving the green light to any asshole to go beat up a trans person and get away with it. There is no excuse for assaulting someone like this.

If this is a case of a 22 year old man entering a bathroom while a 14 year old girl was using it – get ready for a legal showdown. Any sleazeball criminal defense attorney will have enough facts to argue for a dismissal. I am sure the two girls have already been called by attorneys willing to take the case pro bono, trying to make a name. LGBT rights will spend more time on trial during this soon to be circus than the girls will. Still all must agree the assault without a doubt is heinous.

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2011/24106

If a state is not going to allow laws protecting trans people as far as which bathroom they can use, then it at least needs to address the issue of...which fucking bathroom is it safe to use? Make more gender neutral washrooms if you're not going to protect people's basic right to use a washroom. This could have just as well have happened had this woman tried to use the men's bathroom. What is she supposed to do?

Just last week or the week before there was a rally by the SanFran lgbt community over the beating over another transwoman, and I hope this brutality brings people out to speak out against it in the same way. There needs to be a way for the entire community of lgbt folks everywhere to come together against this kind of violence, and put up a fight to end this kind of violence.

And I agree, this is a problem that faces the entire lgbt community and all gender variant people.

[weatherboi]

Ms and i both called McDonalds last night. They have already sent a team of corporate investigators to the location to try and evaluate what happened and to evaluate the needs of the person that was assaulted. They are encouraging people to call the toll free hot line and comment if they feel the need to do so. They do ask for contact information.

1-800-244-6227
7 days a week
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST

[Ms. Tabitha]

Another article:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/upda...beating-video/

also:

McDonald's Employee Took Credit For Filming Brutal Beating In Baltimore Fast Food Joint

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/...medium=twitter