Whatever the motivation behind
it, the impact of Tuesday’s
murder of a transgender woman
had been clear: it has silenced
none other than Sasha Fierce, a
proud member of the LGBT
community. This killing,
hopefully, is not a hate crime, a
result of the discrimination that
usually attends members of that
community. Such an
aggravating factor should colour
how our society and,
specifically, the criminal justice
system respond to it.
A recent Columbia Law School
compilation of reports on the
attitude of nearby Guyana for
instance points to suffering
among the LGBT community
from harassment and abuse in
the streets by those who believe
they can act with impunity—a
conclusion that police inaction
has all too often confirmed.
Frequently, the report notes, the
police further harass LGBT
people who attempt to report
crimes perpetrated against
them, or treat LGBT people who
seek their assistance as
criminals simply because of
their sexual orientation. It adds,
in most cases involving LGBT
victims—even murders—police
will not properly investigate or
pursue potential leads, such that
the cases remain unsolved
TT must do everything to avoid
being entrapped by this
rampant show of discrimination
and we call for the most diligent
investigation into the death of
Sasha Fierce. Already to date
there are no laws targeting hate
crimes here. Worse, members
of the local LGBT community
suffer the ignominy of a
criminal law which effectively
sanctions gay bashing under the
dubious guise of “provocation.”
It is hoped this week’s murder
is not the start of a campaign of
violence against members of the
LGBT community. Already,
concerns were raised earlier
this year by lobbyists over a
spate of murders involving gay
men. Fierce’s death must not be
allowed to constitute the
crossing of the rubicon. All
efforts must be made to
apprehend and prosecute those
responsible in order to send a
strong message.
Yet, how can the police and the
criminal justice system be
expected to achieve what the
State itself does not? What
message is sent when our
public officials are repeatedly
evasive or vague when it comes
to LGBT rights? How is our
society to understand the
Parliament’s dismal failure to
repeal the anti-gay provisions of
the farcically named Equal
Opportunity Act?
The issue of our society’s
handling of matters relating to
sex workers is also pertinent. In
this instance, Fierce’s line of
work has been held against her
on social media. But as a society
we need to understand: murder
is murder. As Jesus told those
who were poised to execute the
prostitute Mary Magdalene, let
those who are without sin cast
the first stone.
This was an appalling act of
violence which has exposed our
failure as a society to venerate
the values of compassion and
equality. We express deepest
condolences to the loved ones of
Sasha Fierce. May she rest in
peace.
it, the impact of Tuesday’s
murder of a transgender woman
had been clear: it has silenced
none other than Sasha Fierce, a
proud member of the LGBT
community. This killing,
hopefully, is not a hate crime, a
result of the discrimination that
usually attends members of that
community. Such an
aggravating factor should colour
how our society and,
specifically, the criminal justice
system respond to it.
A recent Columbia Law School
compilation of reports on the
attitude of nearby Guyana for
instance points to suffering
among the LGBT community
from harassment and abuse in
the streets by those who believe
they can act with impunity—a
conclusion that police inaction
has all too often confirmed.
Frequently, the report notes, the
police further harass LGBT
people who attempt to report
crimes perpetrated against
them, or treat LGBT people who
seek their assistance as
criminals simply because of
their sexual orientation. It adds,
in most cases involving LGBT
victims—even murders—police
will not properly investigate or
pursue potential leads, such that
the cases remain unsolved
TT must do everything to avoid
being entrapped by this
rampant show of discrimination
and we call for the most diligent
investigation into the death of
Sasha Fierce. Already to date
there are no laws targeting hate
crimes here. Worse, members
of the local LGBT community
suffer the ignominy of a
criminal law which effectively
sanctions gay bashing under the
dubious guise of “provocation.”
It is hoped this week’s murder
is not the start of a campaign of
violence against members of the
LGBT community. Already,
concerns were raised earlier
this year by lobbyists over a
spate of murders involving gay
men. Fierce’s death must not be
allowed to constitute the
crossing of the rubicon. All
efforts must be made to
apprehend and prosecute those
responsible in order to send a
strong message.
Yet, how can the police and the
criminal justice system be
expected to achieve what the
State itself does not? What
message is sent when our
public officials are repeatedly
evasive or vague when it comes
to LGBT rights? How is our
society to understand the
Parliament’s dismal failure to
repeal the anti-gay provisions of
the farcically named Equal
Opportunity Act?
The issue of our society’s
handling of matters relating to
sex workers is also pertinent. In
this instance, Fierce’s line of
work has been held against her
on social media. But as a society
we need to understand: murder
is murder. As Jesus told those
who were poised to execute the
prostitute Mary Magdalene, let
those who are without sin cast
the first stone.
This was an appalling act of
violence which has exposed our
failure as a society to venerate
the values of compassion and
equality. We express deepest
condolences to the loved ones of
Sasha Fierce. May she rest in
peace.
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