2083
(0 votes, average 0 out of 5)
Written by FORGE
Dec 30, 2010
It is with great relief and continued sorrow we share the results of the sentencing hearing of Andrew R. Olacirequi, convicted of second-degree reckless homicide in the May 7 killing of Chanel Larkin, a 26-year-old African-American transgender woman.
We extend our comfort and sympathy to Larkin’s family and her loved ones. We also offer compassion for Olacirequi and for his family, whose lives have also been deeply affected by this set of horrific events.
We are grateful that both mainstream press and LGBTQ press continue to cover this case and care about transgender rights and issues.
FORGE is proud of our community, which repeatedly stepped forward and made its presence known, who created an opportunity for the judge to see and deeply understand – through victim impact statements, through awareness of rallies and vigils, through media coverage of events and concerns – that transgender individuals’ lives matter and that Larkin’s life was significant to her family, to her friends, to our local African-American LGBT community, to our local and national transgender community.
Today, FORGE recognizes the power of narrative and the influence of language. The stories of our community’s experiences and reactions, daily fears and pervasive angst helped determine the outcome of the sentence. Those very same narratives (assisted with a shift toward positive media coverage) altered the language used by the prosecutor, defense attorney, judge and the defendant. Every one of them used the word “transgender” and all acknowledged that not only was Larkin’s family impacted by her death, but the transgender community was as well.
We also recognize the deep and potent power of how one person’s victimization and struggle (that of Olacirequi and countless others) can result in a pattern that repeats and re-victimizes (Larkin and others). We are reminded that the answers to ending violence against transgender individuals is to work toward ending violence against all individuals. We comprehend the magnitude of this charge, but believe that the end to violence can only be achieved through non-violent, non-aggressive measures – by countering hate, harm and hurt with persistence, patience and peacefulness.
FORGE is a Milwaukee-based group that advocates for transgender rights
