TTPC

Our president, Marisa Richmond, suggested that I post the speech I gave on during the Prop 8 protest speech in Knoxville this Saturday.  Some said it was awesome, some said it was moving, and some said it was almost militant.  I said what I felt.  I hope is was a combination of all those critiques.

You decide…

My name is Carla Lewis.  I want to tell you about three great organizations that I am proud to be a part of.  Here locally we have a Knoxville chapter of PFLAG.  The meet the seond Thursday of every month at TVUUC.  This organization exists for the sole purpose of providing support to the GLBT community, their friends, families and straight allies.  They work to educate the community on LGBT issues, and the actively advocate change to benefit our community.  For more infomation please visit http://pflagknoxville.org.

I'm also representing Transisters.  A trangender support and advocacy group located in Knoxville as well.  They too meet at TVUUC.  Their monthly meetings are on the first Thursday of each month.  If you are transgendered or questioning that you may be, please pay us a visit.  It will be well worth your time.  For more information please visit, http://transisters.org.

Lastly, I am here on behalf of Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition.  TTPC for short.  TTPC is a statewide advocacy group that supports transgender initiatives all across Tennessee.  We are the only transgender organization in the state with our own dedicated lobbyist, Dr. Marisa Richmond.  Marisa is the first african american openly transgender delegate to the Democrat National Convention.  Each year when our state legislators try to push bills to further strip us of our rights, Marisa is right there giving them hell. 

Recently, the transgender community has suffered another tragedy.  Many of you may remember that back in February, video was leaked to the news which showed to Memphis PD officers beating a hand-cuffed Duanna Johnson mercilessly.  Both officers have since been dismissed without being charged.  Tragically, Duanna was found beaten and shot last Sunday.  The transgender community has too many martyrs – too many dead.

Duanna's family was having trouble meeting the expense of her funeral which had to be paid up front.  Her funeral is today.  TTPC put out a call for donations.  In less than 12 hours people from all over the country and as far away as Japan had donated approximately $5500.  This is absolutely amazing!  Ten years ago this could have never happened, but it happened today because the world is changing.

How does it feel to know that at this very moment in hundreds of cities across this country that tens of thousands of people are yelling out with a united voice that we're not going to take it anymore!  We work hard like everyone else, we pay our taxes like everyone else.  We feel joy, we hurt just like everyone else.  We love just like everyone else!  We have families, we have dreams, just like everyone else and you know what?  This is world is changing.

All across this nation there are those that will never accept you.  There are those that will never tolerate you.  There are those that want to drive our community into utter extinction.  Every year these same people are gaining ground and successively stripping each state of your birthright.  In Tennessee we are the only state in this country that has passed a law forbidding transsexuals from changing the sex on their birth certificate and by extension their driver's license.  In Tennessee, marriage equality was stripped though a constitutional amendment.  This year, Florida, Arizona, and California followed suit.

Just last year, your legislators were pushing to prevent you from adopting or fostering children.  This bill is still on the table.  Arkansas just passed a law that forbids their gay community from adopting or fostering children.  You know what?  Those that were fostering children are having their foster children stripped of them right now.  This same group this same group believes it is better for a child to be homeless, to live in an orphanage or live with abusive parents than to be placed in a loving home with you!  Can you believe that those people are the voice of our country?  They're not my voice!

Why is all of this happening now?  Why our generation?  I'll tell you why.  Everything was all good and well while you all stayed in the closet, but now you uppity gays want equality!  You need to mind your place!  That's what they say.  Well let me tell you something.  This world is changing!

I don't want tolerance!  I don't want acceptance!  I want equality!  This is my country too!  We will have equality.  Whether it happens all at once in this country or state by state.  It will happen and I, for one, don't want our state to be the very last one.  This world is changing!

Each of you has the responsibility to keep pressure on your elected officials to represent you too!  If they fail to listen it is your responsibility to make sure they don't get re-elected.

Each of you has the responsibility to patron business that support our equality.  They need to grow.  The ones that don't support you, need to disappear.

Each of you has the responsibility to make new straight allies at your jobs, in your churches, in your families.  Only when we all present ourselves as equals can we ever hope to achieve the equality that is ours by the mere fact of being born.

We are the generation and community that embraces technology.  We are the generation that embraces innovation and change.  We are the stewards of freedom for generations to come!  I'll say it again.  This world is changing!  Go change the world!