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National LGBT Rights Groups Issue Joint Open Letter on the Killing of Trayvon Martin
It Is a 'National Call to Action'
Boston, MA, April 2 — A coalition of national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organizations today issued an open letter that described the killing of Trayvon Martin as a “national call to action”; urged state and federal authorities to find answers in the case that has garnered worldwide attention; and demanded justice be served. Full text below:
An Open Letter: Standing Alongside Trayvon Martin’s Family and Friends
The tragic killing of Trayvon Martin is a national call to action. Our hearts go out to Trayvon’s family and friends for the loss they have experienced. We stand in solidarity with them as they demand answers and justice. We represent organizations with diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender constituencies.
Many in our community have been targets of bigotry and bias. We have a great deal of experience grappling with the role bias plays in violent crimes against our communities. We well know the stories of young people targeted for violence just because of who they are: Rashawn Brazell, Lawrence King, Ali Forney, Deoni Jones, Brandon White, Matthew Shepard, Angie Zapata, Sean Kennedy and countless others.
Trayvon’s killing is a wakeup call to the enduring cancer of racism and racial profiling. The pain his family continues to endure transcends communities and unites us all. Every person, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, must be able to walk the streets without fear for their safety.
Trayvon’s killing is tragic and the stark reality that racial bias played a role in his death has alarmed our nation. Questions must be asked. Answers must be sought. And justice must be served. We join our voices to the chorus of so many others to demand that local and federal authorities find those answers. We stand in solidarity with Trayvon’s family and friends as they seek justice for his killing. In the timeless words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Signatories:
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
Equality Federation
Family Equality Council
Freedom to Marry
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
GLAAD
Human Rights Campaign
Immigration Equality
International Federation of Black Prides
LGBT Progress at the Center for American Progress
Lambda Legal
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR)
National Center for Transgender Equality
National Coalition for LGBT Health
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
National Stonewall Democrats
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
PFLAG National
Pride at Work
Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
The Trevor Project
UNID@S
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Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England's leading legal organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.