Dallas Transgender Advocates DEMAND R-E-S-P-E-C-T at the Tribeca PROTEST

Press Release
April 6, 2010
For Immediate Distribution

Contact
Kelli Anne Busey
email: kellibusey@yahoo.com
Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies
DTAA Call to Action

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies urge attendance at the Tribeca protest in New York City.

The Tribeca film festival chooses to abdicate it's moral responsibility by ignoring AP and Glaad media guidelines and proceeds with premiering 'Ticked Off Trannies With Knives" (TTWK) despite transgender peoples strenuous plea's that it be removed from their upcoming festival lineup.

Kelli Busey, founder of the Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies was the first to protest and take action against the unaccredited and indiscriminate usage of the word 'tranny' by the Dallas Voice in 2009, and was subsequently the first to become acquainted with Israel Luna's proposed project 'TTWK'. The trans community at that time upon learning of TTWK clearly stated it's objection to it's name and message.

Kelli Busey says "Transgender people, STAND UP for your dignity". Make a statement today that you are not allowing gender slurs to be used freely without attribution in the press or by movie producers, be they straight OR LGBT." she elaborates, This is not censorship. It is transgender people claiming our place in society!" She states emphatically, "We have stood shoulder to shoulder with gay and lesbians in outrage when media has defamed them with slurs targeting their sexual preference, DEMAND the same R-E-S-P-E-C-T today from gay movie producer Israel Luna at the Tribeca protest!"

Tribeca protest details

When: Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Location: Tribeca Cinemas @ 54 Varick Street, NYC
Google map

Protest Organizer:

Ashley Love
email magnet_right_ now@yahoo.com

Facebook April 6th Protest Event Info & Press Release

Home PageMedia Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET)

Media guidelines recommended terminology and definitions of defamatory language PDF Glaad and AP style guide

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The Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies (DTAA) are a Texas based worldwide group of Transgender, Queer, Intersexed, Asexual, Questioning and allied people advocating for Equality in Politics and Religion. DTAA dallastaa.ning.com

Protest At Tribeca NYC Cinema planned For Premiering “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”

Press Release: For immediate release April 4, 2010

Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET)

“Protest/rally Against Tribeca’s Decision to Premiere Transphobic Film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives”

What: A protest/rally demanding that Tribeca Film Festival remove the transphobic film “Ticked Off Trannies With Knives (TOTWK)”. Melissa Sklarz- Director of New York Trans Rights Organization, celebrities, elected officials & LGBT activists will be speaking. A candle light vigil for trans victims of hate crimes will also be held.

When/Where: Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 6:30-8:00pm @ Tribeca Cinemas @ 54 Varick Street, NYC

Why: The movie makes light of violence and rape against trans women, exploits the high-profile murder of teenager Angie Zapata, includes the pejorative term “trannies” in its title, inaccurately depicts trans women’s identities as drag queen “performers” and “caricatures” and misrepresents the lives of an extremely disenfranchised group who suffer violence at alarming rates.

Kim Pearson, Executive Director of TransYouth Family Allies, says "Negative and stereotyped media portrayals of transgender people hurt the community because Americans still need more education on transgender issues. The images in this film (TOTWK) make a mockery of their lives. I want more for my child and all transgender people.”

“The transsexual and transgender communities are all too often the victims of violence, marginalization and discrimination as a result of inaccurate media depictions like this film, which is offensive, dehumanizing and misogynistic and causes further misunderstanding and harm to an already dangerously oppressed minority group”, states Ashley Love, Organizer of Media Advocates Giving National Equality to Trans People (MAGNET).

MAGNET had a meeting with staff at Tribeca Center on Friday, March 26, educating them about why this film is extremely problematic and dehumanizing. They refused to remove the film or make a statement that they don’t endorse the oppression of transsexual and transgender women, so MAGNET is now organizing a protest/rally, in association with Families United Against Hate, International Foundation For Gender Education, New York Trans Rights Organization, World Gender Coalition and Remembering Our Dead, to demand that they remove the film, and to draw attention to injustices trans people face in everyday life and in the media. Many trans advocates, trans organizations, women’s groups and allies voiced their concerns to GLAAD, expressing they needed aggressive action. GLAAD issued an uncompromising and strong petition & call to action demanding that Tribeca remove the film:

To support or endorse protest on Tuesday, receive information about issues raised or press questions, or become involved in anti-defamation/media work for the transsexual and transgender communities:

Join the Boycott TOTWK” Facebook page & find more info/articles on the story:

CONTACT: Organizer of MAGNET: Ashley Love- Email: magnet_right_now@yahoo.com

For info/articles on issues raised: Ashley Love’s blog: Transforming media.blogspot.com