Delaware Governor Jack Markell Signs Transgender Protections Into Law!

Congratulations Equality Delaware and THANK YOU Gov. Jack Markell!

Signed into law June 19th 2013 legis.delaware.gov "This Act (SB97) adds the term “gender identity” to the already-existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination and hate crimes. As such, this Act would forbid discrimination against a person on the basis of gender identity in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance, and it would provide for increased punishment of a person who intentionally selects the victim of a crime because of the victim’s gender identity."

The bill took a quick trip back to the house on the 18th were its was amended to clarify transsexualism to satisfy fence sitters:

“Gender identity may be demonstrated by consistent and uniform assertion of the gender identity or any other evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as part of a person’s core identity; provided, however, that gender identity shall not be asserted for any improper purpose.”

The amendment also includes a clause that would allow sex-segregated public venues like locker rooms to “provide reasonable accommodations” including “a separate or private place” for transgender people. Rep. Short and Equality Delaware President Mark Purpura clarified that no organizations would be required to provide such accommodations, but merely that they may do so if they wish. None of the provisions in the amendment are binding, or change the main purpose of the Senate bill in a significant way.

Sixteen states and D.C. now have trans-inclusive anti-discrimination laws. Thirteen of those states and the nation’s capital have also added gender identity and expression to their hate crimes statutes.

Police Release Video of Hollywood Transgender Beating Offer $25,000 Reward

ABC 13 reports: HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- Police have released dramatic surveillance video showing a vicious attack on a transgender woman on a Hollywood sidewalk. They are hoping the video will help them track down the suspects.

The vicious attack occurred on May 31 around 2:30 a.m.

Surveillance footage shows the victim, a transgender woman known as Vivian, walking along Hollywood Boulevard near Ivar Avenue. Four men are seen approaching her.

"She became involved in a verbal confrontation," said Lt. Marc Reina with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Vivian walks away from the men, heading toward Vine Street.

"At that point, one of the males ran up behind Vivian, striking her from behind, knocking her unconscious, it appears on the video, to the ground. And then the rest of the group joined in and brutally assaulted Vivian by kicking and punching her," said Reina.

The victim had to spend a week in the hospital. Authorities are still trying to determine if this was a hate crime.

The suspect who knocked Vivian down was described as a white male between 20 to 25 years old with blond hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a "YSL" logo.

The other three suspects are around the same age. They were wearing black shirts and black pants. Authorities are hoping witnesses will help them track down the attackers.

"As you can see in the video, there's people around, there's cars driving by, so we're asking anybody that happened to see this incident to contact us," said Reina.

A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. Anyone with information was asked to call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or online at http://www.lapdonline.org/report_a_crime