Lateisha Green's Mother Talks to Essence About Anti-Trans Violence

Earlier this morning, Dwight Delee was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the hate crime killing of Lateisha Green, the 22-year-old black transgender woman who killed in Syracuse, NY last fall. Green's mother, Roxanne Greene, was in the courtroom. Greene writes about the murder of her daughter and anti-transgender violence at Essence.com. It's an excellent opportunity to bring trans awareness to the black community.

Since Lateisha's death, I haven't known how to help my family, especially her father. He's hurting so badly. When Lateisha came out, he was hurt because he has always tried to protect her. She was such a sensitive child and would get so upset when the kids would jump her after school. But in the end, neither one of us could protect her. We're used to a having this happy-go-lucky person, who could just light up the room with us all the time. I never knew I could miss something so much in my life. I just want to scream sometimes. I've never felt this type of pain before. I'm bitter and I hate it.

I will definitely be there on August 18 to see Dwight DeLee sentenced. This is when he will have to look at me and tell me why he did this. I'll finally get to ask what did [Lateisha] ever do to you that was so bad? Did [her] preference really bother him so much for you to take his life?

I hope like hell some good comes out of this. We've had to deal with threats as we leave the courthouse and messages on my phone. People act like we took something from them. They took something from us! I want DeLee to get life without parole. Transgenders are human beings like anyone else. Who are we to say that people shouldn't be who they want to be? Parents need to realize you can't turn your kid away. You're all they have and I knew that with Lateisha. If felt like as long as I supported her, she would know we were there for her and that's what matters.

Lateisha Green's family is lobbying state legislators to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which includes transgenders in hate crime protection laws. Roxanne Greene adds: "I'm getting ready to go to Albany to speak and get this bill passed in Lateisha's name. I will never forget the look on my child's face the day she died in front of our house and I hope people can understand that."

(via Monica Roberts at Transgriot)

Comments

[Kevjack]

This is powerful on so many levels. First, it speaks of a mother's ability to turn her anguish into action. Roxanne Greene should be held ip the way Judy Shepard is.

Second, her advocacy speaks to the lie that black people are all raging homophobes. We need to get out and support our allies, especially our black allies. There are plenty of them. They will speak up for us when we get behind them and appreciate them.

Third, it is high time we deal with transphobia both within and outside of the LGBT community. Too many of us are quick to call on gay bashing but do nothing where trans people are involved. Shame on us!!

[Baltimore Femme]

"Transgenders are human beings like anyone else. Who are we to say that people shouldn't be who they want to be? Parents need to realize you can't turn your kid away."

I really like what Mother Green is saying here. We are all part of the same family, we are all people, we are all supposed to black folks, but I know that kinship often stops with LGBTs.

My family rejected me years ago but came back to me. I am there for them and they are there for me!

Thank you Mrs Green for writing this powerful testimony. Thank you Essence for trying to reach out and broader your readers horizons. And as always thanks Rod,, for cover transgender folk. We ate catching hell in the black gay and LGBT community and are glad you report.

[Diva1961]

I am glad that Mrs. Greene is speaking out and not allowing the threats and intrusions into her family's life deter her. A lot of families would allow that to be the reason not to stand up for their own children. Be blessed Mrs. Greene.