National Black Justice Coalition Statement on Security Over Policing of LGBTQ/SGL Patrons
Yesterday, eight coworkers from the advocacy group Bienestar Human Services were forcefully dragged out of the bar Las Perlas in Los Angeles after being harrassed by a couple using transphobic and homophobic slurs. The couple was allowed to leave the bar without incident, but the eight coworkers were forcefully removed without apparent cause.
In response to these events, National Black Justice Coalition Executive Director David Johns stated:
“We should remember that the legacy of pride emerged from the Stonewall resistance. Further, Stonewall and the movement it birthed was led by a Black trans woman and her Latina trans sister—Marsha P. Johnson and Silvia Rivera—and today trans women continue to be victims of hate. It is all of our responsibility to stand with them to stop the violence.
“Unfortunately, this narrative of violence against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and same gender loving (LGBTQ/SGL) community has become commonplace in our world. Even more alarming is the fact that Trump has only escalated this violence with racist rhetoric and destructive policies designed to divide and keep some of us locked out of access to opportunity. The consequences have been clear: vitriol, violence, and even death. Black and Latina trans women especially face insurmountable challenges to living full, happy, and healthy lives.
“Let’s work together to better combat the ignorance, hatred, and violence that LGBTQ/SGL people face. We also must pressure the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to complete a thorough investigation into the actions of the security guards and mandate a cultural competence training at Las Perlas. Because until all of us are free, none of us are free.”