Man who shot transgender woman admits to using homophobic slurs before opening fire

And in news from the ghastly files…

Dallas resident Domingo Ramirez-Cavente, 29, has admitted to using homophobic slurs before shooting a transgender woman in the chest while she stood at a bus stop.

Police arrested Ramirez-Cavente after an incident last Saturday night. Local surveillance cameras caught him pulling his truck up in front of the victim before opening fire, shooting her multiple times. Now Ramirez-Cavente has admitted that he also shouted homophobic slurs at the woman, as well as made derogatory remarks about her gender prior to the shooting.

Related: National Center for Transgender Equality has endured multiple bomb threats over the past year

CBS reports: “Ramirez-Cavente began ‘speaking derogatorily of gay and transgender people’ so the 35-year-old victim walked away. Because of the encounter, the victim left the area and went to a nearby bus stop to wait on the bus. Police say Ramirez-Cavente admitted that it was then that he drove his truck over next to the victim, pulled out a handgun and fired several shots. The victim was hit multiple times in the chest and arm and had to undergo surgery. Authorities say the woman’s injuries prevented her from speaking with them until Sunday.”

Police have charged Ramirez-Cavente with aggravated assault, but have yet to declare the shooting a hate crime.

www.queerty.com/man-shot-transgender-woman-admits-using-homophobic-slurs-opening-fire-20190926?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

What Latinx Heritage Month Means to One HRC Staffer

Post submitted by HRC Health & Aging Program Associate Director Marcos Garcia

Latinx Heritage Month means a lot to me because it helped make me who I am today.

Every year growing up, my hometown of Perth Amboy would come together and celebrate my many Latinx-identified neighbors — all of them so proud of where they came from. These celebrations were where I fell in love with being a Puerto Rican-Guatemalan kid from New Jersey.

I’ve kept those memories close to my heart for years and they’ve helped me adjust to a world that doesn’t always greet being Latinx and part of the LGBTQ community with the same warm welcome.

Living at the intersection of two worlds so under attack can be exhausting. You turn on the news and you see people who look and act just like me — fighting against an administration hellbent on invalidating our existence.

In my six-plus years at the Human Rights Campaign, I’m proud to see us not only elevate LGBTQ Latinx voices (like in this video), but also prioritize and tackle these issues head-on.

As we celebrate #LatinxHeritageMonth at @HRC, we sat down with advocates to talk about celebrating the intersections of Latinx and LGBTQ identities. #HispanicHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/VOULQIIs2F

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 22, 2019

We’re fighting for DREAMers and the passage of DACA, and we’ll continue to work with our coalition partners to call out the atrocities facing undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers at the border. 

The HRC Foundation also released two updated resources last year — both in English and Spanish — to specifically serve the LGBTQ Latinx community:

• “Coming Out: Living Authentically as LGBTQ Latinx Americans” was designed to aid LGBTQ Latinx Americans in navigating the intersectional challenges when coming out.
• “LGBTQ Latinx Youth Report” looks at the unique struggles and challenges our youth face every day.

I am proud of the work that went into creating these resources, but there is so much more to be done.

Whether you’re an LGBTQ Latinx individual or an ally, I hope you’ll use this Latinx Heritage Month to honor the contributions of Latinx, Hispanic and Latino-identified communities, and put in the hard work it takes to make our world better.

www.hrc.org/blog/what-latinx-heritage-month-means-to-one-hrc-staffer?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.’ Gets U.S. Release Date

Here’s how to watch the British version of the popular drag competition.

www.advocate.com/television/2019/9/26/rupauls-drag-race-uk-gets-us-release-date

What to Watch: An icon becomes an icon, a wannabe gay president and a beloved series bids farewell

Stepping out on a movie date this weekend? Netflix and chillin? Whatever your entertainment needs, we got your back (and hopefully your mind) with Queerty’s weekly “Culture Club” column with some of the highlights of new releases, streaming shows, classics worth revisiting, and what to drink while you watch.

The Step-Out: Judy

At long bloody last, the the much-buzzed about biopic of a legend opens wide, ready to swallow a new generation. True to form, Oscar-winner Renee Zellweger makes one Hell of a big-screen comeback as the mother of all comebacks, Judy Garland. Judy focuses on the Garland’s last London concert series just months before her death, and all the triumphs and disasters that came along with them. A work of fiction to be sure, it nevertheless captures what made Ms. Garland an icon, anchored by Zellweger’s performance–the kind of give-it-her-all work that Judy became famous for.

The Binge: The Politician

Ryan Murphy strikes again with his most savage comedy to date. The Politician stars Ben Platt (Tony winner for Dear Evan Hansen) as Peyton Hobart, a raging closet case born to be President of the United States. Of course, to get to the White House, he needs to become class president first. The Politician bites into American politics with rabid satire, sending up countless political figures (we won’t spoil who), not to mention the entitlement of the uber-rich. Gwyneth Paltrow has some fun with her own image as Platt’s vapid mother, as do Jessica Lange, Judith Light and Bette Midler. Needless to say we fell in love with the show, and are already rooting for four more seasons.

The Stream: Transparent – The Musical

After four seasons of groundbreaking comedy, drama and scandal Transparent takes a bow with a totally surreal and bizarre musical finale. Series star Jeffrey Tambor doesn’t appear, his character having been killed off courtesy of ongoing protests over his casting as a transgender woman and his habit of harassing his fellow cast members. In a way, that liberates the show to focus on more interesting characters, played by Judith Light, Gabby Hoffman and Alexandra Billings. It’s a shame Tambor’s casting and behavior will forever overshadow Transparent’s legacy; the show did more to help transgender performers and artists than anything else prior. This musical finale makes for a dignified and satisfying send off…not to mention hints at a Tamborless spin-off that could have been a laugh riot.

The Wacky: Diamantino

If David Lynch directed a gay soccer movie, it would probably look something like Diamantino, the hallicinatory and homoerotic Brazillian-Portugese film about a soccer star on a hallucinatory and homoerotic journey. The film won the Grand Prize at Cannes last year and developed an immediate cult following on the festival circuit. Now it lands on Blu-Ray, bringing its wacky satire to the masses. Oh, and star Carloto Cotta spends much of the film shirtless. So, there’s that.

On Blu Ray Sept. 24.

The Harrowing: Trapped – The Alex Cooper Story

The Lifetime network takes on conversion therapy in this new telefilm, based on the memoir Saving Alex by Alex Cooper. Like the book that inspired it, Trapped tells the story of a 15-year-old Mormon girl (Addison Holley) whose affection for another beautiful queer woman lands her in a harrowing situation. Shipped off to Utah for de-gayifying, Alex must endure the physical and mental abuse of a painkiller addict and his sadistic wife. Trapped isn’t exactly Boy Erased, though it does add to the growing chorus of voices that testify to the damaging effects of conversion therapy, both on the subject, and on his extended family.

Airs on Lifetime Sept. 28.

The Destination: Little Shop of Horrors

The musical classic from Alan Menken and Howard Ashman gets the revival treatment, this time at southern California’s esteemed Pasadena Playhouse. Amber Riley, George Salazar and MJ Rodriguez headline this stripped-down and gritty production that brings a new level of street realness to the story. Both the casting of Riley as the carnivorous plant Audrey II and Rodriguez as the ditsy Audrey mark a new level of inclusion; Riley becomes the first woman to voice the plant, while Rodriguez becomes the first out-transwoman to play the female lead. Early reviews are glowing, and we can’t wait to hear Rodriguez belt out “Suddenly Seymour.”

Runs at the Pasadena Playhouse Sept 24-Oct 10.

The Sip: The Judy Garland

In honor of Judy & Judy, what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail named for the grand dame herself.

• 1 oz of grenadine syrup
• 3 oz of cherry vodka
• 10 oz of sprite soda

Mix together over ice & stir.

www.queerty.com/watch-icon-becomes-icon-wannabe-gay-president-beloved-series-bids-farewell-20190926?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: September 26, 2019

HRC PRESIDENT ALPHONSO DAVID IN USA TODAY — “FOR TOO LONG, LGBTQ PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED IN OUR FIGHT FOR JUSTICE”: In an opinion piece for USA Today, David (@AlphonsoDavid) writes: “As the Human Rights Campaign approaches its 40th year, we have much to be proud of. But we also have to engage in real self-reflection to strengthen this organization in the decades ahead. We owe it to our 3 million members and supporters fighting each day to build on our momentum for change. We owe it to young LGBTQ people of color yearning to see themselves in us and in our work. And we owe it to ourselves, to our mission and to our organization to become stronger by coming together.” More from USA Today.

.@HRC has much to be proud of, but we also have much work to do. We owe it to our supporters and to LGBTQ people of color yearning to see themselves in our work. And we owe it to ourselves, to our mission and to our organization. My op-ed in @USAToday: t.co/ks2d1U5FIr

— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) September 26, 2019

SATURDAY — CHUCK SCHUMER TO SPEAK AT HRC’S NATIONAL DINNER: “From the earliest days of his political career, Senator Schumer has been a strong and unwavering ally in the fight for LGBTQ equality, both in New York and across the nation,” said HRC President Alphonso David . “From his early support of marriage equality in the Empire State to his commitment to pass the Equality Act in the Senate, we are grateful for his leadership and continued commitment to our community.” Schumer will join previously announced speakers, honorees and special guests including Ricky Martin, Dominique Jackson, Jake Choi, Ryan Russell and more. More from HRC.

PERSON OF INTEREST NAMED IN KILLING OF BEE SLATER, TRANS WOMAN IN FLORIDA: A man in the Belle Glade area has been named a “person of interest.” Police have also identified a second man who posted threatening messages directed at Slater before her death, but he has not been arrested or named a suspect. “In a lot of cases, the murder occurs in the context of underground economies, so they are very difficult to solve,” said HRC’s Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride). “Then in some cases, law enforcement just doesn’t put their full resources behind solving them.” More from The New York Times.

• Man arrested in Dallas shooting of transgender woman. Domingo Ramirez-Cavente, 29, reportedly admitted to shouting slurs at a transgender woman before shooting at her on Friday night. The woman, who has not been identified publicly, survived. Ramirez-Cavente has been charged with aggravated assault, and Dallas police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. More from CBS and Newsweek.
• Arrest made in 2018 shooting death of Celine Walker, a black trans woman in Jacksonville, Florida. Sean Bernard Phoenix, 21, was arrested on a warrant for murder, and faces additional charges of tampering with evidence and shooting deadly missiles. More from The Florida-Times Union.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — MATTEL LAUNCHES GENDER-INCLUSIVE DOLL LINE: Wow — I wish I had these as a kid! Each doll comes with two hairstyles and clothing items that allow a child to dress the doll in a variety of gender expressions. More from Mombian and The Washington Post.

A �� without labels means everyone is invited to play. Welcome to #CreatableWorld, where we let toys be toys so kids can be kids. #AllWelcome

Shop now: t.co/YetMkzG7bq pic.twitter.com/AOi1bNYJVO

— MATTEL (@Mattel) September 25, 2019

HRC ANNOUNCES CARMARION D. ANDERSON AS ALABAMA STATE DIRECTOR: Said Anderson, who has managed local and national prevention initiatives focusing on HIV and AIDS and serves as the National Co-Minister and South Region Coordinator for TransSaints ministry of TFAM (The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries):  “Now more than ever, it’s important for our community to stand together against any attacks on LGBTQ people and work toward a more fair, equal Alabama for all. Additionally, it’s important for our movement to reflect the diversity and challenges of its members. As a transgender woman of color, this is personal, and I’m looking forward to getting to work.” More from HRC.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

U.N. RIGHTS CHIEF MICHELE BACHELET TALKS ABOUT RISE IN ONLINE HATE SPEECH: Bachelet described how the LGBTQ population is disproportionately targeted by hate speech, and what we can do to end it. More from the United Nations.

INSIDE THE HORRIFYING ATTACKS ON LGBTQ RUSSIANS: An anti-LGBTQ extremist group known as “Pila,” or “Saw” in English, is claiming credit for the death of a LGBTQ advocate, and is sending disturbing photos and threats to others. More from Daria Litvinova (@dashalitvinovv) at Reuters.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Washington City Paper discusses the growing diversity of D.C.’s food scene and previews HRC’s annual Chefs for Equality event next month (get your tix now!!)

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

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