<h2> Calls on Catholics to Speak and Act against Brutality</h2> <p>October 8 2015. Boston MA. DignityUSA the leading organization of lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer/questioning and intersex (LGBTQI) Catholics is appalled by the brutal murder of Kiesha Jenkins in Philadelphia. Jenkins who was a transgender woman was a student attending Temple University. According to the Philadelphia Police Department she was attacked by five to six men who shot her in the back. Her death marks the 20th murder of a transgender person reported in the U.S. during 2015 so far exceeding all 12 reported murders of transgender people in 2014.</p> <p>Kiesha Jenkins was murdered just because of her identity as a transgender person said Marianne Duddy-Burke Executive Director of DignityUSA. Her death and the brutality directed towards our transgender kin is a violation of a central belief of our faith. Every person created and loved by God is precious and must be cherished and respected. As Catholics we have a responsibility to speak and act on behalf of our transgender kin.</p> <p>The Trans Support Caucus of DignityUSA is saddened and angered by the ongoing epidemic of violence against the transgender community. As an LGBTQI-inclusive community of Catholics DignityUSA stands in solidarity against violence to transgender individuals.</p> <p>Faith leaders must step up to the plate to educate their worship communities about transgender people said Lui Francesco Matsuo a transgender man and member of DignityUSA's Trans Support Caucus. Hate is often driven by fear of the unknown and we as faith leaders are responsible for educating our communities so there will be no 'unknowns' but only our sisters and brothers in the Holy Spirit.</p> <p>DignityUSA sends its sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Jenkins. Additionally the organization calls on leaders of all faiths across the U.S. to take the following actions:</p> <ul> <li> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Listen to the stories of transgender people with open hearts and minds</li> <li> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Educate your community about these stories of transgender people</li> <li> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Vocally reaffirm transgender people's right to live</li> <li> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Forcefully denounce all violence against transgender people</li> <li> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hold prayer vigils during the International Transgender Month of Remembrance this November</li> <li> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Commemorate the International Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20.</li> </ul> <p>Residents of Philadelphia are also encouraged to participate inhe upcoming Transgender March on October 10th. Details are available at https://www.facebook.com/phillytransmarch</p> <p class=rtecenter>###</p> <p><em>The DignityUSA Trans Support Caucus is working on creating resources to provide transgender education online. If you need to talk to a transgender individual of faith please contact Lui at louie.francesco@icloud.com or call/text 734-612-4596.</em></p>