Community Meeting on Danny Vega Death, Wednesday 6pm

My Facebook page lit up about midnight with news about a community meeting that will take place tonight to discuss the death of Danny Vega who sadly died Sunday.  Danny's death came 12 days after he was severely beaten and robbed by 3 teenagers in what Danny's family and many others believe is a hate crime due to his being openly gay.  There have been no arrests and his death/beating has not been considered a hate crime by law enforcement as of yet.

Danny was a beloved member of the Filipino American community who worked as a hair stylist out of his home shop.  The outcry from the community is loud and will certainly be heard from the gay and Filipino community tomorrow I believe.  Mac S MacGregor,  a Seattle City Commissioner on the LGBT Commission will be one of the speakers at the meeting.  I am looking forward to this meeting as when a community gathers, it grows stronger.  Ms T.

In partnership and at the request of the family of Danny Vega, the Seattle Police Department Filipino Advisory Council and the Filipino Community of Seattle, Seattle Police is holding a community meeting to address concerns of Vega’s homicide, criminal investigation process, crime prevention opportunities, and answer other questions tomorrow Wednesday, November 30 at 6 p.m. at the Filipino Community Center, 5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle.

We suggest anyone who wishes to attend this meeting to please consider carpooling or using public transportation as parking is limited.

Captain Ron Wilson
Community Outreach Section
Seattle Police Department

A couple recent articles:
http://today.seattletimes.com/2011/11/community-meeting-to-address-hairdressers-homicide/#.TtWADbCceY4.facebook

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016882628_vega29m.html

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Danny-Vega-Seattle-hairdresser-brutally-attacked-by-teens-dies-134566063.html

Denise King, Activist for Hate Crimes dies

I have often said it is those of us that can fight on behalf of our loved ones that can effect change due to our unique position.  I am always moved by the mothers (parents) that stand by their LBGTQI children as that is not always the case.  Denise King had great compassion for others even in the worst moments of her life.  May she continue to touch others in death as in life.

Denise King, Mother of Hate Crime Victim, Dies

Denise King, a gay rights advocate in South Florida, died of a heart attack on New Year’s Eve. King’s son, Simmie Williams who was gay, was gunned down in February 2008. Since his unresolved murder, King made educating others about the violence LGBT people face a priority:

The Sun-Sentinel wrote:

Since her son’s death, Mrs. King 'brought the conversation of love, acceptance and compassion into a community where black [gays and lesbians] are invisible,' said Michael Emanuel Rajner, a co-founder of Transgender Equality Rights Initiatives, who became a family friend after the murder.

'The night of her son’s viewing, she left early because she had gotten a call from someone that evening that there was a youth, about 16, thrown out of his home because he was openly gay,' Rajner said.

'Denise, not even knowing the child’s name, hit the streets with her car up and down Sistrunk looking for this child. She would take them in. Her home became this safe haven for people to run. In her pain she was moved to make certain no child was turned away.'

Mrs. King’s aunt said she was committed to justice.

'Everything she did, she did it from her heart as a mother,' said Rose Barnes, of Fort Lauderdale.

Thanks to glaadblog.org for this article.