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7. Vigil in Santa Barbara, Tuesday, October 29, 7:30 p.m.
There will be a vigil in memory of Gwen Araujo at Stork Plaza on the UC Santa Barbara campus at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29.
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8. "To our lost youth" Memorial, San Jose, Tuesday, October 29, 7:30 p.m.
In response to the recent murder of Gwen Araujo, a local young 17 year-old transgender youth, the DeFrank Center is organizing a memorial/vigil and candlelight walk down The Alameda, and we would like to invite you to become involved in the ceremony. After the ceremony we will walk down The Alameda to the DeFrank Center carrying candles and placards with the names of LGBT youth that have been murdered.
Where: Room 105 at The United Way Building, 1922 The
Alameda, San Jose
When: Tuesday, October 29th, 7:30 p.m.
At the moment the shape of the ceremony is still in planning, but this is the current structure: poems and songs (please contact Rev. Free if you would like to be involved in this part), followed by an Inter-Faith prayer, followed by a reading of LGBT youth victims names, e.g. Gwen Araujo, Matthew Sheppard, Freddie Martinez, etc. Each name will be followed by a chime. We are still working on the organization of the ceremony, so if you have something that you would like to include please let us know.
For more information:
Rev. Free will lead the ceremony and is organizing the poems and songs. She can be contacted at:
mfree@sbcglobal.net, (408) 281-1284.
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9. Service of Lamentation and Dedication, Friday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.
The congregation of Westminster Hills Presbyterian Church, Where all may freely serve
Invites the community to a service of lamentation and dedication
In memory of Edward Araujo, Jr.
Friday, November 1, 2002
7:30 PM
27287 Patrick Avenue
Hayward, CA 94544
For information contact Pastor John Wichman: 782-5795 or Elder Betty DeForest: 782-5462
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10. Dia De Los Muertos with special honoring of Gwen/Lida (Eddie) Araujo in San Francisco, November 1, 7 p.m.
Dia De Los Muertos at Proyecto (PCPV)
2973 16th St. (near 16th St. BART; MUNI 14, 49, 22, 33, 53)
San Francisco
Friday, November 1st, 7:00 p.m.
THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL HONORING of GWEN/LIDA (Eddie) ARAUJO as part of the evenings' activities.
This event is an opportunity for the community to honor our loved ones who have passed. Please feel free to bring copies of photos* and/or other articles of remembrance to add to the altar. There will be food, warm beverages and sugar skulls to decorate as offerings.
*please bring copies of valuable photos NOT the originals
For more information contact:
Proyecto ContraSIDA Por Vida (PCPV), info@pcpv.org, 415.864.7278, 415.575.1645 fax
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11. Candle light march in memory of Gwen Araujo, Los Angeles, November 3, 7:00 p.m.
When: Sunday, November 3, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Highland and Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Bring: candles, volunteers, your family, songs showing our love and respect to Gwen and her mother.
Next Sunday, November 3, 2002 at 7:00 PM we will have candlelight march in the lovely memory of Gwen Araujo, starting on Highland and Santa Monica and ending at the Hollywood forever cemetery on Bronson and Santa Monica where we will hold a press conference.
We will begin organizing at 6:00 at Highland and Santa Monica
Time to mobilize, time to STOP hate crimes!
BIENESTAR, GLAAD, CHLA, MAP, APIT, Gay Lesbian Center, GLASS, Vaness Prevention
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12. Candle light vigil in memory of Gwen Araujo in Novato, November 5, 6:30 p.m.
When: November 5, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tully's ( 823 Grant Ave., Suite E, Novato, CA 94945)
For information contact Cristin, 457-1115 X 203
please bring your own candle
Please consider participating in an upcoming candle light vigil in memory of 17-year-old Gwen/Eddie Araujo, a transgender youth murdered in Newark, CA. The vigil will take place on Tuesday, November 5th at 6:30pm in Novato. A
group of students and allies will gather in front of Tully's (823 Grant Ave., Suite E, Novato, CA 94945) and will walk with lighted candles from Tully's to the Novato Unified School District building.
Please bring your own candle. We anticipate that the walk will take approximately 20 minutes and we will then spend a bit of time honoring Gwen as well as other transgendered people who have been murdered.
Please also note that there will be a school board meeting that night at 7:30pm and it will be dealing with A World of Difference, including a re-vote. If you are able, please attend this meeting to show support for Diversity Education.
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13. Student Demonstration, Newark City Hall, November 7, 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 7, 4PM
STUDENT DEMONSTRATION
Newark City Hall
37101 Newark Boulevard
Newark, CaliforniaSTUDENTS TO RALLY AT NEWARK CITY HALL AGINST INTOLERANCE
Call upon Mayor to speak out--- NEWARK, Ca. In response to what many young people say has been a total lack of responsiveness by Newark leaders since the murder of Gwen (Eddie) Araujo, students from different local High Schools will be protesting outside Newark City Hall, calling upon the Mayor and City Council to make a public statement promoting tolerance and safe schools for LGBTI young people as well as committing themselves to taking meaningful action to foster a more tolerant and safe community for all of the Tri-City area's diverse youth.
Responding to stinging criticism in the press that City fathers have made no public comment to date nor taken any action to open up dialogue in the community about societal conditions that could have contributed to the young
transgendered person's death, city officials could only say that they held a moment of silence for the slain youth at a recent meeting.
Press contacts:
Pete King
(510) 663-3980
Felicia Avila
(510) 364-8062
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14. Peaceful Vigil at "The Laramie Project" Performance in Newark, November 8, 6:30pm
NEWARK CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR TOLERANCE
Friday, November 8 at 6:30 PM
Also show your support on:
Nov. 9, 15, 16 @ 7:00 pm. and Nov. 10, 16 @ 1:00 pm.
Location: in front of Newark Memorial High School
39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark, between Mowry Ave. and Stevenson Blvd.
Take the Mowry Avenue exit off Highway 880, turn onto Mowry west toward Newark, turn left
at Cedar, and turn left into the NewPark Mall parking lot, where you can park.
For those taking BART the mall is an 18 minute bus ride from the Fremont BART station. From Fremont BART take the #213 AC Transit bus. It leaves every fifteen minutes. The return switches to an every half hour schedule after 9 pm. The bus takes you to NewPark Mall; you'll have to walk across the parking lot to the school.
BE A PART OF HEALING
WE NEED PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE BAY AREA
Please dress warmly, it may rain. Bring friends, family, and candles or flashlights to help us peacefully spread the message of love, acceptance, and tolerance in our community. Join us as we remember Gwen/Eddie Araujo who was recently murdered in a hate crime in Newark. And, show your support for Newark High School's courageous production of The Laramie Project, a play about the impact
of hate crimes on a small community like Newark.
All safety monitors who have trained with us or who have registered
with Safety Joan and Safety Dave should check in at 6 pm. Angels
should also check in then with ArchAngel Gail.
Physicians who are planning to attend and who want to make themselves
available should also check in with the safety monitor coordinator at
that time.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Please bring candles. Donations toward the cost of the event gladly accepted. Send checks to PFLAG Fremont, P.O. Box 754, Fremont, CA 94537-0754.
All youth, parents, teachers and community members are invited to
attend. Concerned friends who will be present (some will be
speaking) include: Sylvia Guerrero, mother of Gwen Araujo; Gloria
Allred, lawyer for Sylvia Guerrero; Ken Sherer, Superintendent Newark
Schools; Kevin Dowling, Hayward City Council; Eileen McDonald, Newark
School Board; Nina Moore, Fremont School Board, and most importantly,
many students from Newark and Fremont.
The vigil has been endorsed by Rep. Pete Stark, US Congressman;
Sheila Jordan, Superintendent Alameda County Schools; Doug Gephardt,
Superintendent Fremont schools; and the Fremont Unified School
District Teachers Union.
Questions?
Parent/Community contact: Pat Skillen, PFLAG of Fremont/Newark (925)
447-6333
Local youth contact: Felicia Avila of Newark/Fremont (510) 364-8062
Main press contact: Pete King, East Bay Pride (510) 663-3980
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15. Send letters of support to Laramie Project cast and crew!
Write a quick letter or e-mail of support to the casts (and directors!) of these shows.
Newark Memorial High:
Ms. Barbara Williams bwilliams@nusd.k12.ca.us
39375 Cedar Blvd.
Newark, CA 94560
Bishop O'Dowd High:
Mr. Dennis Kohles
ddkohles@earthlink.net
9500 Stearns Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605-4799
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16. How to Get Involved in Planning Vigil/Support Events in Newark
Peaceful Vigil at "The Laramie Project" Performance in Newark:
When: November 8, 2002, 8:00 pm
Where: Newark Memorial High School, 39375 Cedar Blvd., Newark
Contact: Jacob Goldsmith, (510) 818-4392 or jacobgoldsmith@yahoo.com
This is partially in response the the murder of Gwen Araujo, and partially in response to the potential boycott by the Westboro Baptist Church. The tenative plan includes wearing black T-shirts, making a candlelit corridor for the play attendees, an Angel-Action and welcoming signs.
Planning Meetings
Mark these dates on your calendar, and see below for directions to the organizational meetings:
Sunday, Oct. 27, 3 p.m.
Organizational meeting in Fremont
Sunday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Organizational meeting and Safety Monitor Training
These meetings will occur in Fremont, near the BART station. We can pick up attendees at the Fremont BART station (west side, facing away from the hills), one half hour before the meeting times. Meetings will be held at Dave's condo clubhouse at the corner of Spetti Dr. and Spetti Ct. Directions: From 880, exit Mowry Ave. in Fremont and
go East. Go through Fremont towards the hills, about 3 miles. Just before Mowry ends at Mission turn right on Cherry Street (near Fernando's Restaurant and several lights after passing under the BART tracks). Continue on Cherry for 2 blocks to Spetti Drive and turn left. Go 2 blocks and the clubhouse will be on your right at the corner of Spetti Dr. & Spetti Ct. From Mission Blvd. head west on Mowry. Take a left at the first light, Cherry, and proceed as above.
Questions? Lost? Contact Dave on the morning of the meetings at:
(510) 364-1240
Help Organize the Event
To help organize, contact: PFLAGNewark@yahoo.com
We need leaders and committee members who will attend the organizational meetings on two Sundays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, in Fremont. If you can be an organizer let us know; if you cannot attend the organizational meetings but want to help out in any of the following areas let us know too! Organizers are needed to assume primary responsibility in these areas:
a. Safety Monitors - We need people to recruit, train, and manage safety monitors who will be present at every performance of the play. They will train the safety monitors in Fremont on Sunday Nov. 2, at 1 p.m. Only those who attend this training in nonviolence and crowd control, or who have attended equivalent trainings, may be safety monitors. The safety monitors will circulate within the crowd, attend to any disruptions, assure that a clear zone is kept between the Phelps protestors and vigil attenders, and coordinate with the Newark Police.
b. Memorial Vigil - We need people to organize a candlelight memorial vigil. This will involve lining up speakers (including community leaders, civil rights activists, sexual minority youth, friends of Gwen's, clergy to counterbalance Phelps), providing candles, providing an audio system, recruiting a choir to lead us in song, etc.
c. Media Coordinator - We need someone to coordinate with the media, keep them informed, and line up media interviews with spokespersons from each organization represented at the vigil.
d. Angel Action - We need a creative spirit to organize an Angel Action: A band of angels with humongous wings dedicated to nonviolence to form a line between the Phelps protest and the school
and vigil attenders. Requirements: recruit angels, make the wings
(we have good recipes for large, inexpensive wings), and assure their
presence at the protest.
e. Clean-Up Crew - We want to assure that after the crowds are
gone the school grounds and street are clean. We want to help the
school, not increase their janitorial bills!
f. Memorial Scholarship for Youth - PFLAG Femont/East Bay has
long wanted to start a scholarship fund for youth who actively work
for tolerance and acceptance in the tri-cities area. We believe that
this is particularly needed in our towns, and scholarship assistance
to youth here can make a big impact. The recent tragic events
reinforce the need for this. We would like to establish a Gwen/Eddie
Araujo Memorial Scholarship directed to youth in this area. We are
looking for a PFLAG member who wants to take a leadership role in
setting up the scholarship, raising funds for it, and advertising it.
Newark Memorial Drama Dept. Tickets pre-order
Tickets are $8.00 each
Shows: November 8,9,15,16 @ 8:00 pm
Newark Memorial High School
c/o Mrs. Barbara Williams, Drama Dept.
39375 Cedar Blvd.
Newark, CA 94560
Indicate:
Date of Show
Number of Ticket
Check Amount
Phone
Self stamp envelope with Name & Address
Barbara Williams, drama instructor 510-818-4451 if pertains to the play.
Order tickets for Bishop O'dowd High School's production of the Laramie Project (Fred Phelps also plans to picket this production)
http://www.odowd.pvt.k12.ca.us/laramieorder.htm
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17. Memorial for Gwen Araujo, Sacramento, November 9, 7:30
The Lambda Youth Group will lead a memorial vigil for Gwen Araujo on Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 on the west steps of the State Capitol. For more information, contact Chris O'Banks, Youth Group Facilitator at the Lambda Community Center, 1927 L Street at (916) 442-0185.
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18. Rally for Peace and Tolerance in Oakland, November 15, 5 p.m.
A rally for Peace and Tolerance is being planned for Nov. 15 in Oakland.
The rally will focus on the safety of GLBTQ youth. It will start at 5 pm in
front of Oakland City Hall, at the 12th St. BART stop. Please consult the
East Bay Pride website for further information at
http://www.eastbaypride.org/g_araujo/index.html.
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19. Angels and Safety Monitors needed to support the Laramie project in Newark, Friday, Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Safety Monitors and Angels needed!
"Rev." Fred Phelps plans to protest the performance of the Laramie Project at Newark Memorial High School on November 15. Safety monitors and angels will meet at 6:30 p.m. For further information contact Safety Dave at ochobbit@dnai.com or ArchAngel Gail at wdkftr@msn.com
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20. Erase the Hate, a community forum, Palo Alto, November 17, 3 p.m.
Please join us for Erase the Hate, a community forum. Shocked and saddened by the killing of transgender youth Gwen Araujo, the YWCA encouraging individuals, gourps, and organizations to attend this community meeting on combating hate.
When: Sunday, November 17, 3-5 p.m.
Where: YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula, 4161 Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
For more information: 650-494-0972 or www.ywcamid.org.
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21. National Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance:
http://www.gender.org/remember/index.html
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22. Netcamp Records benefit for The Eddie Gwen Araujo Jr. Memorial Fund in Newark, Nov. 23, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23RD, 2002
All AGES WELCOME (Persons 21 & Up with vaild ID will need to wear special wristbands to purchase alcoholic beverages)
$10 Donations at Door
Hours: 8pm to 2am
Location: Newark Portuguese Sports Club
Address: 7355 Thornton Ave, Newark CA (across from Street Carter Station)
For more details: http://www.netamp.com/htm/memorial.html
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23. Gender Matters, a media coverage discussion, San Jose, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
The Northern California Chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center and San Jose State University present:
"Gender Matters" - A public-media professional forum to discuss local San Francisco Bay Area news coverage of the Gwen Araujo murder and the transgender community.
7 p.m. Thursday, December 5th at the San Jose State University Student Union in the Almaden Room.
The program is free of charge and open to the public.
Meet some of the same reporters who covered the events, transgender community members and media watchdogs. We will look at how local Radio, TV, newspaper and Internet reports covered the Araujo murder as well as the transgender community with to hope to find ways to better cover the community and its issues in the future.
This should be an interesting and useful night for both media professionals and the public.
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News Articles
1. Press release from GSA Network, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Transgender Resources and Neighborhood Space
2. Statement from Senator Sheila Kuehl
3. News Articles
4. Statement from GLAAD About Media Coverage
5. Media and Organization Contacts
6. Resources
1. Press release from GSA Network, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Transgender Resources and Neighborhood Space
Press Release
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2. Statement from Senator Sheila Kuehl
Statement from Senator Sheila James Kuehl
for a Rally in Response to the Murder of Gwen Araujo
"I am outraged by this shameful murder, which can only be classified as a hate
crime. As the author of the law that broadened California's anti-hate crime
statutes to include crimes committed against transgendered people, I know
that this case is a textbook example of why we have not advanced beyond
the need for such laws.
"At the heart of hate crime murder is the assumption that entire categories of
people are less than human; that they somehow 'deserve' to be eliminated
simply for being who they are. That kind of crime threatens the very
foundation of our diverse, democratic society. As a member of the LGBT
community, as a legislator and as an American, I stand with the family and
friends of Gwen Araujo to insist that this hideous murder must be met with
justice.
"It is clear to me that our society still has crucial work to do. Each of us,
through our insistance and participation in education, equal access and equal
opportunity, can help create a society in which these kinds of crimes become
unthinkable.
"I also find it unfortunate that some well-meaning people continue to refer to
Gwen as someone who was killed when it was discovered that 'he' was a
'man'. I believe that this young woman knew who she was and was murdered
because of her gender identity.
"My prayers go out to the family and friends of Gwen Araujo, and I pledge to
do everything I can, as a legislator, to build a state and a world in which
everyone is treated with simple decency and respect. May Gwen's memory
inspire that work."
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3. News Articles
The Argus - December 11, 2002
Opinions clash at inclusion forum: Newark residents talk about acceptance in wake of Araujo slaying
San Francisco Chronicle - November 7, 2002
What's in a pronoun? We're all trying to figure it out
Argus Newspaper - October 31, 2002
City's response to slaying under fire
San Francisco Chronicle - November 4, 2002
Chronicle Profile: Jack Thompson - Teen's Journey to Transgender Identity
Argus News, Fremont - October 29, 2002
Fear part of life for transgender youths: Gay, transgender youth live with fear
San Francisco Chronicle - October 23, 2002
Transgender teen's slaying shakes nation: Newark boy's death prompts discussions in schools, among advocates -- and at home
The Argus - October 23, 2002
Marcher to Honor Araujo's Memory
San Jose Mercury News - October 23, 2002
Newark teen's family, activists differ on memorials
Associated Press - October 18, 2002
Death of cross-dressing teen probed as possible hate crime
Argus Newspaper - October 18, 2002
Newark police name murder suspects, Tri-City area men arrested in 17-year-old's death
San Jose Mercury News - October 17, 2002
"4 men held in death of Newark teen"
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4. Statement from GLAAD About Media Coverage
October 18, 2002
FOUR ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER OF NORTHERN CA TEEN, POLICE SUSPECT
HATE CRIME
Police in Newark, CA have arrested four young men in connection with the murder of a transgender student, according to reports by local papers and the Associated Press. Authorities have officially identified the victim as 17 year-old Eddie Araujo, who had been missing since Oct. 3. Araujo was last seen attending a party at the home of two of the suspects. The Associated Press reports that Araujo was found Wednesday in a shallow grave near a campground in Placerville, 150 miles Northeast of Newark. Authorities have yet to determine the motive for the murder, but are seriously considering the possibility of this being a hate crime.
Ironically, the news comes just weeks before Newark Memorial High School will present the critically acclaimed "Laramie Project," a play that examines how hate crimes affect a community. The play is based on the events surrounding the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Laramie, Wyoming.
"Acts of violence are all too common against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth -- even in the liberal Bay Area, said Tina D'Elia, Hate Violence Director of the San Francisco-based Community United Against Violence. "Eddie Araujo was a brave transgender youth, simply trying to be herself. There is so much education we must do, or we'll continue to see attacks like this occurring.''
Local news coverage of the incident has also sparked reactions regarding the language used to describe Araujo. Many of the ongoing issues regarding terminology and pronoun usage, as well as language that ostensibly "blames the victim" have been used by a number of media outlets. "Even though these kinds of crimes continue to occur and gain attention from the media, the terminology is still often inaccurate," said Cathy Renna, GLAAD's News Media Director. "A person's sexual orientation and gender identity are distinct, and we will continue to monitor the coverage to ensure that accurate terminology is used."
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5. Media and Organization Contacts
Community United Against Violence (CUAV)
Tina D'Elia
Hate Violence Survivor Program Director
415-777-5500, x304
tina@cuav.org
PFLAG
Belinda Dronkers-Laureata
Co-President, Fremont Chapter
510-818-0887
pflagfremont@aol.com
Remembering Our Dead/Transgender Day of Remembrance
Gwendolyn Ann Smith
(925) 754-5599
gwen@gwensmith.com
GLAAD
Glenda Testone
Regional Media Director
212.629.3322 x122
Cell: 917.239.0647
testone@glaad.org
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6. Resources
GLAAD
LGBT Media Reference Guide
http://www.glaad.org/org/relations/index.html?record=2682
Gender.org
http://www.gender.org
Transgender Day of Remembrance
http://www.gender.org/remember/index.html
Tectonic Theater Project (Laramie Project)
http://www.tectonictheaterproject.org
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Eddie Araujo Jr. Memorial Fund
To make a contribution to the Eddie Araujo Jr. Memorial Fund, send your donation to:
Eddie Araujo Jr. Memorial Fund
San Benito Bank
300 Tres Pinos Road
Hollister, CA 95023 -5578
Account number 631001301508
To make a donation online:
NTAC and the Remembering Our Dead project have joined to provide transgendered and allied communities a way to make a memorial contribution for Gwen Araujo online at http://www.ntac.org/
* 100% of all contributions to the Bereavement Fund received between October 22 and November 15, 2002 will be forwarded to the Eddie Araujo Jr. Memorial Fund.