http://www.tri.org/ en-us Copyright 2009, tri.org Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:04:15 -0400 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:04:15 -0400 Community TRI CMS The news feed from TRI.ORG. http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F06%2F02%2Fthank-you-for-a-great-motor-city-pride-celebration.html Triangle Foundation and Motor City Pride Committee would like to thank the entire community for its overwhelming support of Motor city Pride on June 7. This was the largest and best PRIDE ever and there were only very minor incidents. At least 50,000 members of our families, friends and allies were out showing their support. Dave Wait, a member of the Triangle Foundation Board of Trustee, was the Chairperson for MCP and the MCP Committee did a fantastic job in presenting the 2009 celebration. It was wonderful seeing the lgbt family enjoying the day, but more importantly we treasure the opportunity to provide a safe space to be themselves. The mood was great, the weather held out, and everyone was showing their pride. We have received a lot of positive comments about the new layout from Festival participants, vendors, merchants and city officials. We already have some ideas for new areas for next year, and encourage anyone that might be interested in working on next year's planning committee to contact dave@tri.org. Tue, 2 Jun 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F05%2F21%2Fhate-crimes-legislation-passes-michigan-house.html Triangle Foundation is pleased to report that this afternoon the Michigan House of Representatives passed the Michigan Anti-Bias Crime Statute (MI-ABCs), an important piece of hate crimes legislation that improves upon current Michigan law. MI-ABCs expands current Michigan hate crimes legislation to include protection against crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, among other classifications. The legislation enables law enforcement and the judicial system to appropriately charge and prosecute offenders when their actions are aimed at creating a climate of fear and intolerance. The FBI ranks Michigan third in the nation for the highest number of hate crimes. With Triangle Foundation reporting a 133% increase in anti-LGBT incidents in 2007, the need for this legislation is imperative to send the message that hate is not a Michigan value. The bill passed largely along party lines with a vote of 66 to 43, with support from Republican Representatives Larry DeShazor and Tory Rocca. It doesn't end at the House passage, though. The bill will now move on to the Senate. We need you to take action by contacting your State Senator to let them know their constituents support MI-ABCs! Non-Michigan residents, encouraged by conservative groups, put significant pressure on our Representatives to vote against MI-ABCs. We are sure that our Senators will be pressured to vote against it, as well. Do not let non-Michigan residents control the outcome of the Senate's vote! As a result of Triangle Foundation's 18 years of direct work with victims of anti-LGBT violence, our organization sees the need for this kind of protection, and we have advocated for hate crimes legislation for over ten years. This afternoon's passage is a huge victory for our community and for our state; please help us ensure another victory in the Senate by contacting your Senator today! _____________________ Triangle Foundation's mission is to promote equality and to secure freedom from violence, intimidation and discrimination for LGBT persons throughout Michigan. Thu, 21 May 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F04%2F29%2Fjustice-for-angie-zapata.html From: Melissa L. Pope, Director of Victim Services Angie Zapata was a beautiful eighteen-year-old transgender woman who was found murdered in her home on July 17, 2008. The murderer, Allen Ray Andrade, beat Angie to death with a fire extinguisher. Why? Because she was transgender. Andrade tried to use the "trans panic defense", saying he was so shocked and outraged when he learned that Angie was transgender that he flew into an uncontrollable murderous rage. He tried to blame Angie for his murder of her. The Colorado jury did not buy it. They rejected this preposterous explanation and found him guilty of First Degree Murder AND committing a Hate Crime. This was the first time that a killer was convicted of a bias crime in the United States for the murder of a transgender person. This rejection of ignorance and hatred gives justice to Angie, her family, her friends and the LGBT community, but it will not end the violence against transgender persons. We must stay committed in the struggle against prejudice to achieve full respect and equality for the transgender community and the LGBT community as a whole so that we do not have to celebrate the victory of convictions, but rather that there are no hate crimes at all. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Angie Zapata as they continue their difficult path towards healing. In her memory, and the memory of the hundreds of others who have lost their lives to hate, we pledge our ongoing commitment to end violence against the LGBT community. _____ The Department of Victim Services offers free and confidential crisis intervention and information, criminal justice advocacy and support, and personal advocacy and support, as well as referrals to LGBT-sensitive shelters, social service agencies, counselors, and attorneys. If you have been the victim of anti-LGBT or HIV-positive violence, vandalism, intimidation, harassment or discrimination, call us at 313-537-7000 or toll-free at 877-787-4262. We can help. Support us in our work to promote equality and secure freedom from violence, intimidation and discrimination for LGBT persons throughout Michigan. Join Triangle Foundation. http://www.tri.org/get-active Wed, 29 Apr 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F04%2F03%2Fiowa-gets-it.html Same Gender Marriage in the Midwest!! Iowa Supreme Court Rules Favorably!!The Triangle Foundation applauds the decision of the Iowa Supreme Court stating that excluding same–sex couples from civil marriage is unconstitutional. The Iowa Supreme Court is the fourth state high court to rule in this manner after Massachusetts, California, and Connecticut. This is historic!! The state of Iowa fulfills the promise of its Constitution to provide liberty and equality to all its citizens. What does this mean? The final legal analysis is not yet in, but at the Triangle Foundation, It means IOWA GETS IT!! Fri, 3 Apr 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F04%2F01%2Ftriangle-foundation-server-operational-again.html Triangle Foundation's server was down for about 10 days and returned to service on April 7. Some minor adjustments are being performed so we thank you for your patience in dealing with any quirks. As you can imagine, when the server went back into service, our email folders were stuffed. Please be patient as we strive to catch up and return email messages. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Wed, 1 Apr 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F03%2F26%2Fgayest-spring-break-ever.html Gayest Spring Break Ever!Many college students across the country go on Spring Break around midterms to prepare themselves for the rest of the semester. Some of these students take an alternative approach to this vacation and spend the week learning and serving various communities. Triangle Foundation was selected by multiple universities for Alternative Spring Break (ASB). Students traveled from Boston, Miami, and even our own Ann Arbor to learn about LGBT activism and help spread the word about true equality and what everyone can do to make that happen. Click Here to read an article in Between the Lines about the group from Boston University! The following is a personal statement made from one of the most recent Spring Break students. His name is Hernando and he is a current student at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F03%2F19%2Ftriangle-foundation-announces-new-trustees.html Detroit, MI (March 19, 2009) - Triangle Foundation, Michigan's leading LGBT civil rights organization, proudly announces three new additions to its Board of Trustees. Joining the Board will be Paula Merideth of Detroit, Rachel Lutz of Bloomfield Hills, and Joy Geng of Dearborn, who is also a founding member of the organization. "We are honored that they will be joining us," says Denise Brogan-Kator, newly elected Board of Trustees Chair. "These community members have had a long commitment to progress in Michigan and advocacy within the LGBT communities." "Our invitation to these individuals to join the Board came out of our desire to infuse the Board with new ideas, new energy, and diverse talents," said Brogan-Kator. "We are actively seeking qualified people to serve on the Board who will further the mission and vision of our organization and who have an understanding of the current environment of the LGBT movement and the challenges we face." "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Alicia and the entire staff." said Joy Geng, entering Board Member at Triangle Foundation. "They are young, passionate, and hard working. It's just as exciting now as it was when Triangle first began." Thu, 19 Mar 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F03%2F18%2Fpick--up-crimes-increase-in-michigan.html Protecting Yourself from Pick-Up CrimesBy Melissa Pope, Director of Victim Services With the tragic murder of William Boss, we are reminded how dangerous this world can be for the LGBT community. We are grateful in this case that at least the perpetrator has been caught and will, hopefully, be brought to justice. The assailant is currently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and is due back in court in April. We will be monitoring this trial and will share with you what we learn as the trial progresses. The circumstances surrounding William's murder indicate that this may have been a pick-up crime. In pick-up crimes, the victim is chosen because they are vulnerable. In some cases, that means that the perpetrator thinks it will be easy to persuade the victim to go to a secluded location to rob, beat, sexually assault or kill the victim. In other cases, the victim may be chosen because they are not out or not out in all aspects of their life. The assailant thinks that the victim won't report the crime. It is paramount that you know some ways to keep yourself safe whether you are interacting with partners out in the community or online. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2009%2F03%2F12%2Fmichigan-department-of-corrections.html LANSING, MI – MARCH 12, 2009 – Triangle Foundation commends the Michigan Department of Corrections for adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the non-discrimination policy of its "Humane Treatment and Living Conditions for Prisoners" Policy Directive. The addition to the policy, which states that prisoners "shall not be discriminated against based on race, religion, ethnic background, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or gender identity," provides an important protection for LGBT prisoners. Specifically, the policy affords all prisoners the same rights to protection from mental or physical abuse regardless of "personal prejudices." As an organization that advocates for victims of anti-LGBT hate violence, discrimination and harassment, Triangle Foundation views this as a step forward for equality and safety in the prison community. "Triangle Foundation extends its gratitude to Director Patricia Caruso and her staff for their leadership in bringing LGBT issues to light within the Department of Corrections," stated Bernadette Brown, Triangle's Director of Policy. "We look forward to continuing our work with the Department and with Director Caruso." It is the mission of Triangle Foundation to promote equality and to secure freedom from violence, intimidation and discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons throughout Michigan. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tri.org%2Fnews%2F2008%2F12%2F24%2Fyear-end-letter-from-our-executive-director.html I’d like to first say thank for supporting Triangle through all of the changes that have occurred during 2008. Some staff have moved on to blossom in other areas of nonprofit work. We all benefit from those moves because it increases the network of pro-LGBT persons, allies, and organizations.As a member of the community, you have seen the effectiveness of Triangle through lobbying in Lansing to create more favorable laws for LGBT citizens. We will continue to press the legislature for equal rights. You also know the needed support that Triangle gives to victims of violence and hate crimes. Hate crime is on the rise. When economic hardship rises, the number of hate crimes also increases. Sadly, this means the number of victims also increases. Wed, 24 Dec 2008