Transgender woman rape survivor sues california prison system

Alexis Giraldo is suing the California state prison system after being repeatedly raped by her cellmate. Ms. Giraldo, a Latina transgender woman, was an inmate in 2006 and repeatedly asked prison officials be moved to a different cell after her cellmate threatened to rape her. Her demands fell on deaf ears for three months, during which time she was repeatedly raped.

She's now suing the state for failing to protect her despite her own voiced concerns for her safety. She's also suing on behalf of the Transgender community in an effort to force the state to develop new methods of safety for transgender inmates.

Community United Against Violence (CUAV) and the Transgender, Gender Variant
& Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP)are encouraging community members and social justice organizations to show their support for Ms. Giraldo as her trial begins. Court officials continue to refer to Ms. Giraldo as "him" in an attempt to attack her credibility.

From the press release:

Ms. Giraldo, who will be present to give her own testimony, and her
attorney Greg Walston, are requesting that the community attend the court
proceedings and wear RED. RED has been chosen as a symbol of the hurt and
pain caused by the violence and discrimination against our communities, as
well as a way to express power in loving solidarity. On the behalf of Ms.
Giraldo, CUAV and TGIJP are also requesting that community members sit in
silent solidarity in the courtroom. For more information about trial times
and dates please go to: www.tgijp.org . For copies
of press packet materials: http://www.tgijp.org/giraldo/presspacket.html

When: Tuesday July 17th-31st, 2007.
Where: Civic Center Courthouse, Room 622, 400 McAllister Street @ Polk St,
in San Francisco.
Time: The trial will regularly run every day from 9:30am to 4:30 pm.
Please Wear RED!

Please let CUAV & TGIJP know which dates and times you are able to attend by
emailing Tina D’Elia, the Hate Violence Survivor Program Director at CUAV,
or by calling Alexander Lee at TGIJP.

For more information:
Court Case Coordinator (inquiries about the case):
Alexander Lee at TGIJP (510) 677-5500; for daily court updates go to:
www.tgijp.org

Court Watch Coordinator (inquiries about participating in the court watch):
Yaya Ruiz, Hate Violence Advocate at CUAV – yaya@cuav.org