We in the U.S. Must Act for Trans Woman Jennifer Laude where Filipinos Cannot
We in the U.S. Must Act for Trans Woman Jennifer Laude where Filipinos Cannot
Editorial from the so-called Philippines, a former colony of the so-called United States, on the horrific, transphobic murder of Jennifer Laude by Joseph Scott Pemberton, a Lance Corporal in the US Marine Corps, on October 11th, 2014. Pemberton claimed "self-defense" in the murder of Laude for not "...
Pemberton committed a heinous hate crime by brutally murdering Jennifer Laude on October 11, 2014. Jennifer was murdered precisely because she was transgender, with Pemberton’s legal team even trying the so-called “trans panic” defense as a justification for her murder. The Philippine state appears to have sided with Pemberton’s excuse that Jennifer’s identity was a provocation in itself, inducing Pemberton to kill her. This defense frames Pemberton as the victim and sets a dangerous precedent for trans women in the archipelago and beyond.
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There is still time to make up for this injustice. Do not allow Pemberton to forget the vile crime he committed. You must prevent Pemberton from committing harm again. You must petition Pemberton’s prospective universities and employers to not accept him on account of his violent past. You must picket his home with memorials to Jennifer Laude. You must reveal to the world what a hateful and spiteful little man he is. Above all, we ask you to remember Jennifer Laude as a victim of white supremacy and include her in your commemorations of the victims of white supremacy.