Cook County State’s Attorney Foxx Hosts Roundtable with Transgender Women of Color

[CHICAGO] – Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly M. Foxx today hosted a roundtable with transgender advocates from Howard Brown Health and the Chicago House, a social service agency. Victims of anti-transgender violence are overwhelmingly women of color, according to GLAAD. The group discussed sexual assault, police accountability, and developing a more streamlined process to report hate crimes. A photo from the roundtable can be found here.

“We acknowledge that violence disproportionately affects this population, which makes them vulnerable,” Foxx said. “Today we took an extra step to learn about specific challenges for transgender women of color and how my office can be helpful in improving their safety. I look forward to working together to address their concerns.”

“We appreciate State’s Attorney Foxx’s proactive outreach to our community and desire to help,” said Reyna Ortiz, TransSafe Coordinator for the Chicago House. “We were able to share our experiences with a law enforcement official in a safe environment at today’s roundtable and that’s something we don’t take lightly.”

“Violence not only perpetrated, but willfully dismissed by those in power based on gender expression, race, or any other identifying factor should be met with the utmost accountability,” said Channyn Lynne Parker of Broadway Youth Center. “We as the Trans-Community of Chicago, stand grateful for the opportunity, to be heard by such a believing champion for our safety, Kim Foxx.  We look forward to the continued investment in our community, for not only trans-people, but for all of Chicago.”

Howard Brown Health exists to eliminate the disparities in healthcare experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness.

Chicago House and Social Service agency serves individuals and families who are disenfranchised by HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ marginalization, poverty, homelessness, and/or gender nonconformity by providing housing, employment services, medical linkage and retention services, HIV prevention services, legal services and other supportive programs.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office works to uphold public safety through the fair and efficient administration of justice. Follow @SAKimFoxx and @CookCountySAO on Twitter for updates.