In April of 2012, GLAAD and other national LGBT organizations stated that the shooting death of Trayvon Martin was a national call for action. This weekend when the man who killed Trayvon, George Zimmerman, was found not guilty of all charges, we renew that call for action.
From the April 2012 statement: "Many in our community have been targets of bigotry and bias. We have a great deal of experience grappling with the role bias plays in violent crimes against our communities. We well know the stories of young people targeted for violence just because of who they are: Rashawn Brazell, Lawrence King, Ali Forney, Deoni Jones, Brandon White, Matthew Shepard, Angie Zapata, Sean Kennedy and countless others."
Since the verdict was announced, members of the LGBT community have spoken out and stood in solidarity with Trayvon Martin's family. The LGBT community knows the effects of bias and hate violence all too well, as we see from the new NCAVP report on hate violence and the recent, highly-publicized anti-LGBT attacks in New York City.
"My heart breaks for Trayvon Martin's parents, family, friends, and everyone who has called for justice for Trayvon. GLAAD continues to stand with them and all of our partners working for social justice," stated Wilson Cruz, GLAAD’s National Spokesperson. "As LGBT people, and as people of color, we know that we cannot be truly free until there is justice for all, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or gender identity."
GLAAD will continue to work to end discrimination and hate violence. We stand with Trayvon Martin and his family and continue to call for justice.
Speak out: find a rally in your area or sign the NAACP's #JusticeForTrayvon petition. New York City-area residents, see the Anti-Violence Project's call to rally Sunday at 6pm.
Read the national LGBT organizations' April 2012 statement calling for action after Trayvon Martin's death.