At this year's conference in San Jose, California, NACCS gave an award to Sylvia Guerrero and (in memoriam) to her transgender daughter, the late Gwen Araujo.
Since the murder of Gwen Araujo in 2002, Sylvia Guerrero has done tremendous outreach, especially to bay area high schools, about the challenges faced and the rights owing to transgendered teens. Guerrero is being honored for her advocacy and for her work to pass AB 1160, which eliminated the "gay panic" defense
for assault and murder.
During the awards ceremony, Sylvia Guerrero noted that, although she has received many awards, this was the first time she has been acknowledged by a Latina/o organization. She spoke movingly of the need for Latinos, who value tradition and familia, to truly love, accept, and honor all of our children.
Guerrero's brother mentioned that his father had marched with César Chávez and instilled in his children a sense of pride in being Latino. He spoke about the long struggle of Latinos in the US, and the eagerness to work hard if it could make life better for our children. "We struggled for our lives then," he said, "We didn't think she would have to struggle for her life now." He told the audience that his niece Gwen was a proud Latina. And old-school Latinos need to learn to deal with it.
Sylvia Guerrero and her family received two standing ovations.
2 comments:
This has nothing to do with the "Community Award", but I'm not sure how to post a new comment. Anyway, is anyone else confused by the "Law of the Remains" that we are reading in class? I find it interesting, but a little hard to follow. I know the history of Jeffrey Dahmer, but not quite sure what is going on in the play... even though the class reciting is humorous at times, despite the subject matter it's depicting
This comment is mad late but a friend of mine when to the conference and had a chance to talk with Ms Guerrero. What I was told is that she is very humble and committed to ensure this atrocity will not happen again. At the time of Gwen's murder is was teaching sex education in San Jose high schools. I was shocked to learn that many students where unaware of the murder. What really shocked me was how unsympathetic these students were to the subject. When we discussed the event many had negative feelings toward Gwen's lifestyle. It saddened me that many youths in contemporary society still have old-fashion and homophobic views. I wish the best for Sylvia and pray that her efforts reach more people, especially students. Paz
Post a Comment