By Frank B.
Lost or rejected, on the streets and without a clear voice, many trans-identified youth experience hate. Often easy targets and seldom asking for trouble, knowing that violence will eventually find them, these are just good kids with a tough set of issues that we as adults need to look into what our community can do to protect and empower. Preventing violence is OUR responsibility, as every person has the right to a life free from the fear and expectation of violence. This responsibility is ours as a whole, and routes the typical barriers that divide- age, race, gender, and even social class. This is a pure opportunity to come united, lay down the arms we all too often point at our own, and show in a peaceful fashion our true love and send a message to the world that violence will not figure in the Better Tomorrow.
This is a voice being raised for voices that can't. Pay attention and start a dialogue: how can we better change our neighbourhood and make a safe place for youth who identify and/or present themselves outside of the traditional gender roles? Violence destroys us all, and no child should ever have to live life in fear or expectation of violence. Open up the conversation SEATTLE, and let's do something to remind once more that violence against women has no place in the future, and that future starts with the kids on the street and a willing commitment on our part as adults to look past boy or girl and see the young person as they see their self, and encourage positive out-look as role models. We should be more willing to accept our own more readily than the rest of society, so why haven't we?