Ruby's Place’s Post

Earlier this month, Anderson Lee Aldrich was sentenced for the 2022 Club Q mass shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The case was investigated by the FBI. This tragic event, which targeted the LGBTQIA+ community, underscores the critical need to confront and combat hate crimes. Since 2017, the FBI Crime Data Explorer has reported at least 2,095 cases against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. These numbers are a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against hate. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As the leading federal agency in investigating civil rights violations, we are dedicated to preventing, investigating, and addressing hate crimes. This Pride Month, and every month, we stand with the survivors, victims, and families affected by homophobic violence and hate. Join us in the effort to create a safer, more just future. https://ow.ly/6Kwq50SrXoZ #FBI #FBIJobs #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #CivilRights #Purpose #Impact

We would like to share information on how Pride started and ways that some choose to recognize the month! Follow this link to learn more https://buff.ly/3Xo7OQi Statistics from the Department of Justice Programs showcase that folks in the LGBTQIA+ community are facing violence at alarmingly higher rates than those in the straight community. We also know that these types of crimes are severely underreported. You likely know someone who is experiencing this type of violence. Statistics like those listed below mean that no one can remove themselves from the conversation. Reach out to a local agency making a difference, believe your friends, write to your member of Congress, or simply share this information to raise awareness. - The rate of violent victimization of lesbian or gay persons (43.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 16 or older) was more than two times the rate for straight persons (19.0 per 1,000). - The rate of violent victimization against transgender persons (51.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 16 or older) was 2.5 times the rate among cisgender persons (20.5 per 1,000). - About 58% of violent victimizations of lesbian or gay persons were reported to police. Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/39Ir4Sp

In honor of #childabuseawarenessmonth, it's important to recognize the challenges faced by victims of domestic violence within the family court system. The legal system may not provide adequate protection, and gender stereotypes can prevent male victims and LGBTQ victims from receiving the support they need. Abusers can use the court system to continue patterns of control and abuse, and child custody concerns may compromise the safety of victims and their children. Victims often navigate the court system alone without sufficient legal or emotional support. These issues highlight the need for a more sensitive and informed approach to ensure the safety and well-being of domestic violence survivors and their children. Let's work towards a better future for all survivors. #domesticviolence #familycourtsystem #supportvictims #california

We would like to share information on how Pride started and ways that some choose to recognize the month! Follow this link to learn more https://buff.ly/3Xo7OQi Statistics from the Department of Justice Programs showcase that folks in the LGBTQIA+ community are facing violence at alarmingly higher rates than those in the straight community. We also know that these types of crimes are severely underreported. You likely know someone who is experiencing this type of violence. Statistics like those listed below mean that no one can remove themselves from the conversation. Reach out to a local agency making a difference, believe your friends, write to your member of Congress, or simply share this information to raise awareness. - The rate of violent victimization of lesbian or gay persons (43.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 16 or older) was more than two times the rate for straight persons (19.0 per 1,000). - The rate of violent victimization against transgender persons (51.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 16 or older) was 2.5 times the rate among cisgender persons (20.5 per 1,000). - About 58% of violent victimizations of lesbian or gay persons were reported to police. Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/39Ir4Sp

I feel it would be remiss and hypocritical of me not to make comment on a matter of great importance currently being reported through the National media. The alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies was heartbreaking, tragic and completely unnecessary. Their alleged killer has had more than his share of airtime and I refuse to give him any further notoriety by naming him. What is also heartbreaking, tragic and completely unnecessary is the salacious, sensationalised manner with which this entire scenario is being reported. To add further pain to this was the comments from the NSW Police Commissioner today that it was a "crime of passion". There is no such thing as a crime of passion. This was a heinous, vengeful act of power, control and entitlement over others. In my reading today, I came across a quote which perfectly surmises the current situation - "what hope is there in a change of attitudes about domestic violence when the top cop can reduce the alleged murder of a couple to a "crime of passion" when she would know what that language means and the context behind it?" Reducing these actions to a tantalising sound bite instead of the violent and vengeful act that it was detracts from the criminality and violence which are alleged to have been used so cruelly to take the lives of two innocent men. It is a narrative that is lazy, and in no way contributing to addressing the root causes of domestic and family violence which is at dire levels across the country. Words matter. The media needs to do better. Law enforcement needs to do better. We as a community need to do better. #violenceiseveryonesbusiness National Women's Safety Alliance ACON LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation

Dec 10 is #HumanRightsDay and the end of #16days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year marks the 75th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but many are still denied basic rights due to factors like race, religion, gender, disability, age, etc. #GBV is a violation of human rights. At Afro Women and Youth Foundation (AWYF), we are reminded today to continue creating safe and inclusive spaces and advocating for equity and justice. #16DaysOfActivism #EndDiscrimination #EndGBV #justicematters #humanrights75 #HumanRightsDay #equitymatters #diveristy #justice

Pride: Fighting for Progress in the Face of Adversity June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community's resilience and fight for equality. This year, however, Pride carries a somber weight. Recent studies show alarmingly high suicide rates among LGBTQIA+ youth, especially in states with discriminatory laws. Hate crimes targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals are also on the rise. (Before you comment on the American flag, we are clearly not upholding "FOR ALL". so save it) A Call to Action The recent attempts to pass laws [https://lnkd.in/gFxWQwBu] serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for basic rights and safety. These developments disproportionately impact LGBTQIA+ youth, who already face a higher risk of suicide attempts compared to their heterosexual peers. Pride is a Protest Pride isn't just about rainbows and parades. It's a call to action for allies and the LGBTQIA+ community alike. Here's how we can fight for a brighter future: Advocate for Inclusive Laws: Support legislation that protects LGBTQIA+ individuals from discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare. 🏳️🌈Combat Hate Crimes: Report and condemn hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people. Promote Mental Health Resources: Spread awareness about mental health resources specifically designed for the LGBTQIA+ community, like The Trevor Project. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and respected, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. #PrideMonth #MentalHealthMatters #StopHateCrimes #LGBTQIAInclusion

We don't need Pride events. Comments I sometimes hear and read: - You have equal rights what is Pride for. - Why do you need to celebrate who you are. - We need a heterosexual Pride. Yet in the UK in 2024 a couple is attacked simply for who they love. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️This is how we live our lives: - Check around us before holding hands with our partners in public. - Looking over our shoulders when kissing partners in open spaces. - Adjust the way we dress and act in certain social situations. - Worry that the public services we access may stigmatise us. Sadly these experiences are worse for LGBTQ+ individuals with intersectional identity, for example race, ethnicity, and disability. This list can go on but yet globally: - 64 countries criminalise homosexual activity. - 12 countries have the death penalty for homosexual activity. - 14 countries criminalise any expression for transgender people. As long as this remains the status quo there is a need for Pride events! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ #Intersectional #LGBTQ #Equality #Pride

Today, we are confronted with the dark reality of domestic violence, where 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men in the US endure intimate partner violence. However, the issue goes deeper still. African American women face a 9% higher likelihood of experiencing domestic violence, while low-income and LGBTQ+ individuals (particularly transgender women), endure disproportionately higher rates of abuse. The time for action is now. As federal funding for victim services declines, survivors require our support more than ever. We implore you to take action and advocate for the Violence Against Crime Act (VOCA) today by reaching out to your state and local representatives. For those who don’t know, VOCA, established in 1984, provides crucial financial support to organizations aiding victims of various crimes, including domestic violence and sexual assault. Its mission is to ensure that victims receive the essential services and assistance they need. If you wish to contribute, please visit the links provided below to contact your state representatives! https://lnkd.in/gAHbTEd https://lnkd.in/gP5WYVYq #VOCA #supportssurvivors #advocacy #domesticviolence #dv #support #enddv #crisis4victims

Key Questions for women to ask prospective candidates (Part 2): Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Will you prioritise prevention of violence against women and girls, and will you take a ‘whole society approach' which looks beyond the criminal justice system? What will you do to tackle misogyny and sexism in schools, on the streets and online? How will you ensure that all children and young people have access to high-quality, inclusive and age appropriate Relationships, Sex and Health education, that challenges gender stereotypes and addresses all types of misogyny? How will you tackle the chronic underfunding of Violence Against Women and Girls specialist support services, particularly ‘by and for’ organisations which support Black and minoritised women, deaf and disabled women and LGBTQ+ survivors? What will you do to implement a whole-society response to domestic abuse (including using levers in health, economic and family courts) to ensure that all women are able to access support and escape and recover from abuse? What steps will you take to ensure that migrant women are not excluded from protection and that disabled women can access appropriate support? #shevotes24 #womenwinelections @SoroptimistSIGBI