Speak Out Against Gender-Based Violence
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is inviting the public to join two virtual focus groups to provide feedback on its gender-based violence-related policies and procedures. These focus groups will be facilitated by the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR), a non-profit mediation center with experience working on gender-based violence topics. Feedback from the groups will be used to help inform changes and improvements to CPD’s policies and trainings around how officers respond to incidents involving gender-based violence and support the victims and survivors.
Over the past couple of years, trans people have become victims of transphobic violence at an alarming rate including Unique Banks, Elise Malary and many others who were killed in the Chicago area. In 2023 alone, more than a dozen trans women of color have been murdered in the United States. We believe that this number could be higher due to deadnaming (when journalists use a trans person's name assigned at birth and not the name they chose to be identified by) or misgendering by the media and other officials.
We are at a critical time for bringing attention and support to end gender-based violence in Chicago. Our work at Community Renewal Society to monitor and enforce the Consent Decree aligns closely with our efforts to support communities and individuals that experience violence based on their gender, race or identity.
We are living in a world where people are being harmed, experiencing violence at increasing levels and feeling unsafe because of who they are. We urge you to participate in these virtual focus groups as we aim to make Chicago and the world a safer space.
To register for one of the virtual sessions, please click on the link below:
CRS needs your partnership to engage and organize around issues related to inclusion, equity and the call for justice in ending gender-based violence. Register to attend this month’s LGBTQIA+ Issue Team Meeting on Monday, June 26 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM CT and our Volunteer Leader Meeting on Tuesday, June 27 at 5:30 PM. Both meetings will be held virtually via Zoom.
There’s still time to sign up to attend Pride and Poetry on Friday, June 30 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM CT. This will be a free open mic with two featured poets, Tarnynon Onumonu and Goddess Warrior the Poet, held in Dionne Victoria Studios, a Black woman owned and operated space on the Southside of Chicago and there will be catering by Taylor’s Tacos, a Black queer and woman owned business. Read our blog article to learn more about the event and the poets and register by Thursday, June 29 to secure your spot!
Lastly, we hope that you will encourage your congregation to become a part of Bayard’s Brigade, our CRS member congregations throughout Chicagoland that prioritize safety and justice for LGBTQIA+ people. Learn how this initiative was inspired by Bayard Rustin, explore open and affirming congregations and join Bayard’s Brigade here.
Together, We Win!
Kwyn Townsend Riley and the CRS Organizing and Policy Team