Rolling Stone article about Gwen Araujo

[joyboy123]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/6959159?pageid=rs.NewsArchive&pageregion=mainRegion&rnd=1108094994800&has-player=false

[LG]

I read about this a while ago and was very distressed when I did. It is such a shame that a beautiful young girl like Gwen Araujo, a girl who was finally starting to lead the life she wanted to lead, was killed so violently because of some people's homophobia- the panic that got into them when they realised that the objective of their desire had a cock.

Gwen may have tried to trick people, but she did not deserve to be hurt, much less killed. All she wanted was to be treated like a woman, to be desired. And there is no excuse to murder.

Such a shame. A life lost and others destroyed because of people's, of society's inability to understand, to accept.

[TrueBeauty TS]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/6959159?pageid=rs.NewsArchive&pageregion=mainRegion&rnd=1108094994800&has-player=false

Thanks Joyboy, for posting that. Horrible story, but it's good that people here have to opportunity to read it, if they will.

Thanks again.

[Toro]

unreal - reading that story made me so angry. those guys and anyone else in on it should fry.

[lurker]

Indeed, thank you for posting this link.

The information in the story was very enlightening about how this event happened. And though I see no justification for a murder, it is clear that the small minded individiuals in this case would see no other resolution.

This just re-emphasizes that we all need to be careful with the people around us, and above all honest with the people with whom we are involved.

--lurker

[El_hefe]

Thanks for posting, really horrible story, I hope justice is done when they are sentenced. I know justice will be done to them once they're inside, they won't have to worry then about "seeming" gay.

[Hugh Jarrod]

I live near the church where her services were held, and a friend of mine teaches at her high school. This was a tragedy in that the jury seems to have thought that she deserved a death sentence for having tricked someone into oral sex. Grant it what she did was wrong, but by no means did the punishment fit the crime. Some kid thinks it's the end of his life because he was blown by someone genetically born the same gender as him, and that makes it OK to commit murder! I feel for her family deeply.

[GroobySteven]

Excellent article.
While in no way condoning what happened to Gwen, similar incidents have happened/are happening constantly. A transgender tricks a guy into sex only for him to find out later - while most incidents probably result in nothing of significance, there are still many which end in violence and tears.

It would be easy to blame this on "homophobic" people but in truth most of these guys who are tricked probably aren't so much homophobic but when presented with a shock that they've been tricked...for whatever reason, react as only their religious and social indoctrines allow them to. They're not guys going out looking for fairy's to beat up on - they're guys who have picked up a girl only to find something else, long after they have committed to something.

Again, I don't want this to devolve into an argument of justification for murder/violence but what do transgenders who do this sort of behavior expect? It's easy to see what they get out of it - the thrill of passing as a gender girl, the thrill of being "bad" and maybe even the validation of their looks (I suspect the thrill is the main part). I've met many girls who have participated in similar situations to what Gwen did.

In my opinion, the problem lies with the girls who delibrately try and trick guys (it's cool in a bar or club - but as soon as he advances to take you home, 'fess up) into situations like this. They not only bring danger to themselves, they cause distress to people who never aimed to put themselves in that situation as well as bring a bad vibe on the community in general.
seanchai

[Hugh Jarrod]

Excellent article.
While in no way condoning what happened to Gwen, similar incidents have happened/are happening constantly. A transgender tricks a guy into sex only for him to find out later - while most incidents probably result in nothing of significance, there are still many which end in violence and tears.

It would be easy to blame this on "homophobic" people but in truth most of these guys who are tricked probably aren't so much homophobic but when presented with a shock that they've been tricked...for whatever reason, react as only their religious and social indoctrines allow them to. They're not guys going out looking for fairy's to beat up on - they're guys who have picked up a girl only to find something else, long after they have committed to something.

Again, I don't want this to devolve into an argument of justification for murder/violence but what do transgenders who do this sort of behavior expect? It's easy to see what they get out of it - the thrill of passing as a gender girl, the thrill of being "bad" and maybe even the validation of their looks (I suspect the thrill is the main part). I've met many girls who have participated in similar situations to what Gwen did.

In my opinion, the problem lies with the girls who delibrately try and trick guys (it's cool in a bar or club - but as soon as he advances to take you home, 'fess up) into situations like this. They not only bring danger to themselves, they cause distress to people who never aimed to put themselves in that situation as well as bring a bad vibe on the community in general.
seanchai


I'd agree as I stated above what she did was wrong, and I see by your post that you agree that the punishment does not fit the crime. Well said my friend.

[El_hefe]

In general seanchai I agree with you, but she was a teenager just trying to figure out who she really was in this world. Tough enough when you don't have seemingly overwhelming gender and / or sexuality issues to unravel. I remember how important being accepted was then, even if they were the worst crowd for her, she probably felt she was accepted somewhere as the girl she wanted to become.

[GroobySteven]

Well I don't agree that it was pre-meditated murder and I expect that when there is a retrial they will get justifed prison terms.
seanchai

[Toro]

"Between drags, Jaron was giving the matter some serious thought. They all agreed that if someone did this to a killer, that person would "get smoked." Jaron was always talking like that, trying to sound like a mobster instead of an econ major. But later, recounting the conversation in a letter to his girlfriend, Jaron reported that the guys knew what they were going to do if Lida turned out to be a guy. "We went off on a Tony Soprano-type plan to kill the bitch and get rid of the body," Jaron wrote."

Sounds like Murder-1 to me. I just wish capital punishment laws would be changed to represent the level or barbarity in the crime. These fucks should get tortured to death the way they tortured Gwen.

I also, however, think there's going to be a lot of heat on the mom - the story says prior to her death, the mom had picked her up once after she had been beat up after fooling some guys, and since Gwen was 17, the mom is responsible for her. But I don't think that will have any outcome on the verdict. I pray it doesn't, at least.

[Hugh Jarrod]

If they end up in prison let's hope they aren't tricked into performing oral for the other inmates. I pretty sure they'll be upfront about it.

[Toro]

I like the fact that the one dude was an econ major - something tells me it won't be Adam Smith's 'invisible hand' he'll be feeling on his ass.

[LBCDO]

I also, however, think there's going to be a lot of heat on the mom - the story says prior to her death, the mom had picked her up once after she had been beat up after fooling some guys, and since Gwen was 17, the mom is responsible for her. But I don't think that will have any outcome on the verdict. I pray it doesn't, at least.

Im not sure about Cali, but here in GA in the eyes of the law you are considered an adult, old enough for sexual consent, old enough to be thrown the hell out, old enough to be charged with a felony. I heard its like that for many states now

[ONEWORLD]

YEAH, I REMEMBER THIS STORY WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED AND I'M GLAD TO SEE SOME KIND OF RESOLUTION...


unreal - reading that story made me so angry. those guys and anyone else in on it should fry.

ME TOO, BUT UNFORTUATELY THIS HAPPENS WAY TOO OFTEN...

YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD THE TYRA HUNTER OR AMANDA MILAN STORIES...

THIS SITE IS A VERY SOBERING LOOK INTO TO WHAT SOME OF THESE GURLS FACE...

http://www.rememberingourdead.org/#



In my opinion, the problem lies with the girls who delibrately try and trick guys (it's cool in a bar or club - but as soon as he advances to take you home, 'fess up) into situations like this. They not only bring danger to themselves, they cause distress to people who never aimed to put themselves in that situation as well as bring a bad vibe on the community in general.

YES, I AGREE BUT THERE IS ANOTHER CULPRIT THAT SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY...

THIS STORY WAS RECENTLY DONE ON SOME MAGAZINE SHOW ON CNBC WHERE I SAW, TO HER CREDIT, GWEN'S MOTHER WAS TOTALLY COMFORTABLE WITH GWEN'S IDENTITY AND TRIED SUPPORT HER IN ANY WAY...

BUT AS WE KNOW THAT EVEN WITH TEEN-AGE GG'S, THEIR PARENTS NEED TO TEACH THEM HOW TO AVOID CERTAIN TYPES OF GUYS AND THEY ALSO NEED TO KNOW WHERE THEIR KIDS ARE AT ALL TIMES...

IT'S NOT ALL HER PARENTS FAULT, BUT FOR ME; PARENTS ALWAYS MUST ASSUME SOME RESPONSIBILITY WHEN TEEN-AGER DIE IN A SENSELESS MANNER...

[Slither]

She was way caught up in the wrong lifestyle and there's nobody to blame for that but herself. Living like that(doing drugs and letting random men pick you up of the street and have sex with you) can get you killed whether you're a TG or GG.

Still a very sad story though, too bad it had to end how it did. Some people are just assholes. Those guys will get what's coming to them.

[Slither]

double post.

[werewulf]

Well I don't agree that it was pre-meditated murder and I expect that when there is a retrial they will get justifed prison terms.
seanchai

between this post and your post about the murder not being motivated by homophobia, I wonder if you read the article. If it occured as reported, the murder was most definitely both premeditated and a result of homophobia.

[GroobySteven]

I read it correctly.
It doesn't mean I have to agree with everything it says and all my comments weren't on only this case.
I agree that rage against a homosexual (or in this case transgender) came into it, at the point where they questioned her gender. Pre-meditated? The situation was already set up for them to react to. Would a defense argue that the injury they felt to themselves was some sort of motivation?

My point is - if these girls put themselves in these situations - invoking the rage/anger and hatred of individuals, then there are going to be tears.

I don't think the fact she was 17 has anything to do with it either. Where I come from that's old enough get married, live alone, have a child, drive a car and (almost) get a drink. That's an adult. Upbringing might have more to do with it?
seanchai

[bezane]

Oddly enough Sean, it bothers me a bit that many girls prefer men that think they're GGs. I mean, I'm far from a raging gay dude but am comfortable around a TS. Why does that make me less attractive to a girl? Don't blame the victim, but let's stop playing with fire. You are what you are.

[LBCDO]

ITs less attractive because the average man that wants a TS for being a TS wants her just to fuck

[Hugh Jarrod]

ITs less attractive because the average man that wants a TS for being a TS wants her just to fuck


I'd agree, I had actually planned to make a documantry film about tranny chasers. However there was trouble finding guys to talk about it on film as most considered themselves straight and would be embarrased to be on film and seen as gay. While many others were married or had girlfriends, and Tgirls were a hobby. As well many saw it as a novelty or fetish thing. Almost none were to be in it for an open commited relationship.

[lmw222001]

A few years ago there was this really horrible murder in Boston. This guy picked up a TGirl in a Tgirl club, had been in the club plenty of times, had been with other Tgirls and was heard telling the girl he picked up that,
"you're the most beautiful pre-op I've seen."
They went back to his house, got high and something really ugly happened.
He strangeled the poor girl to death.
His defense. He didn't ,"know she was a transexual."
Sentence? 2 fucking years.
A friend of mine was in prison with him and told me he knew she was a TGirl.
These are such a fucking shame.

[Hugh Jarrod]

A few years ago there was this really horrible murder in Boston. This guy picked up a TGirl in a Tgirl club, had been in the club plenty of times, had been with other Tgirls and was heard telling the girl he picked up that,
"you're the most beautiful pre-op I've seen."
They went back to his house, got high and something really ugly happened.
He strangeled the poor girl to death.
His defense. He didn't ,"know she was a transexual."
Sentence? 2 fucking years.
A friend of mine was in prison with him and told me he knew she was a TGirl.
These are such a fucking shame.


That's the real crime here, if these fuck offs end up in prison I'll bet they get hardly any time. After all who could blame them they were made fools of by the big bad scary threat to society.