D.C. Launches First Ever Trans Respect Campaign
SOURCE:
Officials at Washington, DC's Office of Human Rights, in consultation with transgender advocates and community members, have developed a new ad campaign "to increase understanding and respect for the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, decrease incidents of discrimination and increase reporting of discrimination to OHR."
The series of five ads will appear throughout DC this fall and feature local transgender and gender non-conforming people.
"We put forth a powerful and optimistic message because of the courageous community members featured in the ads, but those of us involved in the campaign’s development were consistently focused on our primary goal: to reduce the discrimination faced by transgender and gender non-conforming people," said Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the DC Office of Human Rights.
In response to anti-trans violence in the city, Mayor Vincent Gray attended the campaign launch.
"I think it’s going to have a great impact," said Kisha, one of the models in the campaign. "The fact that it is going to be right there in your face. People will see transgender people. They’re going through everyday life, everyday struggles—the same as straight people, rich people, everyone."
Organizers of the campaign said they hope viewers will interact with and comment on the campaign through social media. View the ad series on the Office of Human Rights' Facebook page or follow #TransRespect on Twitter to join the conversation.
Dahlia Grossman-Heinze is a reporter-blogger for Campus Progress. Follow her on Twitter @salvadordahlia.
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