TransGriot Note: Update on the ongoing Covenant House Texas mess. CHT Board member Andrea Moore responds to Houston City Councilmember Jolanda Jones.And here is the lawyer's response to the CM:
Council Member Jones,
...
Thanks so much for your e-mail. I think that yours and my last e-mail to Ms. Williams may have just crossed paths.
While prior communications may have been less than you expected, I can assure you that Ronda Robinson's life focus has been to provide safe shelter and services for all young people.
To date, CHT has not adopted a GLBT specific policy as the organization's belief is that no individual served by CHT should ever be ill-treated, much less bullied or discriminated against. Frankly, it is my personal belief that any policy that defines the treatment that a specific defined group of individuals should receive, does more to segregate them than to emphasize that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated that way.
I look forward to meeting you and Ms. Williams and will look forward to Ms. Bocardo's call or e-mail.
Sincerely,
Andrea Moore
***
She's got to be kidding on this part:
Frankly, it is my personal belief that any policy that defines the treatment that a specific defined group of individuals should receive, does more to segregate them than to emphasize that we are all created equal and deserve to be treated that way.
Since 2003 CHT has shown a blatant disregard for the welfare of trans and LGB children. The LACK of a policy has contributed to that culture of disrespect and possibly led to the death of a transperson. It's past time for CHT to create a policy with specific non-discrimination language applicable to TBLG people.
It also needs to have enforcement teeth that spells out a range of punishment for violations of it up to and including termination.
Stop stonewalling and trying to PR spin this situation and do the right thing, Covenant House Texas..
