PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jewel on behalf of a Legal Aid Society client regarding Intro 625
3:00:20
·
166 sec
Jewel presented a statement from a transgender woman currently in DOCCS custody, who had previously spent time in NYC jails. The statement strongly supports Intro 625, which aims to improve housing and treatment for transgender individuals in correctional facilities.
- The client emphasizes the urgency of passing Intro 625 to address issues of gender identity, respect, and safety in jails.
- The statement highlights the mental and emotional consequences of current practices on transgender individuals in custody.
- The testimony calls on the City Council to embrace change and vote in favor of Intro 625 to ensure safety and justice for LGBTQ people in correctional facilities.
Jewel
3:00:20
Hello.
3:00:21
My name is Jewel, and the following is a statement submitted by a legal aid society client who is a transgender woman currently in New York state's DOCCS custody.
3:00:33
The client spent significant time in the New York City jails prior to her time up state.
3:00:38
She spent time in both men's and women's jails and submitted this in support of intro 625.
3:00:45
Quote, to do what is right without a sense of urgency is like a fireman going into a burning building, but stopping to ponder over it.
3:00:55
I fear that words are no use in trying to explain the urge, the need, and the dignity dower at stake for humanity.
3:01:03
If we don't pass this bill as a stepping stone and pillar for people, gender identity, respect, and safety, there is a legal maximum that states.
3:01:14
The body cannot be blamed and guilty of a crime if the mind isn't guilty also.
3:01:21
The mind of the city council and jail administrations years ago are different than the minds of today.
3:01:28
We have advanced in science, DNA, and now artificial intelligence.
3:01:33
We are wiser, and we must learn from past mistakes.
3:01:36
I truly do not blame the current city council for the decisions that were made in the past with DOC administrations.
3:01:45
The consequences of those past decisions are mental anguish, poor self esteem, and a degrading sense of worth, suicidal thoughts, and a constant philosophical battle of answering the question.
3:02:00
Am I a human being?
3:02:01
Knowing the consequences, the city council would be to blame and held responsible if they fail to act.
3:02:08
So ask yourself, what did I not do?
3:02:11
What is it I could do a little bit more?
3:02:14
The answer is to vote in favor of intro 625.
3:02:18
You have the power to help be the solution or prolong the problem.
3:02:23
You can resist change and potentially get ran over by it.
3:02:28
Or you could choose to cooperate and adapt and learn how to benefit from it.
3:02:34
When you embrace change, you begin to see an opportunity for growth.
3:02:39
The question the question on this matter is Do LGBTQ people feel safe?
3:02:47
Without intro 6 25, there is no law in order for LGBTQ people.
3:02:52
We do not feel safe.
3:02:54
There is no justice.
3:02:55
We must stop asking if the pain of staying the same is less than a pain of growth and simply grow.
3:03:02
Vote in favor of intro 625.
3:03:05
Thank you.
