Sex, Identity, and The Fight for Basic Rights

Two landmark cases that overturned the targeted attempts on the part of states across the United States to criminalize being queer. In 1982 and 1998, both Michael Hardwick, John Geddes Lawrence Jr., and Tyron Garner were arrested for having sex in the privacy of their own homes.

A State of Emergency: Violence Against Black Trans Women, A Cry for Justice

4 Black Trans Women Killed – A State of Emergency from across the country of black transgender women murdered by gun violence. All but one of these cases is solved. All of the women deserve the same justice.

 

A College Football Player's Deadly Secret: The Ty Underwood Case

On January 26, 2015, residents of a quiet Tyler, Texas neighborhood were startled awake when a car came to a sudden stop, followed by the sound of gunfire. When police arrived, they found the body of 24-year-old Ty Underwood shot to death behind the wheel of her car. Following a trail of clues, police soon arrested 21-year-old Texas College student and football player Carlton Ray Champion Jr. The trial that followed would expose a relationship a killer was desperate to hide.  

 

The Mysterious Death of Timothy Lee

On the evening of November 2, 1985, 23-year-old fashion design student Timothy Charles Lee fell asleep on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train while traveling home after work in San Francisco. Eleven hours later, he was found hanging from a tree in a vacant lot near the Concord BART station.

 

The Murder of Mr. Tidd

On a warm Miami, Florida evening in 1959, 32, Chelcie Tidd met a handsome stranger and invited him home. At the end of the evening, Tidd's body would be found floating in his pool, and the 23, James Seitz would be on the run. In custody, Seitz would recite line and verse a tale of an unwanted advance and his violent homosexual panic response. A closer look at his past would challenge the idea of panic.

 

Sex, Identity, and The Fight for Basic Rights

Two landmark cases that overturned the targeted attempts on the part of states across the United States to criminalize being queer. In 1982 and 1998, both Michael Hardwick, John Geddes Lawrence Jr., and Tyron Garner were arrested for having sex in the privacy of their own homes.

It would take decades to overturn the redefinition of sodomy that sought to criminalize the act of same-sex sex. Some of you might be surprised, as I am every time I review these facts, how recent they are. Now and then, someone leaves a comment about how long ago some of the events covered on the channel were. 

My response is that current events make a powerful case for telling these stories. Having a firm grounding in what's come before is a solid way of facing the triumphs and challenges to come. 

 

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RESOURCES:

Here is a list of contact information for inquiries or tips about these homicides:

Honee Daniels (Rochester, NY) Rochester Police Department Public Information Officer: Gregory Bello (no direct public phone listed, contact via main line) Rochester Police Department non-emergency: (585) 428-6690 For general tips, contact Rochester Police or check local news sources for updates. 

Redd / Barbie (Chicago, IL) Chicago Police Department Non-Emergency: 311 (within city limits) Anti-Gun Enforcement Hotline: (877) CPD-GUNS (273-4867) Gang Hotline: (312) 746-GANG (4264) General contact and tips: Chicago Police Department website or hotline numbers. 

Tai Lathan (Baltimore, MD) Baltimore Police Department Homicide Unit: (410) 396-2100 Metro Crime Stoppers (anonymous tips): 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-752-6587) Community advocates such as Maryland Safe Haven are also involved. 

Monique Brooks (Orlando, FL) Orange County Sheriff's Office Crimeline (anonymous tips and reward): 1-800-423-TIPS (1-800-423-8477) Orange County Sheriff's Office main line: (407) 836-4357 For updates, check Orange County Sheriff's social media or news releases. 

Shannon Boswell (Atlanta, GA) DeKalb County Police Department Non-Emergency: (404) 294-2911 For further tips or information, contact DeKalb County PD or local community organizations. 

These contacts are intended for providing information or tips related to these homicide investigations. If immediate assistance is needed or to report a crime in progress, always call 911.