As with the untimely death of friend and community business owner John McCusker, tragedy has the potential to bring issues forward that have long been neglected or overlooked. Following the loss of McCusker to a drug overdose, the community united in action, making the campaign against crystal meth and other party drugs the priority. Since that time, we’ve seen the formation of the San Diego GLBT Tavern Guild, as well as community-wide forums and other organized efforts to curb crystal meth abuse in the gay community.

Tragedy has struck our community once again. Two transsexuals are in critical condition and on life support following a deadly silicone party that took place last Sunday, June 21. Following injections of what was believed to be medical-grade silicone, the two women were rushed to hospitals hours after experiencing breathing trouble. Currently, police are searching for Sammia “Angelica” Gonzalez, who allegedly injected five transgender women at the Florida Street party. Gonzalez, who is not licensed in California as a medical professional, faces manslaughter or even second-degree murder charges, depending on the circumstances of the case.

After this story broke, it became evident that even within the GLBT community transgender issues are largely misunderstood and often overshadowed by the larger gay and lesbian communities. Directly injecting silicone into the body by an unlicensed practitioner may seem barbaric. However, following an evaluation of the core issues afflicting the transgender community – particularly the challenges involved in transitioning to the identified gender – one is able to wrap their hands around why such tragedies continue to happen.

The issues facing the transgender community are many, including high unemployment due to discriminatory laws; lack of health care through discriminatory insurance companies or insensitive health care providers who aren’t educated about the specific needs of the transgender community; high poverty levels; widespread depression and other mental health challenges; and an increased risk of HIV/AIDS infection.

Health care is the biggie. Few medical providers are equipped with the necessary education and training to administer appropriate medical care to the transgender community, with even fewer insurance companies providing assistance for necessary hormone treatments or cosmetic surgery, leaving the individual solely responsible for the associated costs. Now factor in that the transgender community averages a 50 to 70 percent unemployment rate and, according to U.S. Health and Human Services, earns an average annual income of $9,750, and you’re starting to get the picture.

Male-to-female (MTF) transsexuals travel a particularly difficult path as estrogen has a less dramatic affect on the male body than testosterone on the female. As a result, female-to-male (FTM) transsexuals better integrate into society, where as some MTF are left on the fringe. The Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Violence 2000 annual report documented incidences of violence towards MTF transsexuals at 98 percent of the total cases, with violence against FTM transsexuals at 2 percent. The same report found anti-transgender violence accounted for 20 percent of all anti-GLBT murders. Transsexuals will go great lengths to “pass” and assimilate into society; the alternative offers intense fear of violence, discrimination and perpetual dissidence between body and identity.

The gay, lesbian and bisexual communities are no stranger to the strain sexuality has on relationships with friends and family. Transgenderism, however, is far more difficult to reconcile with loved ones, leaving many without a much-needed support network – often leading to high rates of depression and/or drug abuse, among other less obvious manifestations of isolation and pain. While this community must be commended for the great strides it has achieved, much progress by law makers and the community at large is still needed.

A ripple effect has surged through the transgender community. The risks involved in receiving silicone injections could not be clearer. As we bow our heads, let’s seize this opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the needs of the transgender community and prevent a tragedy like this from happening in the future.

Resources for the transgender community can be accessed by contacting AJ Davis at The Center at (619) 692-2077 ext. 212 and the Transgender Community Coalition at (619) 515-2411.