Immigration News Today: Undocumented Transgendered Immigrant Explains Why She Heckled President Obama at LGBT Reception
An immigrant transgendered woman heckled President Barack Obama while honoring LGBT Pride Month in the White House on Wednesday. She explained her reasons to interrupt Obama in a post on Thursday.
Shortly after 5 p.m., Obama addressed the LGBT Pride Month Reception attendees, but was quickly interrupted by Jennicet Gutiérrez.
Gutiérrez's voice was heard stating, "President Obama," but he spoke back criticizing the interrupting. Based on the White House transcript, Obama responded, "Okay, you know what -- no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no. Listen, you're in my house. You don't -- come on. It's not -- you know what, it's not respectful when you get invited to somebody -- you're not going to -- you're not going to get a good response from me by interrupting me like this."
While the heckling continued, Obama added, "Shame on you. You shouldn't be doing this."
Attendees started to boo Gutiérrez and chant Obama's name.
"Can we escort this person out? Come on. You can either stay and be quiet, or we'll have to take you out," continued Obama. "All right, can we have this person removed, please?"
Gutiérrez can be heard, stating, "No more deportations," but she was escorted away from the room.
"Last night I spoke out to demand respect and acknowledgement of our gender expression and the release of the estimated 75 transgender immigrants in detention right now," wrote Gutiérrez for the Washington Blade. "There is no pride in how LGBTQ immigrants are treated in this country and there can be no celebration with an administration that has the ability to keep us detained and in danger or release us to freedom."
Gutiérrez said she was invited to the White House, but while progress has been made for the LGBT community, the discrimination still exists for the immigrant LGBTQ community.
"Immigrant trans women are 12 times more likely to face discrimination because of our gender identity... Transgender immigrants make up one out of every 500 people in detention, but we account for one out of five confirmed sexual abuse cases in ICE custody," added Gutiérrez.
Gutiérrez said the undocumented transgendered immigrants encounter violence while in U.S. detention centers -- by fellow detainees and by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
According to Gutiérrez, leader of Familia TQLM, she spoke to demand respect and acknowledgment of the targeted transgendered immigrants. She said the reception while in the White House was "heartbreaking."
"I stood for what is right. Instead of silencing our voices, President Obama can also stand and do the right thing for our immigrant LGBTQ community," concluded Gutiérrez.
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