According to witnesses, EMS technicians were immeditely called, quickly arrived and began ministering to her. Her injuries were already extremely severe and it was obvious she was very badly hurt. But, in the middle of treating her, one of the technicians cut open her pants and discovered that Tyra had male genitals.
Witnesses said he began laughing, called the prostrate, bleeding woman a "bitch," and refused to render further medical assistance although she was obviously in critical condition.
Apparently unmoved by bystanders calls that "It donít make any difference, heís [sic] a person, heís a human being," the EMS technician allowed Tyra to lay on the pavement untreated for the next 3-5 minutes. Finally someone who appeared to be an EMS supervisor came over and began treating Tyra. She died at a local hospital shortly thereafter. Over 2,000 people attended her funeral on August 12.
Gay Men and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) have demanded an inquiry. Meanwhile the Fire Deparment has demanded its own right to conduct an internal inquiry, which apparently beagn with them refusing all comment and calling all involved personnel into a closed meeting to "coach" them on what to say.
For information on contributing to Tyraís funeral expenses, call the GLOV hotline at (202)452-7448. For information on the progress of the case, call Ms. Tracy Conaty of GLOV at her NGLTF number, (202)628-4160 ex.3303.
If there is a trial, Transexual Menace is considering a Memorial Vigil, as we did for the opening day of the murder trial of Brandon Teena. Where ever a transperson is felled by transphobia, we must continue to say: This is will not be tolerated and, we will *not* remain silent targets for violence. If you would be intersted in participating, just contact IYF. (We may be able to schedule such a Vigil it to coincide with Natl Gender Lobby Day in DC on October 2-3.)