February 28, 2006
70-YEAR OLD TRANSGENDER WOMAN ILLEGALLY ARRESTED FOR USING WOMEN'S BATHROOM AT GRAND CENTRAL
Contact: Irene Tung: 718.755.6750 (cell), 718.418.7690, x23; Michael Silverman, TLDEF: 917.292.1495 (cell)
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, Inc.
40 East 9th Street Suite 4C New York, New York 10003-6422
For Immediate Release
Community Blasts MTA Police for Harassment of Transgender Individuals
Holding Signs and Chanting, Dozens of Community Members Join Victim to Call for Compliance with Law, an Apology, Sensitivity Training and Policy Change
Victim repeatedly subjected to physical intimidation and verbal harassment since August
Called a "freak," a "weirdo" and the "ugliest woman in the world" by MTA police officer
WHAT:
Members of the MTA police force have repeatedly harassed a 70-year old transgender employee of Verizon because of her gender identity. While traveling to and from her office in Grand Central Terminal, she has been verbally and physically harassed by the MTA police for the past several months. They have jailed her three times. A few weeks ago she was arrested for using the women's bathroom and charged with disorderly conduct.
The New York City Human Rights law prohibits discrimination against transgender people. It protects the right of transgender people to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity and expression.
WHO:
Helena Stone (legal name Henry McGuinness), a 70-year old transgender woman, victim of MTA police harassment
Transgender and LGBT members of GLOBE (a project of Make the Road by Walking)
Michael Silverman, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund
Local Elected Officials
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 28th, 11 am
WHERE:
In front of Grand Central Terminal, north side of 42nd Street between Vanderbilt Ave. and the Grand Hyatt Hotel
****PHOTO OPPORTUNITY****
More on: Expanding Civil Rights 
