Police Ask For Public’s Assistance As They Continue To Search For Killer Of Transgender Woman Now Linked To The Attack Of Another Transgender Hours Earlier, St. Paul Minnesota Man Sentenced To 27 Years For Rape Of Transgender Man, Harvard Announces Changes To Health Plan For Students And Staff That Will Cover Bottom Gender Reassignment Surgery, Kelly Osbourne Apologizes For Transphobic Comments

An update on a previous post, authorities in Los Angeles continue to search for a man they believe responsible for shooting to death a transgender woman in Hollywood and shooting at another transgender woman in West Hollywood on Thursday night. The Los Angeles Times reports that the suspect is described as black, medium-complexion, 5-feet-9, 150 pounds with matted hair, light facial hair, skin tags around his eyes and wearing a knit cap. He is possibly a transient and may have been on a bicycle. Los Angeles police believe he shot and killed Nathan Henry Vickers, 32, on Lexington Avenue, near Gower Street, an area long known for street prostitution. Vickers, known by the street name “Cassidy,” was standing in the street when he was shot shortly before 10:00 pm. About a half-hour later, another transgender woman was shot at during an attempted robbery at Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., in West Hollywood. No one was hurt in that incident. Investigators believe the same man was responsible for both shootings. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Hollywood homicide detectives at (213) 972-2910, (213) 972-2901 or (213) 972-2912. After hours, call (213) 485-4628.

A Ramsey County, Minnesota judge sentenced a man Thursday to 27 years in the St. Paul rape and robbery of a transgender person. Demetrius Jermaine Miller, 33, of St. Paul was convicted October 10 after a jury found him guilty of first-degree aggravated robbery and first-degree criminal sexual conduct, reports The Pioneer Press. As a condition of the sentence, Judge Rosanne Nathanson ordered that Miller register as a predatory offender for the rest of his life. The May 18 attack occurred before midnight at the BP gas station at University and Hamline avenues, where Miller and a person he thought was "a dude" met and shared a cigarette, according to trial testimony. The victim, who was born female but identifies as a man, testified that he offered Miller some marijuana and that they went to the alley behind the BP to smoke it. At that point, Miller beat and robbed the 27-year-old. The victim had an iPod, a phone and some cash in his pockets. As Miller was struggling to take off the victim's shorts, to get access to the belongings, Miller saw that he was biologically female - so he raped the victim, prosecutor Shereen Askalani said at trial. Miller testified that they did have sex but that it was consensual. He said it was the victim's idea and he went along with it because he wanted to steal the items to buy cocaine. Defense attorney Richard Sarette said at trial that the victim had a motivation to cry rape. "(He) was beat up. Mr. Miller stole from (him). He was hurt, embarrassed, humiliated,” Sarette said, so he "piled it on" in retaliation. Miller claimed at the sentencing hearing that his attorneys, Sarette and Evan Tsai, were ineffective. He fired them and represented himself Thursday, Sarette said.

In a move which transgender rights activist have called a step toward greater equality, the Harvard University Health Group Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care have modified their coverage plans to include lower gender reassignment surgery, according to University spokesperson Nanci Martin. The Crimson reports that the change will take effect on January 1, 2012 for faculty and staff and on August 1 for students. Trans Task Force co-chair Jia Hui Lee ’12 sent an e-mail announcing this change over the TTF, Harvard College Queer Students and Allies, and Radcliffe Union of Students listservs on Thursday. Lower surgery, also known as bottom surgery, alters an individual’s genitals to match his or her transitioning gender identity. “I know Harvard students who have made the decision to take steps to have surgeries to reassign their gender,” said QSA Co-Chair Samuel J. Bakkila ’11-’12. “I know it’s always a difficult decision for anyone to make, and I think that it’s great that the University is now supporting steps to have [individuals’] outward gender reflect their inward gender.” Last year, Harvard modified its health care plan to include coverage of top surgery, which includes breast construction and mastectomies, for “individuals struggling with serious gender identity issues,” according to a statement issued by University Health Services. This change took effect on August 1, 2010. In 2010, the University decided not to include lower surgery in its health plan, though Blue Cross Blue Shield had outlined Harvard’s new health policy to include the operation. At the time, the University cited a lack of local qualified health care providers for individuals transitioning from one gender to another. Harvard reviewed at its policy regarding gender reassignment surgery earlier this year and concluded that lower surgery is a safe procedure for both males and females, according to a UHS statement. The health care policy was “further modified” following that review, the statement said. When considering this alteration of policy, Harvard examined the coverage of its “peer institutions,” which have also begun to include gender reassignment, according to the statement. This academic year, the University of Pennsylvania began covering gender reassignment procedures, including hormone treatments and sex reassignment surgeries. Harvard’s decision has received much praise from members of the Harvard BGLTQ community. Bakkila said that he thought the policy change might help Harvard attract “a more vibrant student body” because it demonstrates administrative support for students considering transitioning from male to female or vice-versa. TTF co-chair Levi M. Roth ’14 echoed Bakkila’s sentiments, calling the coverage “a great thing,” adding that, “In terms of outcome, one of the most important forms of equality is equal medical coverage and access to healthcare. The fact that there are people at Harvard who are willing to take on this project is very important.”

Kelly Osbourne, a life-long gay ally, has apologized for transphobic comments she made, including using the pejorative “tranny.” Osbourne writes that, “As a lifelong LGBT ally and friend, I feel it is my duty to not only apologize for my wrong but to also correct it. The word “tr*nny” is a derogatory and hurtful word. I was completely ignorant to this and soon came to realize most of my peers and LGBT friends are too. This is a word I will no longer use or allow. It wasn't until I googled it after speaking with GLAAD that I found out just how unbelievably offensive it was. When friends jokingly called me that in the past, I took it as a compliment or a joke, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Transgender people are some of the bravest people on Earth and among the LGBT community. I cannot imagine the courage it takes to live your life openly and honestly, reflecting who you truly are, or the hurt that comes from having to hide who you are because others may not support and accept you."