Community leaders urge Mayor to settle Hunter case
1217 D Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002
May 26, 1999
The Honorable Anthony Williams
Mayor District of Columbia
1 Judiciary Square
441 4th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Mayor Williams:
On behalf of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community, we want to express our disappointment and anger at your recent decision to support the Corporation Counsel's appeal of the verdict in the Tyra Hunter case.
During your campaign for mayor, we were impressed by your clear grasp of the issues and sentiments of our community. This was proven further by your inclusion in your transition and administration of gays and lesbians. However, this recent decision erodes the trust and confidence that we have placed in you.
A jury has returned a verdict ordering the city to pay $2.9 million in damages in the Tyra Hunter matter. Based on their assessment of the facts, they determined that the city was liable for her mistreatment and subsequent death. Mayor Williams, we are counting on you to support this decision made by District of Columbia residents. To do anything less, especially by the mayor would serve to undermine confidence in and support of the jury system.
Our community expects from its elected officials leadership on issues that affect our lives. For many years we have enjoyed the protections of the city's Human Rights Act. Under no circumstances will we accept the flawed interpretation by the Corporation Counsel about the applicability of the Human Rights Act in the Tyra Hunter case. You deserve better and more balanced information about the act and how it applies to this case. We call on you to meet with members of our community so that we can provide you with more accurate information.
As mayor you have the power to immediately put a halt to this matter. Once again, we call on you to enter into good-faith discussions with Margie Hunter's attorneys and reach a settlement.
Mayor Williams, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community is looking to you for leadership on this issue. We hope that you will not disappoint us.
Sincerely,
Everett E. Hamilton, Jr.
President, The D.C. Coalition
Craig Howell
President, Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance
Lisa Stewart
Chair, Gay Men and Lesbians Opposing Violence
Paul G. Dionne
President, Capital Area Log Cabin
Earline Budd
Transgenders Against Discrimination and Defamation
Wanda Alston
Former Co-Chair, The D.C. Coalition
Barrett Brick
Darren S. Buckner
Former Co-Chair, The D.C. Coalition
Earl Fowlkes
Bradley Lewis
Former Co-Chair, The D.C. Coalition
Philip Pannell
Former D.C. Human Rights Commissioner
Richard J. Rosendall
Former President, Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance
Michael Sainte-Andress
Carl E. Schmid II
Bob Summersgill
Vice President, Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance
Jessica Xavier
Transgender Nation
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Gays and Lesbians Against Defamation and Discrimination
