6/28/15

Transgender Women in Prison
Survive Rape and Torture by Men!
by Jennifer Gann

A new book being published by Norwegian author and photojournalist, Kristin Lyseggen, The Woman of San Quentin: Soul Murder of Transgender Women in Male Prisons, exposes the very personal stories of the lives and struggles of ten transgender women. I am one of the women in the book and have enjoyed working on and contributing to it with the author.

Kristin came to visit me on February 22, 2015. We enjoyed lunch together and taking pictures as she interviewed me for her book (see photo), which is due to come out this summer (see flier).

The importance of this book cannot be overstated! In California, transgender women are forced into men's prisons where they are exposed to rape and murder by the male prisoners and uncaring correctional officers of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR). The state has failed to comply with newly adopted federal regulations of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

On or about November 1, 2013, a Latina transwomen, Carmen Guerrero (#K-06560), was killed by her cellmate at Kern Valley State Prison. Prior to that, a Black queen named "Lil' Mama" was killed by her cellmate at California State Prison-Lancaster. In both cases, the housing unit officers were told of the threat and failed to intervene.

Nothing has been done by CDCR officials to prevent the continued rape and torture of transgender women in men's prisons. Hopefully, the upcoming release of this book will change that!

Free transwomen now! ♀♀

[front cover of book.]
The Women of San Quentin:
Soul Murder of Transgender Women in Male Prisons

Kristin Schreier Lyseggen

https://www.amazon.com/Women-San-Quentin-Transgender-Prisons/dp/0985624426

[colored photo of Kristin and Jennifer. Jennifer is smiling at the camera with her tattooed hand on her hip. Kristin is smiling at Jennifer with her glasses off. Caption: Me and my friend Kris at KVSP visiting, 2/21/15]