A Matter of Life and Death
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Wednesday, October 18 2006, 12:29AM
Sources close to the family of Tyron Garner, the black gay plaintiff in the famous Lawrence v. Texas case, report that Garner's body has still not been buried or cremated, more than a month after he died on September 11, 2006.
As of this week, sources report that his family still does not have the money to bury Garner. Unless the money is raised immediately, they will have no choice but to relinquish Garner's body to Harris County, Texas, to be disposed of as a pauper. Ironically, it was a police officer in Harris County who barged into a private apartment and arrested Garner for having consensual sex with a male partner. And it was the state of Texas that spent an enormous amount of time and money in pursuing the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Thus, the state that sought to control his body while he was living may end up controlling it in his death.
Family Fund Was Set Up
Lambda Legal Defense Fund had previously announced a fund to be set up for Garner's family to cover the cost of the funeral and burial, but apparently the funds have still not been raised. I don't know the circumstances behind the fund, but Lambda is the second largest LGBT organization in the country and boasts an annual budget of $10.5 million.
This is now an urgent matter that requires immediate attention. I was unable to reach anyone from Lambda last night, but I did contact officials at the National Black Justice Coalition (of which I am a board member) to let them know about the situation and to see if NBJC could help to raise the money for Garner's burial.
Tyron Garner was a hero to the LGBT community. Without him, we would not be able to begin the conversation around marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples. So there's no reason why he shouldn't be buried with dignity and respect. His case, Lawrence v. Texas, was the most important U.S. Supreme Court case for the gay and lesbian community.
Garner and his partner were arrested in their own apartment in Houston, Texas while engaged in consensual sexual activity. The two men were tried and convicted of "deviate sexual intercourse." After a five-year court battle, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed their convictions in 2003. In a landmark decision, the Court struck down all state laws that prohibited homosexual intercourse, thus wiping away the conservative argument that gays could were not entitled to equal treatment under the law because homosexual sex was a crime.
Since that time, the Lawrence decision has helped to lay the groundwork for marriage equality, civil unions laws, and a challenge to the military "don't ask, don't tell" policy against openly gay service members. No other hero of our community would be allowed to lie in limbo a full month after he died. That's a shame and a disgrace, and it's time to rectify that mistake today.
The decision to turn over the body may happen any day now, so time is of the essence. I intend to follow up on this story during the day, and I hope that money will be raised immediately to bury Tyron Garner.
For Our Own Protection
It has not been a good week for black gay men. Only days ago we lost Michael Sandy, a black gay man, to a vicious hate crime. And now we hear about Tyron Garner. It's clear to me that we can't wait for anyone else to save us, so we have to save ourselves. Black gay poet Essex Hemphill explained in one of his famous poems.
For My Own Protection
I want to start
an organization
to save my life.
If Whales, snails,
dogs, cats,
Chrysler, and Nixon
can be saved,
the lives of Black men
are priceless
and can be saved.
We should be able
to save each other...
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UPDATE: As of 11 a.m. this morning, I have left messages with the Houston lawyer, Mitchell Katine, who represented Garner in Lawrence in the Lawrence v. Texas case. I have also received information about where to contribute. I will let you know as soon as I find out more.
The Tyrone Garner Funeral Fund
Preferred Bank
11757 Katy Freeway
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 556-6443
Tyrone Garner Funeral Fund web site
Mitchell Katine
Williams, Birnberg & Andersen
2000 Bering
Suite 909
Houston, TX 77057-3746
(713) 981-9595
Mitchell Katine web site
Note: In the Supreme Court case, Garner is identified as "Tyron Garner." However, in news accounts, he is identified as "Tyrone Garner with an "e" at the end of his name.
Comments conceal
Pandora
October 18 2006, 5:39AM
Keith, this news item has brought me to tears.
This week has been too much. Too much loss.
Our fine black men being treated this way.
Tyrone Garner must not be remembered like this.
He deserves so much more than a pauper's burial!
What can we do to help this man get a decent burial?
Peace
Pandora
UNITE IN THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
Steve
October 18 2006, 7:04AM
It's really sad. It should be easier to be a pioneer. Those who lead the way are so often the most badly treated. Let us know what we can do, Keith.
John
October 18 2006, 8:16AM
Where can we send donations?
Blue
October 18 2006, 9:54AM
Oh my God. I just assumed this man had been laid to rest already. If there is a site set up where you can donate please let us know. And you are right - it's time for us to see that all we have is each other, so we have to have each other's backs.
jazzi
October 18 2006, 10:42AM
I mean really! Just how much does it cost to bury a man? Things are expensive but come on. A whole lot of us spend more on a shopping spree or vacation! You mean to tell me that not one of the gay rights organizations is able to simply write a check so that this mans family can give him a proper burial? Don't "set up a site" for donations. Handle it. Thats why we support these groups in the first place. It's not just about holding press conferences & law suits & shit. What about the little things? Grant it, paying for a mans finals expenses won't make headlines but so what? It's not just about front covers & news cameras. We make donations to these groups all year long. we expect YOU to step up in moments like this. Put the check where all the useless rhetoric is & bury the man!
andre allen
October 18 2006, 11:15AM
what a sad day in america. Once again thanks for stayin on top of lgbt news
malik
October 18 2006, 11:18AM
please post an email announcement when you find out where to send the donations. this is obscene...
James
October 18 2006, 11:53AM
This is really sad. I'd like to know where to send donations. It hurts to find this out about someone so critical to the freedoms that we have today.
Antroine
October 18 2006, 12:33PM
Very sad! Keith when you have the information where money should go please let us know and we will be glad to donate and notify our readers as well. Wish we knew earlier.
MPetrelis
October 18 2006, 1:54PM
information on where lambda puts its donation dollars from tray.com:
1 . Adams, Michael
7/26/2004 $200.00
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Lambda Legal/Director Of Education [Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
[View Image]
2 . Cathcart, Kevin
8/6/2004 $1,000.00
New York, NY 10005
Lambda Legal/Executive Director [Contribution]
KERRY VICTORY 2004
[View Image]
3 . Gasparini, Mark A
6/28/2004 $500.00
New York, NY 10011
Lambda Legal/CFO [Contribution]
JIM STORK FOR CONGRESS
[View Image]
4 . Goldstein, Frances
9/25/2003 $500.00
New York, NY 10011
Lambda Legal Defense Fund/Executive [Contribution]
EDWARDS FOR PRESIDENT
[View Image]
5 . Goldstein, Frances
8/28/2003 $500.00
New York, NY 10011
Lambda Legal Defence/Deputy Directo [Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
[View Image]
6 . Hill, Rick
10/18/2004 $500.00
New York, NY 10011
Lambda Legal/Dirtector of Events [Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
[View Image]
7 . Logue, Patricia
Harry Frazier
October 18 2006, 2:22PM
I agree with "Jazzi"...what the hell? GLAD and all these organiaztions have extravagant affairs and they pull together 5 or 6 thousnad dollars?? Where is Elton John? Cher? Elizabeth Taylor? LOGO channel? They have millions and spendthat much on lunch. Not to bash them...this probably has more to do with media coverage then rich folks being willing to cough up the money. But if the press for whatever reason is not covering whats happening they may not know. THANKS KEITH FOR BRINGING IT TO THE FOREFRONT!!
Cadence
October 18 2006, 2:30PM
I don't think we can put the blame on these national organizations, even though any of them could have paid the bill. I remember when Keith first ran this story, and he mentioned that there was no money to pay the burial expenses, I assumed one of the national organizations would have taken care of it, but the correct thing to do would have been to do a little research and see if there was a way that I could donate money. We have to stop being invisible and waiting around for others to acknowledge or help us. We are Black SGL/LGBT people, and we are a part of the gay community, so we need to start taking a more active role in protecting ourselves and building a solid community.
johnozed
October 18 2006, 3:58PM
please let me know how and where I can contribute. this is a travesty, but then again if we can't take care of each other while living, what hope is there when we are dead?
T. Zac
October 18 2006, 5:57PM
Was Lawerence his boyfriend/partner or just sex date the night the police entered their home? Where were his friends?