Behind Bars

Are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inmates safe in prison? What unique barriers to safety do they face?

The Senate Committee on Public Safety seeks to answer those questions in an informational hearing on Dec. 11 to look at issues facing queer people in California’s prison system.

Yes, the hearing is specific to California but the information should shed light on the experiences of incarcerated gays throughout the country.

Chaired by Sen. Gloria Romero, D-East Los Angeles, the hearing will focus on the queer population in prison and the unique issues queer inmates face while incarcerated. Speakers will discuss issues related to prisoner classification systems, harassment and abuse, unequal access to healthcare, and
difficulties faced when re-entering into society.

Representatives from Equality California, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Just Detention International, the Transgender, Gender Variant & Intersex Justice Project and the Transgender Law Center will attend.

The hearing is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at Hiram Johnson State Building,
455 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco.

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