Monday, February 8, 2010 | Richmond, VA’s Webmagazine for GLBTQ

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Remembering Rita Hester

The Rainbow MinuteIn late November of 1998, Boston transwoman Rita Hester, who had lived openly as a woman for 10 years and had Sexual Reassignment Surgery to make it official, was brutally murdered in her home. Police estimate that she was stabbed numerous times.

When the press began to report the story, Hester was constantly referred to as “he” and “male.” One paper even reported that she was a “transvestite leading a double life.” Her murder was the catalyst for the transgender community to band together and demand respect from the media.

After pressure from family and community leaders, Hester’s case was re-opened in 2006, but there has been no break in the case and it remains unsolved to this day.

In recognition of the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, “The Rainbow Minute” is committed to bringing to light the often under-represented history of the transgender community by featuring 10 new episodes during the month of November.  “The Rainbow Minute,” a radio show on WRIR, Richmond Independent Radio, is produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and airs on 97.3 FM every Weekday at 9:03am, 12:30pm and 4:30pm.  Listen to the WRIR’s audio stream here.

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