Barack Obama's Heckler Speaks Out: I Interrupted Because It's Time That Our Struggles Are Heard

Jennicet Gutiérrez said she spoke out ''to demand respect and acknowledgement of our gender expression and the release of the estimated 75 transgender immigrants in detention right now''

By Bruna Nessif Jun 25, 2015 11:29 PMTags
Barack Obama, LGBT, InterruptedSAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Jennicet Gutiérrez is not one to keep her voice silent on matters that are close to her heart.

The undocumented transgender Latina woman and member of the Not One More campaign exemplified that trait when she became famous for heckling President Barack Obama yesterday during a reception celebrating LGBT Pride Month at the White House, which caused her to be escorted off the premises.

Now, Gutiérrez has spoken out yet again (but she's not being disruptive this time around) in a piece written for The Washington Blade, where she explains why she felt the need to interrupt POTUS during his speech.

"I was fortunate to be invited to the White House to listen to President Obama's speech recognizing the LGBTQ community and the progress being made," she wrote, "But while he spoke of ‘trans women of color being targeted,' his administration holds LGBTQ and trans immigrants in detention. I spoke out because our issues and struggles can no longer be ignored."

She continued, "The violence my trans sisters face in detention centers is one of torture and abuse. The torture and abuse come from ICE officials and other detainees in these detention centers. I have spoken with my trans immigrant sisters who were recently released from detention centers.

"With a lot of emotional pain and heavy tears in their eyes, they opened up about the horrendous treatment they all experienced. Often seeking asylum to escape threats of violence because of their gender identity and sexuality, this is how they're greeted in this country. At times misgendered, exposed to assault, and put in detention centers with men."

Gutiérrez said she spoke out last night "to demand respect and acknowledgement of our gender expression and the release of the estimated 75 transgender immigrants in detention right now."

"It is heartbreaking to see how raising these issues were received by the president and by those in attendance," she adds. "In the tradition of how Pride started, I interrupted his speech because it is time for our issues and struggles to be heard. I stood for what is right. Instead of silencing our voices, President Obama can also stand and do the right thing for our immigrant LGBTQ community."