Two Spirits:  A Film and Discussion About Gender Diversity in Native American Cultures and the Tragic Murder of a Navajo Boy Who Was Also a Girl

The Office of Tribal Justice, the DOJ Indian Trial Lawyers Association, DOJ Pride, the Community Relations Service, and the JMD Equal Employment Opportunity Staff will co-sponsor a screening of the film “Two Spirits,” followed by a conversation with Cathy Renna, former Media Director for Gays and Lesbians Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 29, 2012, in the DOJ Conference Center.

“Two Spirits” interweaves the tragic story of a mother’s loss of her son with a revealing look at a time when the world was not simply divided into male and female, and many Native American cultures held places of honor for people of integrated genders.  Fred Martinez was nádleehí, a male-bodied person with a feminine nature, a special gift according to his ancient Navajo culture.  But the place where two discriminations meet is a dangerous place to live, and Mr. Martinez became one of the youngest hate-crime victims in modern history when he was brutally murdered at sixteen. Ms. Renna, who is featured in the film, was invited by local activists to help deal with the aftermath of Mr. Martinez’s death on a small town in the Four Corners region of Colorado.  We hope you can join!

Join DOJ Pride, DOJ Pan Asia, and JMD Equal Opportunity Staff in presenting a conversation with Gautam Raghavan, an Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement at The White House, from 12:00 noon  – 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2012, in the DOJ Conference Center (Room 7411, RFK Main Justice Building). 

As an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement, Mr. Raghavan functions as the White House’s liaison to the LGBT community.  Prior to being appointed to his current post, Mr. Raghavan was Deputy White House Liaison for the Department of Defense (DOD), where he served as Outreach Lead for DOD’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Working Group.  Immediately before that, Mr. Raghavan worked as Midwest Finance Director for the Democratic National Committee and as Director of the Obama Campaign’s National Asian American Finance Committee. 

During this brown bag, Mr. Raghavan will engage participants in an informal conversation about his personal and professional experiences as a member of the LGBT and Asian-American communities.  All employees are welcome.  Hope you can join!

Join DOJ Pride in a screening of the Clint Eastwood biographical film, “J. Edgar” on Wednesday, November 16th.  Location and details forthcoming. 

A summary from Wikipedia notes that, “J. Edgar is a 2011 biographical drama film directed by Clint Eastwoodfrom a script by Dustin Lance Black. The film focus on the career of FBI director J. Edgar Hooverfrom the Palmer Raids onwards, including an examination of his private life as an alleged closeted homosexual.”

We hope you can join us!

As our Nation begins to commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, DOJ employees are invited to join the Attorney General on Friday, September 9, 2011 in remembering those who lost their lives in the devastating 9/11 attacks and in reaffirming the resilience of our great Nation and its people.

The Department will pay tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11 and remember the remarkable way that so many rose up in unity and service following the attacks. Since that tragic day ten years ago, the Department has played a critical role in defeating terrorists, combating other threats to national security, and keeping the American people safe. As a result of these efforts, our country is stronger and more secure, our enemy is severely weakened, and our resolve to bring terrorists to justice – and to live out the values that have always defined the United States – remains undimmed.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Silent Vigil

 9:00 – 9:15 a.m., RFK Courtyard (Rain Location: The Great Hall)

 Commemorative Event

 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., RFK – The Great Hall

 All Department of Justice employees are invited to participate in both events. Indeed, we encourage all DOJ components and U.S. Attorney’s Offices to participate in a moment of silence during the morning vigil. The afternoon event will also be broadcast live on JTN, so that all U.S. Attorney’s Offices and DOJ employees may participate from any location.