Duanna Johnson's Funeral--DONATIONS NEEDED

Hi! I called NJ Ford, but they weren't sure how they would accept donations. Do you have any clarification on how people are supposed to contribute money?

Sorry about the lack of clarification. It's been a long day...

I called them earlier and they said that checks and money orders would have to have something indicating that it's for Duanna Johnson's funeral on the memo line. I know overnighting things is expensive, though.

If it didn't look sketchy, I'd have posted a PayPal account or something.

I'm sorry for this being the last minute, but I just talked to her mother today and that is what the funeral home said about payment. She went there today to plan the service and they were going to charge $3195, but then dropped it back to $1195 as long as it's paid by tomorrow.

OK, I guess overnighting is the way to go, then. They said checks were out due solely to the fact that the deadline is tomorrow and sending them out of state would take too long, but if overnighting would work I guess that would be that.

Maybe we could try and organize something where someone writes a check and overnights it and gets reimbursed, just so the majority of the money could be donated instead of spent on shipping? IDK.

There's a PayPal account that's been set up by TTGPC; more info is on their website (http://ttgpac.com).

They're not a PAC by the legal definition of the term, that was an unfortunate choice of name. They don't funnel money to any politicians.

Thanks for the update!

Taking a comment from PQ.

I would definitely donate what I can afford, but do you know how to go about it? The funeral home said checks from out of state wouldn't work and that credit cards would be best, but I'm not completely sure how that would be organized.

Someone else suggested paypal. Is there any other way for people to donate?

There is now a PayPal account, courtesy of the TN Transgender Political Coalition. http://ttgpac.com

They are NOT a PAC, but rather a grassroots organization that works with the trans community in TN.

there is a discussion going on in my lj between some of the people who've called the funeral home and received weird responses.

TN Transgender Political Coalition (http://ttgpac.com/) has set up a PayPal account for the express purpose of helping out the family.

Sorry for the confusion generated by all this; as I said in my personal LJ, I did call them before I said anything online and they said that donations would be okay as long as they specify whose funeral it's for.

thanks for that; i've updated the entry and posted a new one linking to there.

Is there anyone in contact with Mrs. Skinner who could help her set up a PayPal account so that donations go directly to her? That might be both easier and safer than sending money to the funeral home itself.

We're working on finding an easier way to receive donations and getting the deadline extended so that Murray Wells (her attorney) can set up a PayPal account to receive donations.

Thank you for the update! Let me know when something is set up and I'll repost it.

PayPal account

TTPC has set up a PayPal account for the purpose of helping out her family. http://ttgpac.com/

Again, sorry for the confusion about this.

Re: PayPal account

Thank you so much for this info; I've reposted it on Feministe and AngryBrownButch, so hopefully donations will start rolling in. And no need to apologize about the confusion - it happens when things are being organized quickly and in the midst of something so tragic. Thank you for helping get the word out.

Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition

For Immediate Release: Dated November 15, 2008


A Very Special Thank You


Yesterday afternoon, the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition issued a special appeal on behalf of the family of Duanna Johnson to help them cover funeral expenses.

In only four hours, nearly two hundred people responded by opening their hearts and their wallets. You donated over $5300 to the fund. We are still counting the final figures, but not only will this cover the costs of the funeral, but all of the remaining money is being given directly to the family to use as they see fit.

We realize your donations will not ease the pain of Duanna's tragic loss to her family, but you have sent a message to the world that the lives of transgender people matter, and that we appreciate Duanna's fight for respect.

Words cannot begin to express the heartfelt gratitude of all the members of TTPC who are touched by your incredble generosity.

The link to the Duanna Johnson Funeral Fund on our website is closed now, but if you still wish to make donations, either to Duanna's family, or to assist TTPC in the work we do to provide a voice for Tennessee's transgender community, you can still do so through our regular donation page. We will honor all requests to use the money as you designate.

We pledge to continue Duanna's fight with the same dignity that she showed.

Thank you.

Rest in Peace Duanna.

Marisa Richmond
President


The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is an organization designed to educate and advocate on behalf of transgender related legislation at the Federal, State and local levels. TTPC is dedicated to raising public awareness and building alliances with other organizations concerned with equal rights legislation.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact:

Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition
P.O. Box 92335
Nashville, TN 37209
http://ttgpac.com
TTGPAC@aol.com
(615)293-6199
(615)353-1834 fax