YOUNGSTOWN - Members of a group advocating for the Valley’s LGBTQIA+ community took issue with a story from a Warren Police report posted yesterday on wfmj.com involving the characterization of a transgender woman. Full Spectrum Community Outreach contacted 21 News to express its concern that the story misgendered 27-year-old Parker Jimenez who was arrested on an outstanding drug warrant on April 23.

In the report, Warren Police characterized Parker Jimenez, listed in the report as Seth Parker Jimenez, as “a man dressed as a woman hiding under a bed.” The information in the police narrative was then reported on wfmj.com and the 21 News app. Tim Bortner, President of Full Spectrum Community Outreach sent a letter to 21 News Director Mona Alexander which said in part “The outing of a transgendered individual thrusts them directly into a public spotlight and may be detrimental to their mental health and physical well-being.”

Bortner added the resource center felt it was “our duty to reach out on behalf of the community to address the harm caused by misgendering and, and in turn “outing” a vulnerable person.

21 News Director Mona Alexander said, “We appreciate Mr. Bortner reaching out to us in a positive and professional manner and we respect the LGBTQIA+ community using its voice to create a dialogue on such important matters.” Alexander went on to say that we would welcome continuing dialogue with the group."

Full Spectrum Community Outreach describes itself as a “full-spectrum community outreach center” designed to “build an inclusive Mahoning Valley where LGBTQIA+ thrive as healthy, equal and complete members of society.” You can read more about the organization here:
https://www.fullspectrumcommunityoutreach.org/about

Read the letter in its entirety below.