Black Trans Lives Matter
This week, two Trans women, Riah Milton and Dominique “Rem’Mie” Fells, were murdered. They leave behind friends and families who loved them.
We live in a system that values proximity to whiteness over blackness. We live in a system that values cis-gendered bodies over trans lives. It’s a system that instills these “values” in every person, regardless of their position on the spectrum of privilege. Even within our queer communities you can see the more limited privileges of an oppressed minority used to further devalue others within their shared space.
Across the board, racism, sexism, and transphobia create a dangerous landscape for both people of color and trans people. Living at the cross-section, Black Trans people must navigate these harsh waters of discrimination—they must work harder for representation, must work harder for employment, for medical resources, for housing and they must work harder for their general well-being. For the Black Trans person, truly safe space is hard to come by, and we can see the impacts.
It is clear that violence disproportionately effects Black Trans women—the news is not new. The deaths of Riah Milton and Dominique Fells are two more in an ongoing list of murdered Black people, and while we collectively rise to protect our Black community members, that must also include Black Trans lives.
Let us speak up when we face racist and transphobic behavior, yes, but more importantly, let us exercise our privilege to protect those of us who are Black and Trans, and help create safe spaces for them to not only survive, but thrive. Volunteer, donate, read, learn, and listen. There are Black Trans voices telling us what they need—we need to do the work.
If you are a Black Trans individual or organization in need of design, illustration, motion graphics or art direction support, please contact me.
I would love to help.
Other ways we can help:
I have compiled a list of organizations that support the Black Trans members of our community, as well as resources for learning about the Black Trans experience. If you are an ally (or would like to be) please look through, read and donate. If you have another org or resource (more resources are needed!) to add to the list, please feel free to reach out. Thank you!
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition
A Black Trans-led organization that works to end discrimination and inequities faced in health, employment, housing and education to improve the lived experience of transgender people
BTTF provides Black transgender women with the financial resources needed to be able to self-determine and access safer alternatives to travel, where women feel less likely to experience verbal harassment or physical harm.
BTTF is an intersectional, multi-generational project of community building, research, and political action addressing the crisis of violence against Black Trans people.
The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. Through mobilization, education and capacity-building, they work for community wellness and progressive social and economic justice.
Founded by three black trans women in 2017, The Transgender District aims to stabilize and economically empower the transgender community through ownership of homes, businesses, historic and cultural sites, and safe community spaces.
Transgender Law Center: Black Trans Circles
BTC develops the leadership of Black trans women in the South and Midwest through the creation of healing justice spaces to work through oppression-based trauma, and incubate community organizing efforts to address anti-trans murder and violence.
The Marsha P Johnson Institute
MPJI protects and defends the human rights of BLACK transgender people, by organizing, advocating, creating an intentional community to heal, developing transformative leadership, and promoting their collective power.
The LA LGBT Center provides essential medical and mental health services for transgender and gender non-conforming people.
Education and Resources:
Black Lives Matter: Fighting Racism
When it comes to systemic, anti-Black racism, there are also many resources available, and many, many informed voices to take in. If you are wondering where to start, here is an extensive Resource Doc that covers many aspects of fighting racism, from books and Black-owned businesses to support, to protest safety and more. I would love to credit the person who created and shared this document. Unfortunately I cannot find their name, but a huge thank you goes out to you, wherever you are.