There is no question. There is no debate. There is no wondering. Black Lives Matter encompasses all black lives, all walks of life, all black people no matter how they identify or who they love. There is a sentiment going around that you can somehow support Black Lives Matter but select which types of black lives deserve preservation, uplifting, and care. I just want to simply say, that is not true.
Specifically, our black trans sisters, brothers, and gender non-conforming family are being taken from us at an alarming rate, and are continuously being marginalized and/or ostracized just for existing. Our country must be held accountable for the way transphobia has been normalized and perpetuated. The severe lack of coverage given to a trans person’s death, the careless misgendering, the scant amount of investigative resources. This mistreatment is intolerable and cannot continue. Say their names:
Tony McDade
Nina Pop
Monika Diamond
I want to tell you, my black trans sisters and brothers and non-binary fam, with my whole heart, you are loved, you matter, and I promise to do everything I can to fight for you and with you because you are worth it and your life matters and you are needed. Your existence is needed. Your thoughts are needed. Your ideas are needed. Your voice is needed.
This movement doesn’t have room for bigotry. We are all literally fighting for our lives and there’s no way we can get anywhere by leaving anyone behind. Our power is in numbers, and those numbers include an array of varying perspectives, a vast amount of knowledge, a vibrant collage of ideas and dreams and we need it all to get to where we’re going.
I am always willing to be a better ally and will continue putting in the work to make sure I’m giving space when needed, I’m shutting up when needed, I’m supporting when needed, and always uplifting. This has been an incredibly draining moment, but being at a protest at Stonewall the other day hearing from trans men and women, where protestors seemed to understand the importance of intersectionality, learning from each other, and walking side by side towards progress was inspiring.
My cis sisters are also not getting as much attention for their rightful justice and we need to say their names and remember we’re fighting for them, too:
Breonna Taylor
Sandra Bland
Tanisha Anderson
Aiyana Stanley-Jones
This. Cannot. Go. On. All of these people should STILL be here today. They are not, because we’re living in a corrupt society that values the falsehood police are above the law and are allowed their prejudices as they police our neighborhoods and kill us without regard. They’re not here because society is unable to embrace humanity instead of labels and are unwilling to cast out these backward systems of thought.
No. More.
I gathered some resources and places I’ll be donating to and learning from below:
The Okra Project
TGI Justice Project
Transgender Law Center
TWOCC
Marsha P. Johnson Institute
AAPF - SayHerName Campaign
I hope this month of pride we’re able to make Marsha proud.