This will be my thread highlighting Trans Black people and calls for justice for them.
Despite all (yes, all) of our collective efforts to erase the lives and contributions of Trans Black people…
Despite all (yes, all) of our collective efforts to erase the lives and contributions of Trans Black people…
...they too have often been on the front lines for the struggle for Black lives.
No one understands better how interconnected systems of oppression are when it comes to Black people more than Trans Black people. And this should be stated plainly and without question.
It is especially important to say this during and AFTER Pride, as Pride celebration of the lives of LGBTQIA+ folx would not even be a thing without the bravery of Trans [Black] people like Marsha P. Johnson, Zazu Nova, Sylvia Rivera, and others.
Because Pride was BORN out of the Stonewall Uprising, which was a fierce protest against, you guessed it, the police and their senseless brutality against Black and LGBTQIA+ people. So yes, you look goofy (and anti-Black) inviting cops to Pride.
You cannot say that you support #BlackLivesMatter without supporting Trans Black people. And this will be a thread to say their names. #BlackTransLivesMatter
It is also super important to say their names with our chest because of the practices of both deadnaming and misgendering (I will link to both). These are things done by transphobes in general. And people who don’t respect others’ autonomy. #BlackTransLivesMatter
But journalists and reporters (along with current or ex-family members) who claim to be “truthful” and “objective” do this in ways that are extremely invasive AND violent -- especially when it’s done in the aftermath of someone’s death #BlackTransLivesMatter
Remember these names:
Tony McDade
Tony McDade was a former pro boxer at the Quincy Fighting Tigers gym. And not only should he still be here, but he does not deserve to be misgendered after his life was stolen. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Tony McDade was a former pro boxer at the Quincy Fighting Tigers gym. And not only should he still be here, but he does not deserve to be misgendered after his life was stolen. #BlackTransLivesMatter
The TPD has not released the name of the officer involved and that shouldn’t be allowed to stand. Please sign this petition to make sure justice is served. #BlackTransLivesMatter
change.org/p/justice-for-…
change.org/p/justice-for-…
.@TheOkraProject has started “The Tony McDade Mental Health Recovery Fund” for him: gr.pn/tony
#BlackTransLivesMatter
#BlackTransLivesMatter
Nina Pop
Nina was well-known in the town she lived in, Sikeston, Missouri. A town of around 16,000. She worked at a local fast food restaurant & her friends remember her as someone everybody loved. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Nina was well-known in the town she lived in, Sikeston, Missouri. A town of around 16,000. She worked at a local fast food restaurant & her friends remember her as someone everybody loved. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
.@TheOkraProject has started “The Nina Pop Mental Health Recovery Fund” for Nina as well: gr.pn/ninapop
#BlackTransLivesMatter
#BlackTransLivesMatter
Dana Martin
Dana was described by friends as likeable and easy to get along with. She loved listening to Aaliyah and two of her favorite movies were ‘Friday’ and ‘The Player’s Club’. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Dana was described by friends as likeable and easy to get along with. She loved listening to Aaliyah and two of her favorite movies were ‘Friday’ and ‘The Player’s Club’. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Bee Love Slater
Bee was described as a prankster & a joker. Though she resided in an extremely conservative part of South Florida, she openly documented her gender transition on social media. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Bee was described as a prankster & a joker. Though she resided in an extremely conservative part of South Florida, she openly documented her gender transition on social media. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Bailey Reeves
Bailey was a 17-yr-old high school senior. She was bubbly and someone “who lived her life to the fullest”, per her brother, Thomas Reeves. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Bailey was a 17-yr-old high school senior. She was bubbly and someone “who lived her life to the fullest”, per her brother, Thomas Reeves. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Monika Diamond
Monika was a chosen mother and business owner. Her life’s work included creating safe and community spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to come together and fellowship. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Monika was a chosen mother and business owner. Her life’s work included creating safe and community spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to come together and fellowship. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Michelle "Tamika" Washington
Tamika was well-loved and a persistent advocate for Philadelphia's transgender community, as well as a respected mentor of younger trans and/or gender nonconfirming people. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Tamika was well-loved and a persistent advocate for Philadelphia's transgender community, as well as a respected mentor of younger trans and/or gender nonconfirming people. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Jazzaline Ware
Jazzaline loved to spend hours listening to If by Destiny’s Child & I Gotta Find Peace of Mind by Lauryn Hill. She also held a great love for God, even if the church had other things to say about that. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Jazzaline loved to spend hours listening to If by Destiny’s Child & I Gotta Find Peace of Mind by Lauryn Hill. She also held a great love for God, even if the church had other things to say about that. #BlackTransLivesMatter
And she should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Merci Mack
Merci was a mean baker and she especially loved baking cookies. Upbeat and hilarious, she also loved to wind down whenever and wherever a jacuzzi was present. #BlackTransLivesMatter
Merci was a mean baker and she especially loved baking cookies. Upbeat and hilarious, she also loved to wind down whenever and wherever a jacuzzi was present. #BlackTransLivesMatter
She also recently expressed that she was excited to return to her job at a local restaurant after it was closed due to COVID-19. She should still be here. #BlackTransLivesMatter
There are countless other names. Too many to be honest. Which made this a tough thread to write. There was the callousness woven into these “news reports”. The purposeful misgendering of these Black people…
...in order to take their agency away in death. The bare minimum stories on their lives. And the disgusting lack of leads in their wrongful murders. #BlackTransLivesMatter
And since none of us can claim love all Black people if we willfully refuse to love and support Black Trans people, here are some links to visit and donate to:
theokraproject.com
emergencyreleasefund.com
blackvisionsmn.org
lgbtqfund.org
#BlackTransLivesMatter
theokraproject.com
emergencyreleasefund.com
blackvisionsmn.org
lgbtqfund.org
#BlackTransLivesMatter
So that’s all I have today and I’m off to cause mayhem elsewhere. But I will be back tomorrow to discuss memes, Breonna Taylor, and more.
Once again, #BlackTransLivesMatter and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Once again, #BlackTransLivesMatter and I’ll see you tomorrow!
And of course, for those of you who need to raise transition funds or survival funds, please post your links below so we can boost them. 💙
