Thread by @AlexPetrovnia

Today, I want to tell you all a story. I tell a lot of stories, but this one is much more important. This story hasn't had the end written yet. And depending on how we act, right now, we could change and save lives.
If you care about Black trans women, please read and RT. 🧵

The fight for trans liberation is often seen as a purely western phenomenon, but this view does a massive disservice to those who are fighting to exist and thrive all over the world. These people matter, and their stories matter.
I want to introduce you to Richard.

I had the incredible privilege of speaking to Richard personally, and I was absolutely blown away by her courage, her resilience, and her tenacious optimism. She inspires me and humbles me.
She is a trans woman living in rural Uganda and she is a defender of human rights.

In 2018, she founded the Pride for Youth Initiative (@prideforyouthin) to protect fellow trans women in rural Uganda. In 2019, her life fell apart.

In Uganda, queer people are illegal. They suffer incredible harrassment and violence not only from law enforcement, but from their communities.
outrightinternational.org/our-work/sub-s…

In 2019, Richard was at a gay bar when the police raided it. She was arrested. When she was tried, neither her lawyer nor her were even permitted to speak. She was sent to jail.
But that was only the beginning.
The police outed Richard as queer to her family.

Richard's family responded by kicking her out of their home and lives. She was homeless, with nowhere to go. It was through her own inimitable spirit that she managed to survive.
This experience inspired her to create a shelter for trans women, especially sex workers.

She did it. Through the Pride for Youth Initiative, Richard established a shelter for trans women in rural Uganda. The need was great. This shelter is the last place trans women in rural Uganda can turn, in an environment where their communities and governments are against them.

But their troubles didn't end there. The surrounding community has pressured their landlord into evicting them from the shelter. If the landlord won't evict these trans women from their shelter, the community threatens mob violence.

So Richard and the other trans women staying at her shelter are now faced with the impossible; raise enough money to relocate 13 incredibly vulnerable Black trans women in rural Uganda in the next 8 days.
They only need 5,000 dollars. They've raised less than 500 so far.

So this is an emergency. These women are at incredibly high risk of not only homelessness, but violence from their community. Their courage in simply existing is unimaginable to many of us in more privileged positions.

Richard told me this morning that she is afraid, but that won't stop her, because she is fighting for human rights. She told me she is prepared to be arrested again, or to even be killed, to do this work. She told me those are simply the risks one must accept.

To say I am humbled and inspired by her and the other women staying at her shelter is an understatement. Our entire conversation, even while recounting her traumatic experiences, Richard was smiling. The strength of her person and her convictions is an inspiration to us all.

This fundraiser could be life or death for 13 Black trans women in rural Uganda. To say that the struggles they have already faced are immense is an understatement. They are willing to keep fighting, not only for themselves, but for others. They have 8 days left before eviction.

If we claim to care about trans people, that must extend to the most vulnerable trans people. If we claim to care about trans liberation, that must extend globally, especially to exploited regions. Trans people are everywhere.

Again; this is an emergency. 13 Black trans women in rural Uganda are facing eviction and community mob violence unless they can raise enough money to relocate in the next 8 days. Please open your heart and your wallet. It could literally save lives.
gofundme.com/f/the-pride-fo…

I also want to emphasize that people in exploited regions are more than capable of saving themselves. They are fully capable, with advanced knowledge of their issues and communities. They know what they need more than those from more affluent areas.

Exploited regions have been shaped by colonization, racism and imperialism. It is not only kind, but morally imperative that those of us who benefit every day from this ongoing exploitation try to reduce this imbalance of power and affluence. This is a wonderful opportunity.

One final note! If you would like to share Richard's story and fundraiser yourself or if you know of an organization that may be able to help, and would like more information, I would be happy to connect you to Richard personally. Please reach out via DMs.

#MutualAid #MutualAidRequest #TransMutualAid #TransRightsAreHumanRights #blackTRANSlivesmatter
13 trans women in rural Uganda are facing eviction and mob violence unless they can raise enough money to relocate in the next 8 days. Please share + contribute.
gofundme.com/f/the-pride-fo…

We've passed 1000$!! We, as a community, can do this! Keep sharing this critical need please!

Just passed 2,000$! Almost halfway there!

Halfway point has been reached! Please continue to share so we can assist these women getting to safety!

Just hit 4000/5000!! I am SO grateful to everyone who has donated or helped spread the message. Kindness matters.

What Richard and the other trans women involved here are doing is nothing short of revolutionary resistance. I am so proud to count myself among those who have supported them in this invaluable work.

Less than 500$ to go!!

The original goal has been met, thank you all SO MUCH! Due to this success, Richard has raised the goal in order to not only relocate the shelter, but to buy more beds, bedsheets, food and utilities for the shelter going forwards.

PLEASE keep sharing this and donating if you are able. I have been speaking to Richard over Whatsapp today and none of the women have eaten today because they cannot afford food. This is still URGENT and these women are still in crisis.

Only 1500$ to go, to dramatically impact and possibly save 13 lives of vulnerable trans women in rural Uganda. They have truly nowhere else to go, and nowhere else to turn for support. They are depending on us.
gofund.me/bd4d26d2

Less than 1500$ to go! Please help if you are able! Every bit counts.

A message from Shinah (Richard) to you all! She says "thank you" and "bambi", which she has kindly translated for me as "humbled."

Less than 700$ to go! We are so, so close!