June Roundup
Film
The fall out over the end of Pose has reverberated across the Black Diaspora. Questions! Why! Why! Why! did the show have to end. The two hour finale was stupendous, emotional, gloriously sad and weepy and uplifting all at the same time. The dumping of Pray Tell’s ashes on the mayor’s lawn was fitting as I imagine Pray Tell will haunt him forever. I imagine sharing the rest of the ashes between his beloved family will give them strength and courage to live their lives to the full. Yes its all REAL.
I checked out some of the online responses to the end of POSE and this one by Nigerian gay Vblooger, “For Fags Sake” spoke best on the strength of the series and why it has been such a groundbreaking cultural production. POSE has been a 180 degree shift in the representaton of transgender people.
Its over but there is still the time for the media/film industry to recognize this groundbreaking production, the cast, the directors the film crew with all the accolades available. An open letter from GLAAD calls for exactly this
“This television season Emmy voters have the opportunity to make history — an opportunity to celebrate an entire underrepresented community that hasn’t been valued for their artistic vision, creativity, or contributions,” the letter begins, proceeding to detail how significant it is that, for the first time, “the largest national LGBTQ+ organizations [and] the four largest North American LGBTQ+ film festivals” have joined forces to “pen an open letter in support of a single series’ worthiness for recognition at the Emmy Awards…… the series
“transformed the landscape of transgender representation in Hollywood and educated the world on who transgender people are, all while entertaining audiences with high energy, compelling drama, and authentic storytelling.”
The series has “struck an undeniable emotional and cultural chord that will not soon be forgotten,”
Campaigns
The #EndTransDetention campaign launched by BLMP, The Transgender Law Center, Familia TQLM and Mijente are calling for the immediate release of ALL transgender people and people living with HIV and other medical conditions to be released from ICE custody! IF PRIDE is to mean anything to the US government beyond a babble of words then action is required. The campaign is now in it’s sixth year and WE are tried of flag waving and rainbow painting easy responses!
You can support the campaign through their website here.
Anti-Trans Legislation
Some good news in response to the 100 + pieces of anti-trans legislation, Rep Richie Torres of New York plans to table a resolution condeming the anti-trans bills passed or in consideration by states.
“It is shameful to witness legislatures across the country endorse policies that endanger the safety of trans individuals and block access to critical services,” Torres said in a statement to NBC News. “My resolution makes it clear that Congress denounces the rise in anti-trans legislation and hate crimes, and that as a body we will pursue legislation that protects the well-being and safety of the trans community.”
The legislations particularly target trans youth such as by prohibiting the medical care they need and preventing them from taking part in school sports. Iya Dammons founded the Baltimore Safe Haven for vulnerable trans youth and young adults particularly those in working in sex work with health services, housing, food and a safe space to gather and share.
Dammons comment on the response from the media reports on her work
“All the hype really didn’t do it for me,” she said, regarding the accolades and heightened media interest around social justice after last year’s uprisings. “All the hype from people thinking it’s the right thing to do to donate to Black trans women at that time. But guess what? We still gon’ be here. The root issues are still going to be here. So we’re still going to be fighting when people forget about us. That was a year ago, and I’m still working on grassroots issues of what happens to the trans community. And not only the trans community, but the LGBTQ and non-binary community.”
The GJLP No Pride Without Trans Youth report Zine can be downloaded via the TLC website here
