We Must Give Black Trans Women Their Flowers, Not Just While They’re Here but to Keep Them Here.
Brianna Hill. Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle ‘Tamika’ Washington — these are just a few of the names of Black Transgender women who have been murdered this year in 2019.
As early as January 6th, black trans women across the country have been losing their lives due to hate crimes. They were women filled with nothing but love, kindness, generosity, and a drive to live life the best way that they could.
Reports for these murders, and many others, have shown that the ones who commit the killings are either acquaintances, partners, or strangers. However, transgender women don’t just have to fear for the safety of their lives, they also have to suffer the risks of unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and/or survival sex work. The number of transgender women that get killed around the United States just for being who they are is an epidemic that is and has been going unnoticed. An issue like this hasn’t just been happening in the year of 2019, but it can accurately date back to the year of 2013. Many of these attacks that occur are often done by some type of weapon — usually a firearm. Though most of what is going on isn’t considered popular or deemed as the type of news that should be broadcasted, this topic needs to raise awareness for the transgender African American women who are getting their lives taken because of hate.
There are some organizations established that were created to assist transgender women, like The Marsha P. Johnson Institute. One of them is called The Transwomen of Color Collective founded by Dr. Lourdes Ashley Hunter — an African American trans women herself. Through her organization’s website, there are options to donate, learn more about their initiative, and contact them directly. There is also Trans People of Color Coalition, whose purpose is to advance justice for all trans people and to bring the importance of trans stories, intersectional issues of racism, transphobia and transmisogyny to the forefront of everyday news. There are ways to donate to their cause, catch up on their story spotlights, and find out more about their mission to fight Donald Trump’s military band on transgender women and men. Additionally, there is an option for site visitors to share their trans military experience if veterans or active duty.
This is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed and should’ve been addressed when the first black transgender woman was killed for being who they are. There is no excuse as to why multiple transgender people, especially women of color, have lost their lives due to another person’s hate. Raising awareness for this issue would not only bring light to those who have already passed, but also might quite possibly save the life of another transgender woman of color.
Are you a black trans woman and want to submit your story to TSFGMag? Email thesunflowergirlco@gmail.com.
