Memorial Candlelight Vigil For Brandy Martell Next Week

For those of you in the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area there will be a candlelight vigil next Monday April 29 to commemorate the one year anniversary of Brandy Martell's April 29 death.   It will take place at the Franklin and 13th St. corner in Downtown Oakland where she was fatally shot

The waste of DNA who committed this crime as of yet still hasn't been brought to justice.  If you have information concerning this crime please contact the Oakland Police Department at 510-777-3333.    

The vigil is being organized by Tiffany Woods of the Tri-City Health Center and co sponsored by them and TransVision.   It will run from 7-8:30 PM PDT so if you can, take a moment to attend and remember one of our lost sisters.   If you need further information about it you can e-mail her at twoods@tri-city health.org or call her at 510-456-3521.

Brandy, know that Bay Area trans community won't rest until the person who took you away from us far too soon has been caught and is serving time for it.

Three Girls Like Us-One Year Later

35 year old Coko Williams of Detroit was one of three African-American transwomen killed during the month of April 2012 along with Paige Clay in Chicago and Brandy Martell of Oakland.

Coko's brutal April 3 slaying and subsequent disrespecting by a local media outlet set off a bloody month for African-American girls like us. 

On April 16 we got the word that 21 year old Paige Clay was found shot to death in an Chicago west side alley.  

The month closed with 37 year old Brandy Martell being shot April 29 while sitting behind the wheel of her car at 13th and Franklin Streets in downtown Oakland.

I wish I could write in this post the wastes of DNA who committed these crimes against our transsisters have been arrested, are awaiting trial or are rotting in jail for doing so.  But unfortunately, at this time I haven't been able to confirm there have been arrests in any of the three cases.

If you have information about Coko's killing, you can contact Detroit police at (313) 596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at www.1800speakup.org or by texting CSM and your tips to CRIMES (274637).

If you have information concerning the Martell case please contact the Oakland Police Department at 510-777-3333


In the meantime life has moved on.   Our tears have dried, these women have been laid to rest and all the people whose lives they touched on one level or another.have or are still grieving their loss with candelight vigils marking the one year anniversary of them being taken away from us. 

What irritates many of us in addition to them being taken away from us far too soon is what we lost.   Paige was just beginning her life at age 21, Coko and Brandy were ages 35 and 37.  All were contributing their skills and talents in their own ways toward making their Chicago, Detroit and Oakland communities better.

The other common thread in their lives besides being girls like us and dying in the same month was they were all loved by the people whose lives they touched
 
The people who killed them may be walking around free right now thinking they got away with it, but on one level or another they will face justice, be it from the legal system or the karmic kind.    

But one thing is certain.  Coko, Paige and Brandy we will never forget.   

ELIXHER Showing Their Trans Sisters Some Love

The Trans 100 List is definitely doing its job of facilitating positive conversations inside and outside the trans community in terms of our accomplishments, who we are as people and in the case of non-white trans folks, that we exist and are major contributors to the advancement of trans human rights.

We're also starting to see breakout stories like this one as a result of the publishing of the initial list. 

ELIXHER wrote this post focused on the 11 African-American girls like us who were named to the initial Trans 100 List.   Thanks ELIXHER for the love you've shown your trans sisters since your inception and may those bonds of sisterhood continue to strengthen and grow.

To BET, The Root, The Grio and any onther African-American outlet that publishes a chococentric TBLG list from now on, you have no excuse anymore NOT to include Black trans people and defend your trans-free list by making the weak excuse that you don't lknow of any Black trans transpeople. 

You do now.   


And oh yeah ELIXHER, congratulations on reaching your fundraising goal!

Will My Transsisters Have The Pleasure Of Growing Old?

I hit the Big 5-0 last year and I'm four weeks from hopefully reaching another Cuatro De Mayo celebration and turning 51.  

But that knowledge that I'm cruising toward another May 4 birthday has been jolted by two murders of African-American transwomen in the span of 48 hours in Baltimore and Orlando.

29 year old Kelly Young and 30 year old Ashley Sinclair will not only never celebrate another birthday, they will never get to know what I felt when I hit age 40, much less age 50. I'm also thinking about the fact that had I not made the correct decisions one night back in 1996, I may not have made it to my 40th or 50th birthdays either and this post much less this blog wouldn't be here for you to enjoy..

The details of the Young and Sinclair murders are still being sorted out by the police departments in the cities they resided in, but we can presume that both of them being girls like us is probably a contributing factor to them being killed.   Their deaths have ripple effects not only for their families and friends, but all the people whose lives they touched.

I recall a conversation Janet Mock, Kimberley McLeod and I had during OUT on the Hill last year in which we talked about me hitting that milestone.  I was ambivalent about it until Janet reminded me it was a blessing for me to be this age and as an African descended trans woman I'd beaten the odds stacked against me to celebrate my 40th and 50th birthdays. (And if I continue to be blessed with good health, I hope to be around for my 60th.)

That was a sobering though that shook me out of my ambivalence toward hitting 50.  All of a sudden realizing as I did before that OUT on the Hill trans woman town hall that I was now an elder stateswoman that the girls like us of Janet's generation and younger were counting on for leadership, to pass down their history to them, be a mentor and most of all be role models as to how a trans woman can age gracefully and still be a fierce warrior for trans human rights.

As I write this post I'm thinking about Miss Major, Sharyn Grayson, Cheryl Courtney-Evans, and Tracie Jada O'Brien,  They are the trans elders I look up to, admire and I have the benefit of calling them when I have questions, concerns or simply wish to bask in their wisdom.  I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to do the same with Gloria Allen in Chicago.  

Speaking of opportunities, I'm angry that I'm not going to get the opportunity to meet or talk to Kelly or Ashley someday.  I'm disappointed I won't be able to do for them what the trans elders in my sistahcircle have done for me.  It's why I take time out of my life to converse with my trans younglings when they hit me up on my Facebook page to chat about whatever they wish to talk about or call me on the phone to do so..  

The trans younglings get a big kick out of talking to the legendary award winning TransGriot, but I get just as much enjoyment and knowledge out of these conversations as they do.

I wish I'd had that ability when I was their age to have approachable trans feminine role models to just ask questions of and soak up the knowledge about how to navigate the world in a Black trans feminine body and avoid the pitfalls, traps and snares that can sidetrack you to achieving that quality life you deserve.

I'm beyond sick and tired of being sick and tired of the near genocidal levels of anti-trans violence that are taking away far too many under 30 transwomen of color before they've had a chance to live their lives.  We are not only losing them, but their potential contributions and talents toward building all the communities we intersect and interact with.  Our young transkids who are in elementary, middle and high schools now are also losing the people who could have one day potentially become their mentors.

But frankly, the one thing I want most for my trans younglings besides having trans human rights laws on the books and being able to live their lives relatively free of anti-trans hatred and bias is deceptively simple. 

I want to see them be able to grow up to reach my age and beyond.

Will my trans sisters be able to have the pleasure of growing old?  I sincerely hope so.

Conversations With Tona Brown Video Series

The multi-talented Tona Brown has started posting interviews of various people in the trans community and others that pique her interest on her YouTube channel. 

She calls the segment 'Conversations With Tona Brown' and if you're wondering when your favorite blogger is scheduled to do one, it's going to happen the next time I'm in the Washington DC area.

These are wonderful interview which are not only shedding light on these two longtime Baltimore area activists, they are capturing a historical moment in time for future generations of trans people and frankly deserve a wider audience.    

Here are some of the interviews she's done already with Cydne Kimbrough. and Monica Stevens

Cydne Kimbrough Part 1

 


Cydne Kimbrough Part 2




Monica Stevens Part 1





Monica Stevens Part 2

Women's History Month 2013 Includes Us Trans Women, Too!

 With today being March 1, it's the start of Women's History Month.

For the next 31 days we'll focus our history attention on the groundbreaking achievements and accomplishments of women of all races, creeds and colors.

And yes, trans women, and especially trans women of color do have something to contribute to this discussion.

We are 60 years past the date when Christine Jorgensen stepped off her SAS flight from Copenhagen into the white hot media spotlight in New York as the first post World War II trans person to get media attention.

That recognition of our contributions to women's history has been far too slow in coming for African-American trans women, but it hasn't stopped us from doing what we had to do to fight for our humanity, recognition of our femininity, while lifting ourselves up and the communities we interact with at the same time.   

From Marsha P Johnson, Miss Major, Dr. Marisa Richmond to 21st century transwomen such as Janet Mock, Isis King, Laverne Cox and others like your humble blogger who are blazing trails today for the next generation of trans kids to follow, Women's History Month also includes our long time contributions to uplifting others as we climb and telling our fascinating stories as we do so.  

We also have women such as Lucy Hicks Anderson, Avon Wilson, Tenika Watson, Georgia Black, Lady Java, Ajita Wilson, Tona Brown, Carlett Brown. Patricia Underwood and countless others who have either fascinating stories to tell, made history in their own right or fought for their own dignity, respect and human rights.

And we can't forget our trans sisters who are no longer here or our international trans sisters like Naomi Fontanos, Sass Rogando Sasot, Audrey Mbugua, Jowelle De Souza or Mia Nikasimo, .

So yes, for the next 31 days, Women's History Month also includes the stories of trans women, too..   

Congrats On Your Fab Fashion Show, Isis!

What many people don't realize about my multi-talented sis Isis is that she is a fashion designer who creates many of the dresses she wears when she's on the red carpet of some of our community events.

Last week was Fashion Week in New York, and Monday night at the Wix Lounge saw the debut of Isis' Fall 2013 clothing line. 

The people in attendance at 'The Goldest Winter Ever' included Laverne Cox and Janet Mock.  The models walking the runway included some of her castmates from America's Next Top Model wearing her clothing designs that were a hit with the crowd and reporters covering it.

Isis was appreciative of the love and support she received from peers, friends, family members and fans. "I am still in shock and overwhelmed," she said in an interview. "Great turnout, great press, everything looked amazing on the girls. My stylist Hayden pulled amazing pumps for the girls to wear. Their faces were gold like I wanted. The world gets to see my imagination come to life."

Yep, but I said as much back in 2008, so it really shouldn't have been a big surprise

Sis, you have the look, the intelligence and the talent to go all the way. I have no doubts that you will succeed at whatever you choose to do. You also have something else going for you that many people don't have who are trying to enter the fashion industry- a worldwide community of people who love you and wish you nothing but success.

And those people who love you and wish you nothing but success include a certain Texas based blogger.   Congrats on a fabulous show and hope you have many more like it to come at future Fashion Weeks..

Arrest In Hampton Murder Case

Needed to give your TransGriot readers an update in the Kendall Hampton case, the 26 year old transwoman who was shot and killed in the Cincinnati metro area suburb of Walnut Hills, OH last August. and subsequently misgendered and disrespected by the local media.

There is news on the justice front for Ms. Hampton.  19 year old Eugene Carlos Dukes was arrested in September and has been indicted on murder charges by a Hamilton County, Ohio Grand Jury.

As I get the details concerning trail dates, the status of the case and the eventual verdict I will pass them along to you

Trans Model Connie Fleming Strikes A FLOTUS Pose

The fledgling trans style magazine Candy is only four issues old, but publisher Luis Venegas looked to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for inspiration for the Winter 2012 cover.

It features trans model Connie Fleming styled and made up to resemble First Lady Michelle Obama.

The split front cover shows New York based model Fleming, who worked for fashion designer and Ugly Betty stylist Patrica Field, being sworn into office and waving an American flag accompanied by the headline 'The Candydate'.

Venegas explained the rationale behind this Candy cover in a Dazed Digital magazine interview..

“I remember back in early 2007 when the Democratic Party’s nominees were narrowed down between two ‘controversial’ stereotypes never before seen for presidency: a black man, Barack Obama; and a woman, Hillary Rodham Clinton. At that time, I thought, ‘when will the time come when these archaic walls break down and the White House will be occupied by, for example, a black, transsexual woman?’”

The cover has definitely been generating some buzz and conversation on the Net and has its fans and its detractors.  I fall somewhere in the middle on this. 

I'm just happy they didn't decide to do some full of fail 'edgy' cover and put a white transwoman in blackface on it.

Divine Nine Sororities, Are You Open To Trans Women Joining?

Because of my elder stateswoman status in the trans community and this blog I'm blessed to have, I do get my fair share of inquiries from trans people about various issues that affect us.

Sometimes it's just a person looking for advice. Another time it may be someone needing just a kind word from somebody who has been down the road they are traveling. 

And far too often it's from another African descended trans woman frustrated about being the lone POC in a predominately white group and feeling marginalized as a member of it.. 

Last night I engaged in a Facebook chat with a young African-American trans woman who is in college.  She has been transitioned for almost a decade, is interested in fulfilling her dream of pledging a Divine Nine sorority and asked me if it was feasible to do so.

That was a good question that I asked in a March 21, 2007 post. 

So that begs the question. If the Divine Nine sororities embrace all women, does that include myself and other transwomen as well?

It's a valid question because those four sororities have over a half million members and have already embraced Latina, Asian and White women as members.   They are powerful professional organizations within the African-American community, have a rich history and legacy, have international reach and count as members accomplished women in business, government, entertainment, sports, the arts, the armed forces and the media 

I implored the various sororities to get ahead of the curve on the issue of trans membership while they can do so on their terms because with kids transitioning at earlier ages, this issue was going to crop up sooner or later. 

Now in December 2012, that issue may be at hand.

So what was my answer to that trans woman in question?   I gave her a 'it depends' response.

It depends on the organization, the particular chapter on the college campus you pledge at, how open minded the members of that chapter are, the region of the country and their attitudes about #girlslikeus .   

Maybe these sororities already have trans women in their ranks that I'm not aware of.   Maybe these organizations have begun at the national leadership level quietly going about the work of opening their doors to trans women as they have previously done  with our lesbian and bi sisters  

But that uncertainty about where each Divine Nine sorority stands on the question of admitting trans women doesn't give me the confidence to tell a young trans woman dreaming about proudly wearing the Greek letters of those orgs and their colors yes or no about pledging one.  

I'm happy to report she's determined and tough minded enough to do it anyway.

I would hope that if a qualified #girllikeus decided she was down with the historic mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta or Sigma Gamma Rho, loved that sorority's history, was qualified to be a member, and wanted to be a part of building their legacy for a new century of service she would be invited to do so and not disrespectfully turned away.  

TransGriot Note:  The photo of the sorority dolls in this post is from Trinity Designs

More News In The Nizah Morris Case

Our late trans sister Nizah Morris in Philadelphia has been gone almost ten years.   The Philadelphia trans community and our allies have never gotten a satisfactory explanation of how she died from a fatal head wound on Christmas Eve after leaving a downtown area LGBT bar seriously inebriated.and receiving a courtesy ride on December 22, 2002 from the Philadelphia Police Department.

In the latest intrigue surrounding this case it seems the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office refuses to confirm or deny whether it has a police log pertaining to the Nizah Morris case, even though such logs are considered public records under Pennsylvania state law.

Something else to make you go hmm about the Morris case and the ongoing investigation into it.

It also leads me to ask the question I asked last year and add to it.   What does the Philadelphia District Attorney's office and the Philadelphia PD know about what happened to Nizah Morris, when did they know it, and if the po-po's are involved, who did it? 

Thanks to Kathleen Padilla for sending me this PGN link about the updated news in the Nizah Morris case

2012 NBJC Out On The Hill-I'm Part Of The Star Studded Lineup

Note to you peeps in the Washington DC area and beyond, I'm going to be in the Washington DC area for the 3rd annual edition of the National Black Justice Coalition's Out On The Hill.    Early bird registration at the discounted rate ends today, so get moving if you want to own your power, be at this powerful gathering of Black LGBT leaders and be fiscally responsible while doing so, too.

It'll be worth your time to attend Out On The Hill as well, and I'm not saying it because yours truly is taking part in two panel discussions.  I looking forward to meeting many of the people who will be there for this September 19-22 event and getting the opportunity to hang out with my NBJC family.

And I'll also be dropping an exciting announcement of my own during the conference as well. 

One of the panels I'll be participating in will be a September 21 one from 9-11:30 AM EDT moderated by Laverne Cox  entitled The System. The Reality. The Solution. Honoring and Protecting the Lives of Black Trans Women

OUT on the Hill will feature an unprecedented briefing of prominent Black trans women who are activists, media personalities and subject matter experts as they discuss why it is important to be intentional about including the "T" as we develop the national Black LBGT agenda. In the midst of adversity, this community of resilient, powerful sisters has managed to come together and demand a seat at the table. 

Some of my fellow panelists being invited to participate along with yours truly are my fellow Texan Rev. Carmarion Anderson,  Kokumo Kinetic, Danielle King, Valerie Spencer and Bali White       

NBJC Announces OUT on the Hill 2012 Star-Studded Line Up On September 19-22, over 200 Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders and activists from across the country will gather in the nation's capital for the National Black Justice Coalition's (NBJC) 3rd annual OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leadership Summit. OUT on the Hill attendees will participate in an inspiring week of discussion, strategizing and organizing as well as educating congressional leaders and federal agencies about Black LGBT public policy concerns. Openly gay ESPN/CNN columnist and commentator LZ Granderson serves as the 2012 OUT on the Hill national chair. Click here for the full schedule Early bird registration ends September 5, 2012. Register today!  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm     The OUT on the Hill Black LGBT Leaders Day at the White House will include presentations from the Obama Administration. Previous speakers include Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs; Gautam Raghavan, Associate Director of Public Engagement (LGBT Liaison), White House Office of Public Engagement; and Heather Foster, Director of African American Outreach, White House Office of Public Engagement.   Building Black LGBT Political Power in our Nation's Capitol  NBJC Issue Advocacy Day 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm    Issue Advocacy Day is an opportunity for the Black LGBT community to engage congressional offices on the issues that matter to our communities.  By empowering delegates to vocalize their personal stories and experiences with anti-LGBT discrimination in the halls of power, we will continue to build public support for pro-LGBT equality legislation in the Black community.  The System. The Reality. The Solution. Honoring and Protecting the Lives of Black Trans Women 9:00 am - 11:30 am OUT on the Hill will feature an unprecedented briefing of prominent Black trans women who are activists, media personalities and subject matter experts as they discuss why it is important to be intentional about including the "T" as we develop the national Black LBGT agenda. In the midst of adversity, this community of resilient, powerful sisters has managed to come together and demand a seat at the table.   Moderated by Laverne Cox, Trans Activist/Producer/Actress Invited Panelists Include: Rev. Carmarion Anderson - South Regional Minister, TransSaints Kokumo Kinetic - Performing Artist  Danielle King - Executive Director, National Aurora Campaign Monica Roberts - Blogger, TransGriot Valerie Spencer - Founder, Transcend Empowerment Institute  Bali White - Program Coordinator, Hetrick-Martin Institute How the LGBT Equality Movement Has Impacted Black America and the Media Landscape A Discussion with Media Experts about How the National Dialogue Has Changed Over the Last Year 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm NBJC will host its now annual LGBT-themed Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference issue forum, where prominent journalists and media experts examine how the president's affirmation of the freedom to marry has changed the media landscape, challenged the myth that Black people are 'more homophobic' than other racial groups, and opened up more doors to talk not just marriage, but other issues such as economic justice, HIV/AIDS, and job discrimination. Moderated by Jeff Johnson, Journalist/Political Commentator, BET Invited Panelists Include: Keith Boykin - Commentator, BET/CNBC Carolyn Brown - Senior Multimedia Content Producer, Black Enterprise Clay Cane - Entertainment Editor, BET.com Jonathan Capehart - Columnist, Washington Post Nelsan Ellis, Actor, True Blood  LZ Granderson - Contributor, CNN/ESPN Dee Rees - Filmmaker, Pariah The Great Recession Luncheon Harnessing the Collective Economic Potential of the Black LGBT Community 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Keynote speaker Eugene Cornelius, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), launches "Many Faces, One Dream," the SBA's 13-city LGBT economic empowerment tour with the National Black Justice Coalition. The luncheon will be a collaborative dialogue about current challenges to employment security, economic empowerment, and financial literacy for Black LGBT Americans.    Invited Panelists Include: Kenyon Farrow - Communications Director, The Praxis Project   Monique Hall - Vice President, DCI Group   Julian High - Vice President of Business Development, Carrington and Carrington Katheryn King - Regional Vice President, US Bank

    

Black Trans History-Ajita Wilson

Stumbled across an interesting piece of Black trans history while searching for something trans related to write about.   It concerns the surprising note that cult film actress Ajita Wilson was a trans woman.   But then again, why should I be surprised about what I discover when it comes to women like us?

It's simply another fascinating piece of Black trans history that I'm bringing to your attention.     

She was born in Brooklyn, New York around 1950 and started out as a female illusionist and entertainer in New York's red light district   She had her sex realignment surgery in the mid 1970's and not long after that occurred began appearing in underground adult films being produced in the New York area. 

She was discovered by a European film producer who got her roles in French, Italian, Greek and Spanish films.  By 1978 Wilson had built up quite a following and name recognition in doing so.  
She appeared in a seemingly nonstop series of films during the 1970s and 1980's that ranged from soft and hardcore porn films to mainstream horror, light comedy, anachronistic historical epics and espionage thrillers.  

Interestingly enough one of the people she worked with during her film career was The Exorcist actress Linda Blair in the movie Savage Island.

To add another interesting note to this post about her, she was a Jet Magazine pin up girl.  Ajita Wilson appeared in the August 20, 1981 issue of the iconic Jet Magazine as their Beauty of The Week    That may make her possibly the first trans woman to hold that distinction.

While her acting career was still going strong and in a positive direction for her she was involved in a horrific automobile accident in Rome, Italy.   She passed away from a brain hemorrhage on May 26, 1987 that resulted from that accident.

After Wilson's death, speculation about her trans status began to emerge.  When director Carlos Aured was asked to comment on it, he said this in reply.to the interviewer's question.

"She was charming, beautiful and very professional. The rest is not important." he said. 

Indeed.  Ajita Wilson was as director Aured said, charming, beautiful and professional as an actress.  But I'd disagree about the second part of his comment.  

In that time period there were very few out Black transfeminine role models.  While I understand what the transition protocols were at that time and she was a product of that era, it sure would have been nice to know that Ajita Wilson was also a girl like us, too.

Another Young Chicago Transwoman Killed

Sad news to report before I depart for Charlotte, and thanks to reader Jessica Wicks for bringing it to my attention.

19 year old Tiffany Gooden was found stabbed to death on Tuesday in an abandoned building in the 4800 block of West Jackson Street on Chicago's West Side.    This comes less than four months after Paige Clay was found shot dead in an alley less than three blocks from that location. 

My reaction to the news that another young transsister's life was snuffed out?   I'm pissed, and the transphobic idiots running rampant in the comment threads of the CBS2 news story isn't helping my mood. 

I also didn't appreciate the writer sticking in the story courtesy of some random street interview the 'Black transwomen are prostitutes' meme

Chicago Police according to the story are investigating both the Clay case and the Gooden one.   They'd better be, because if they aren't, I'm going to find out about it courtesy of local activists.  I will be keeping an eye on this latest murder as well with the help of the Chicago rainbow community until the wastes of DNA who committed it are brought to justice.

But add Tiffany Gooden's name to the sadly lengthening list of people we will be memorializing when the 2012 edition of the Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place in November.

Time To Pay Us Black Trans Speakers, Too

One of the things that irritates me and other African-American trans community people who have gotten the opportunity to do speaking engagements is running into a meme, mindset or mistaken belief by organizers and planners of these events.

It's a mistaken belief that because we African-American trans speakers don't get as many of these speaking opportunities vis a vis our white counterparts, we are so starved for the attention that we'll do these for free or severely reduced rates.

We African-American trans peeps have bills to pay and need to replenish our bank accounts like just like our white trans community counterparts do.  To be honest, it's our stories that urgently need to be heard by society in addition to us getting the visibility that white trans people have had since 1953.

Our chocolate trans people not only need to be heard because they bring fresh perspectives and innovative thinking to the ongoing rainbow community human rights discussion, frankly y'all need the 'ejumacation' about what our lives are like and what we think about the hot topic issues inside and outside our rainbow community. 

And Black trans speakers also need to be standing up at podiums inside the Black community as well doing the 'ejumacation' and sharing our knowledge as Kylar just did at the recently concluded NAACP convention in Houston..

Black transpeople need to be showcased far more frequently than they are nowadays because it will blow up the erroneous perception in communities of color and society that thoughtful, visionary trans people like us don't exist.   It also is concrete evidence we have out and proud unapologetically Black trans people who are involved in the rainbow human rights struggle and we Black trans people have some ideas about where the movement needs to go..

And yes, those fresh perspectives are worth paying for to hear them.if you have the ability to do so.

Two years ago Dan Choi was getting flack because either he or his agent was allegedly asking for $10,000 before he'll even step to the microphone to speak.  It was something a then Texas Tech student complained about and I rebutted in my Activists Need To Get Paid, Too post.

My fee is not even close to that.  

A few years ago in the wake of my keynote speech at the 2008 gender conference I was part of at the University of Colorado, I had an inquiry come in about my availability to speak at a large west coast city's pride march.   They were willing to go as far as fly me roundtrip out from Louisville and put me up in a hotel, but when I asked for a mere $500 on top of that there was cricket chirping silence.

Considering my profile in the trans activist community and status, they were getting off extremely cheap.  I also believe that had I been a melanin free trans human being I would have been standing at the podium that day and had more money than that mere $500 in my purse on the way back to Da Ville.   

I'm also hearing the same complaints from other African-American activists who have had a few colleges or groups balk at paying speaking fees when we are quite aware they had no problem shelling out far more money for white activists who don't have one-tenth of the activist resumes many of us have put together.

But yes, if you want to help speed up that day when trans African-Americans can do our parts to help uplift our community and be financially stable enough to be able to donate to your causes, y'all have make that investment in our talents as well.

Time to pay the Black transman and Black transwoman for their stories and valuable time that they are willing to spend to enliven you event when you summon the courage to ask them to do so.

Black Community, It's Past Time To Fight For Black Trans Women's Human Rights

“When people are fighting for women’s rights, they’re not so much fighting for trans women’s rights. And when people are fighting for civil rights for black people, they’re not fighting for the rights of trans women of color.”   Janet Mock

Janet Mock said this in a recent Loop 21 article discussing the human rights of Black trans women, and she is dead on target  

It's a point that I have spent much of my activist career and the six years this blog has been in operation trying to make to fellow African Americans inside and outside the chocolate rainbow community and anyone else who would listen.

It seems like at long last that point is finally getting heard.

When I'm out and about in this world, my being Black goes wherever I do and is part and parcel of whatever community I interact with.   You see that aspect of me before we even touch on the fact that I'm trans.  I'm also a walking example of intersectionality because I interact with women, the African-American community, the trans community, womanists and the LGB community just to name a few.

So as someone who is a proud member of the African-American community and trans communities and who is concerned about the human rights of both, it's past time that my cis Black brothers and sisters begin to fight for trans human rights just as hard as I and other Black trans people push for the human rights of African-Americans to be respected and protected.

As Fannie Lou Hamer once said, when I liberate others, I liberate myself.   Trans people are and have always been part of the kente cloth fabric of African-American life.  We didn't just pop up in this century and the issues that affect me as a transperson also are ones that affect the African-American community as well.

For example, as a Texan, when voter suppression laws are passed that are aimed at my people, they not only affect me as an African-American, they also affect me as a transperson.   We transpeople still have problems with getting ID that accurately affects who we are as people.  

If you're going to require that I have a photo ID to vote but won't allow me to change the gender code on said photo ID without having to go in front of a judge and pay legal fees to do so, that is a poll tax that violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Police brutality, stop and frisk policing, unemployment and underemployment, racism and bigotry, HIV/AIDS, the War on Women and as I mentioned in the previous paragraph voting rights are just some of the policy issues affecting trans people that overlap with our cis African descended brothers and sisters.  

We also deal with off the charts violence aimed at African-American transwomen as well.  I'm tired of losing young Black transwomen at the rate of two per month and memorializing them every November 20 at Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremonies. I'm tired of seeing us face a 26% unemployment rate and having our humanity disrespected, people thinking it's okay to do so and our ministers, legacy organizations and media outlets being silent about it.

I'm also not happy about transwomen being used by people who hate on independent and proud Black women such as the Williams sisters and countless others to insult and question their femininity and perpetuate the 'unwoman' meme aimed at all of us. 

As the 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey is pointing out, we're catching hell right now and we're going to need help passing the legislation and formulating the policies that will help alleviate our suffering.. We want to work, pay our taxes, vote for the candidates of our choice and live our lives without interference.  We also want to be in a better position before the end of this decade to be able to do our part to uplift ourselves as African descended transpeople, the race and be better allies to all the communities we intersect with.

Black community, it's past time to fight for Black trans women and their human rights.  By doing so, you'll be expanding human rights coverage for yourselves. 

Isis Appears In Trailblazing American Apparel Ad Campaign

This is turning out to be my little sis Isis King's year so far as well. 

She's got a role in an upcoming movie called Hello Forever and now she's making American Apparel's Legalize Gay clothing line look good.

Hey, I'll freely admit I'm biased.  But I spoke the truth as well.  She does look good in it.

Just to give you some background on this developing story, clothing giant American Apparel teamed up with GLAAD to produce a new line of equality tees in time for LGBT Pride Month.

As part of the launch for this new product line, in a company first, American Apparel is featuring an openly trans model in its ad campaign in which GLAAD worked alongside American Apparel in casting for the new ads that Isis was chosen for.  .

The online and print ads featuring Isis and four current and former GLAAD staff members donning the Pride shirts will appear across the nation.   In addition 15% of all proceeds from purchased American Apparel Pride shirts will go to GLAAD to support their work.

American Apparel employees will also join GLAAD staff in LGBT Pride marches across the country, including in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Participants will each receive an AA tee, courtesy of American Apparel. Here's how you can join up in those cities

“We're super proud to support LGBT Pride again this year and partner with GLAAD in these events. It’s time for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, to accept each other and thrive in harmony. We hope everyone comes out and joins us," said Marsha Brady, a creative director for American Apparel.

"American Apparel is showing bold leadership by being among just a few companies to include transgender people in its national ads,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “Additionally, the company's statement that 'Gay is OK' will reach millions and send an important message in support of equality.”


Congrats once again Isis for blazing another trail and doing so as always with class and dignity.  So looking forward to meeting you and giving you that big TransGriot hug when our paths finally do cross.