[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
hmmm this is a song for every girls ever
hmmm this is a song for every girls ever been through something she thought she
been through something she thought she
been through something she thought she couldn’t make it through I sing these
couldn’t make it through I sing these
couldn’t make it through I sing these words because people are scared or
words because people are scared or
words because people are scared or somewhat confused about what they don’t
somewhat confused about what they don’t
somewhat confused about what they don’t know about and it’s not to say that she
know about and it’s not to say that she
know about and it’s not to say that she caused attention to herself
caused attention to herself
caused attention to herself I’d moreso say they didn’t they didn’t
I’d moreso say they didn’t they didn’t
I’d moreso say they didn’t they didn’t know how to react or respond to her
know how to react or respond to her
know how to react or respond to her being a woman of sharing experience it
being a woman of sharing experience it
being a woman of sharing experience it was there’s a young woman named Elon
was there’s a young woman named Elon
was there’s a young woman named Elon nettles on who on August 17th was just
nettles on who on August 17th was just
nettles on who on August 17th was just walking down the street with some
walking down the street with some
walking down the street with some friends you know minding her own
friends you know minding her own
friends you know minding her own business and she was catcalled by a
business and she was catcalled by a
business and she was catcalled by a couple of guys and one of them they once
couple of guys and one of them they once
couple of guys and one of them they once they realized she was trans she was
they realized she was trans she was
they realized she was trans she was beaten into a coma and five days later
beaten into a coma and five days later
beaten into a coma and five days later she died she was one of our models and
she died she was one of our models and
she died she was one of our models and our designers in all of our shows we are
our designers in all of our shows we are
our designers in all of our shows we are very touched by this we demand justice
very touched by this we demand justice
very touched by this we demand justice we want to know what did they do with
we want to know what did they do with
we want to know what did they do with the evidence the perpetrator basically
the evidence the perpetrator basically
the evidence the perpetrator basically that way we need for just probation and
that way we need for just probation and
that way we need for just probation and you know just basically a slap on the
you know just basically a slap on the
you know just basically a slap on the wrist
wrist
wrist thank you all so much for being here the
thank you all so much for being here the
thank you all so much for being here the lawn nettles was a client of the Ali
lawn nettles was a client of the Ali
lawn nettles was a client of the Ali Forney Center if it was anybody else you
Forney Center if it was anybody else you
Forney Center if it was anybody else you know if it was like a president’s son or
know if it was like a president’s son or
know if it was like a president’s son or if it was anybody else they would have
if it was anybody else they would have
if it was anybody else they would have did more action to it it seems like
did more action to it it seems like
did more action to it it seems like because the person was of trends that
because the person was of trends that
because the person was of trends that they just threw it out they just closed
they just threw it out they just closed
they just threw it out they just closed it and said oh well
[Music]
[Music] the first thing you do when you get
the first thing you do when you get
the first thing you do when you get scared you attend to freak out and
scared you attend to freak out and
scared you attend to freak out and that’s when the abuse the hurt the anger
that’s when the abuse the hurt the anger
that’s when the abuse the hurt the anger the frustration you beat somebody
the frustration you beat somebody
the frustration you beat somebody because they’re different I think is so
because they’re different I think is so
because they’re different I think is so disgusting
we are called
we are called to the right the more that’s being done
to the right the more that’s being done
to the right the more that’s being done to educate people about trans life or
to educate people about trans life or
to educate people about trans life or more about the LGBT community it’ll be
more about the LGBT community it’ll be
more about the LGBT community it’ll be it’ll give people a different mindset or
it’ll give people a different mindset or
it’ll give people a different mindset or a different look at the way that they
a different look at the way that they
a different look at the way that they see things this can happen to one person
see things this can happen to one person
see things this can happen to one person this could happen to all this could
this could happen to all this could
this could happen to all this could happen to all of us
happen to all of us
happen to all of us I knew her myself and you know I just
I knew her myself and you know I just
I knew her myself and you know I just like it’s fucked up people getting
like it’s fucked up people getting
like it’s fucked up people getting killed for being myself we need to avoid
killed for being myself we need to avoid
killed for being myself we need to avoid these crimes by happening by educating
these crimes by happening by educating
these crimes by happening by educating our young ones thank you
we as a community we need to stick
we as a community we need to stick together so rallies are beneficial it
together so rallies are beneficial it
together so rallies are beneficial it shows how much people care
shows how much people care
shows how much people care [Music]
[Music]
[Music] this song is for you I am a healer an
this song is for you I am a healer an
this song is for you I am a healer an academic an orator I am a revolutionary
academic an orator I am a revolutionary
academic an orator I am a revolutionary I am a descendant of slaves kings and
I am a descendant of slaves kings and
I am a descendant of slaves kings and queens ripped from the shores of Africa
queens ripped from the shores of Africa
queens ripped from the shores of Africa I come from a village of freedom
I come from a village of freedom
I come from a village of freedom fighters and liberators I am goddess
fighters and liberators I am goddess
fighters and liberators I am goddess Queen sister November is transgender
Queen sister November is transgender
Queen sister November is transgender Awareness Month and in honoring
Awareness Month and in honoring
Awareness Month and in honoring reverence of those who have come before
reverence of those who have come before
reverence of those who have come before me those who have paved the way for
me those who have paved the way for
me those who have paved the way for black trans brilliance existence black
black trans brilliance existence black
black trans brilliance existence black trans revolution mother Sylvia Rivera
trans revolution mother Sylvia Rivera
trans revolution mother Sylvia Rivera Marsha P Johnson miss major Griffin may
Marsha P Johnson miss major Griffin may
Marsha P Johnson miss major Griffin may see Monica Roberts Andrea Jenkins
see Monica Roberts Andrea Jenkins
see Monica Roberts Andrea Jenkins Valerie Spencer goddess Ruby Corrado
Valerie Spencer goddess Ruby Corrado
Valerie Spencer goddess Ruby Corrado ashay 2014 marks the 45th anniversary of
ashay 2014 marks the 45th anniversary of
ashay 2014 marks the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion
the Stonewall Rebellion
the Stonewall Rebellion and while so many of us toasted it
and while so many of us toasted it
and while so many of us toasted it corporately funded parades and rooftop
corporately funded parades and rooftop
corporately funded parades and rooftop pajama parties the trans community of
pajama parties the trans community of
pajama parties the trans community of color gathered at rallies and vigils in
color gathered at rallies and vigils in
color gathered at rallies and vigils in healing circles in an attempt to pick up
healing circles in an attempt to pick up
healing circles in an attempt to pick up the shattered pieces of our lives and
the shattered pieces of our lives and
the shattered pieces of our lives and push forward to have the most
push forward to have the most
push forward to have the most transformative year in the life of any
transformative year in the life of any
transformative year in the life of any trans person of color the same year that
trans person of color the same year that
trans person of color the same year that our country boasts historical leaps
our country boasts historical leaps
our country boasts historical leaps towards LGBT equality and inclusion the
towards LGBT equality and inclusion the
towards LGBT equality and inclusion the same year that goddess Laverne Cox
same year that goddess Laverne Cox
same year that goddess Laverne Cox graced the cover of Time magazine and
graced the cover of Time magazine and
graced the cover of Time magazine and it’s named glamour Woman of the Year the
it’s named glamour Woman of the Year the
it’s named glamour Woman of the Year the same year that we see majestic images of
same year that we see majestic images of
same year that we see majestic images of folks like us in the media like Janet
folks like us in the media like Janet
folks like us in the media like Janet mock tick Milan Gina Rosero and Daniela
mock tick Milan Gina Rosero and Daniela
mock tick Milan Gina Rosero and Daniela Carter this same year in a span of less
Carter this same year in a span of less
Carter this same year in a span of less than four months ten trans women of
than four months ten trans women of
than four months ten trans women of color were brutally murdered right here
color were brutally murdered right here
color were brutally murdered right here in the United States
in the United States
in the United States tayshaun Ashley
tayshaun Ashley
tayshaun Ashley ania parker alejandro lives tiffany
ania parker alejandro lives tiffany
ania parker alejandro lives tiffany edwards candy hall
edwards candy hall
edwards candy hall loretta reyes death means sanchez maya
loretta reyes death means sanchez maya
loretta reyes death means sanchez maya henderson brittany nicole kid sturgis
henderson brittany nicole kid sturgis
henderson brittany nicole kid sturgis and the unidentified trans woman whose
and the unidentified trans woman whose
and the unidentified trans woman whose body was found in my hometown of Detroit
body was found in my hometown of Detroit
body was found in my hometown of Detroit we’ll call her goddess Detroit I sweep
we’ll call her goddess Detroit I sweep
we’ll call her goddess Detroit I sweep your names I honor you I honor the
your names I honor you I honor the
your names I honor you I honor the ultimate sacrifice that you have paid so
ultimate sacrifice that you have paid so
ultimate sacrifice that you have paid so so many of us can stand here today
so many of us can stand here today
so many of us can stand here today unapologetically unabashedly in our
unapologetically unabashedly in our
unapologetically unabashedly in our truths the average age of these women
truths the average age of these women
truths the average age of these women was less than 35 years old every breath
was less than 35 years old every breath
was less than 35 years old every breath a trans person of color takes is an act
a trans person of color takes is an act
a trans person of color takes is an act of revolution so here’s the syllabus and
of revolution so here’s the syllabus and
of revolution so here’s the syllabus and I hope you’re hungry we’re going to
I hope you’re hungry we’re going to
I hope you’re hungry we’re going to deconstruct the gender binary we’re
deconstruct the gender binary we’re
deconstruct the gender binary we’re going to talk about how structural
going to talk about how structural
going to talk about how structural oppression is in a strictly link to the
oppression is in a strictly link to the
oppression is in a strictly link to the physical violence that is taking place
physical violence that is taking place
physical violence that is taking place in our community we’re also going to
in our community we’re also going to
in our community we’re also going to talk about healing restoration
talk about healing restoration
talk about healing restoration fellowship in action for all of us but
fellowship in action for all of us but
fellowship in action for all of us but most importantly we are going to
most importantly we are going to
most importantly we are going to celebrate black and brown trans and
celebrate black and brown trans and
celebrate black and brown trans and gender non-conforming bodies identities
gender non-conforming bodies identities
gender non-conforming bodies identities narratives leadership’s and lives as
narratives leadership’s and lives as
narratives leadership’s and lives as this is transgender Awareness Month and
this is transgender Awareness Month and
this is transgender Awareness Month and today we are going beyond the curiosity
today we are going beyond the curiosity
today we are going beyond the curiosity of coming out we’re going beyond the
of coming out we’re going beyond the
of coming out we’re going beyond the curiosity of genitalia we are going
curiosity of genitalia we are going
curiosity of genitalia we are going beyond the curiosity of the packets
beyond the curiosity of the packets
beyond the curiosity of the packets package consumption of this victim
package consumption of this victim
package consumption of this victim narrative I hope you’re hungry let’s eat
narrative I hope you’re hungry let’s eat
narrative I hope you’re hungry let’s eat deconstructing the gender binary now see
deconstructing the gender binary now see
deconstructing the gender binary now see the way gender is set up we see it as
the way gender is set up we see it as
the way gender is set up we see it as either one or the other along this
either one or the other along this
either one or the other along this spectrum you’re either male you’re
spectrum you’re either male you’re
spectrum you’re either male you’re either female or you’re somewhere in
either female or you’re somewhere in
either female or you’re somewhere in between your expression is either
between your expression is either
between your expression is either masculine or feminine or somewhere in
masculine or feminine or somewhere in
masculine or feminine or somewhere in between and the way I see gender in the
between and the way I see gender in the
between and the way I see gender in the way how we all should see gender as an
way how we all should see gender as an
way how we all should see gender as an explosion of expressions an opportunity
explosion of expressions an opportunity
explosion of expressions an opportunity to flourish and self-determined not as
to flourish and self-determined not as
to flourish and self-determined not as this oppressive system that that works
this oppressive system that that works
this oppressive system that that works to keep women barefoot in the kitchen
to keep women barefoot in the kitchen
to keep women barefoot in the kitchen and Men the rulers of the universe you
and Men the rulers of the universe you
and Men the rulers of the universe you see the gender binary refers to a notion
see the gender binary refers to a notion
see the gender binary refers to a notion that gender exists in black and white
that gender exists in black and white
that gender exists in black and white either your male or female there are
either your male or female there are
either your male or female there are countless non-binary genders as well as
countless non-binary genders as well as
countless non-binary genders as well as countless combinations of genders you
countless combinations of genders you
countless combinations of genders you see from the day a baby is born the life
see from the day a baby is born the life
see from the day a baby is born the life has already be constructed from blankets
has already be constructed from blankets
has already be constructed from blankets and bonnets to strollers and booties all
and bonnets to strollers and booties all
and bonnets to strollers and booties all have been selected pink for a boy oh
have been selected pink for a boy oh
have been selected pink for a boy oh sorry
sorry
sorry pink for girl and blue for boy this
pink for girl and blue for boy this
pink for girl and blue for boy this child has been conditioned indoctrinated
child has been conditioned indoctrinated
child has been conditioned indoctrinated and even rewarded to perform within
and even rewarded to perform within
and even rewarded to perform within those roles assigned to that prescribed
those roles assigned to that prescribed
those roles assigned to that prescribed gender they’re also chastised teased
gender they’re also chastised teased
gender they’re also chastised teased punished and even murdered when their
punished and even murdered when their
punished and even murdered when their performance is deemed other trans youth
performance is deemed other trans youth
performance is deemed other trans youth are not encouraged to celebrate who they
are not encouraged to celebrate who they
are not encouraged to celebrate who they are
are
are we are not encouraged we’re not taught
we are not encouraged we’re not taught
we are not encouraged we’re not taught by society that our lives have
by society that our lives have
by society that our lives have tremendous value the video that we watch
tremendous value the video that we watch
tremendous value the video that we watch featured the featured video encapsulate
featured the featured video encapsulate
featured the featured video encapsulate how the harsh realities that trans youth
how the harsh realities that trans youth
how the harsh realities that trans youth of color face goddess Ilan Meadows I
of color face goddess Ilan Meadows I
of color face goddess Ilan Meadows I speak your name the community wrapped
speak your name the community wrapped
speak your name the community wrapped themselves around her life her memory
themselves around her life her memory
themselves around her life her memory and her mother denote Dolores nettles
and her mother denote Dolores nettles
and her mother denote Dolores nettles and that is not always the case so in
and that is not always the case so in
and that is not always the case so in this moment I want to honor the
this moment I want to honor the
this moment I want to honor the resilience of the families and friends
resilience of the families and friends
resilience of the families and friends chosen or otherwise who stand in
chosen or otherwise who stand in
chosen or otherwise who stand in solidarity with trans youth I also want
solidarity with trans youth I also want
solidarity with trans youth I also want to talk a little bit about my mom who
to talk a little bit about my mom who
to talk a little bit about my mom who could not be here today
could not be here today
could not be here today the Reverend dr. Vivian Harris Davis you
the Reverend dr. Vivian Harris Davis you
the Reverend dr. Vivian Harris Davis you know growing up in a single-parent home
know growing up in a single-parent home
know growing up in a single-parent home in Detroit with my three brothers I had
in Detroit with my three brothers I had
in Detroit with my three brothers I had no clue the implications structural
no clue the implications structural
no clue the implications structural oppression would have on my life my
oppression would have on my life my
oppression would have on my life my mother is my Shero my brothers were my
mother is my Shero my brothers were my
mother is my Shero my brothers were my protectors my mother taught me that I
protectors my mother taught me that I
protectors my mother taught me that I could be whoever I wanted to be and
could be whoever I wanted to be and
could be whoever I wanted to be and whatever I wanted to be as a matter of
whatever I wanted to be as a matter of
whatever I wanted to be as a matter of fact she challenged me every day and
fact she challenged me every day and
fact she challenged me every day and pushed me harder to strive higher to do
pushed me harder to strive higher to do
pushed me harder to strive higher to do more not just for me but for those
more not just for me but for those
more not just for me but for those around me and for those who look like me
around me and for those who look like me
around me and for those who look like me my family my community and my faith for
my family my community and my faith for
my family my community and my faith for my supportive
my supportive
my supportive networks and that allowed me to explore
networks and that allowed me to explore
networks and that allowed me to explore gender identity and expression in ways
gender identity and expression in ways
gender identity and expression in ways that I could never imagine because of my
that I could never imagine because of my
that I could never imagine because of my strong social and familial ties at 13 I
strong social and familial ties at 13 I
strong social and familial ties at 13 I was able to leave bloc club gatherings
was able to leave bloc club gatherings
was able to leave bloc club gatherings and organizing queer youth groups at UAW
and organizing queer youth groups at UAW
and organizing queer youth groups at UAW summer camp at 15 I was hosting
summer camp at 15 I was hosting
summer camp at 15 I was hosting neighborhood food banks and youth groups
neighborhood food banks and youth groups
neighborhood food banks and youth groups at my church at 17 years old I was
at my church at 17 years old I was
at my church at 17 years old I was leading braver spaces for trans and
leading braver spaces for trans and
leading braver spaces for trans and gender non-conforming youth of color to
gender non-conforming youth of color to
gender non-conforming youth of color to thrive unapologetically
thrive unapologetically
thrive unapologetically I mean seriously this was 1993 and in
I mean seriously this was 1993 and in
I mean seriously this was 1993 and in Detroit Michigan as a black trans female
Detroit Michigan as a black trans female
Detroit Michigan as a black trans female identified youth creating spaces that
identified youth creating spaces that
identified youth creating spaces that served as incubators for the development
served as incubators for the development
served as incubators for the development of radical transformative analysis and
of radical transformative analysis and
of radical transformative analysis and framework steeped in cooperative
framework steeped in cooperative
framework steeped in cooperative economics and restorative justice and
economics and restorative justice and
economics and restorative justice and like I said this was in Detroit it
like I said this was in Detroit it
like I said this was in Detroit it wasn’t until I moved to New York City on
wasn’t until I moved to New York City on
wasn’t until I moved to New York City on a one-way bus ticket and $40 in my
a one-way bus ticket and $40 in my
a one-way bus ticket and $40 in my pocket that I really began to experience
pocket that I really began to experience
pocket that I really began to experience the harsh realities navigating
the harsh realities navigating
the harsh realities navigating structural oppression as a black trans
structural oppression as a black trans
structural oppression as a black trans woman you see I had this grand idea that
woman you see I had this grand idea that
woman you see I had this grand idea that I would move to the big city and see all
I would move to the big city and see all
I would move to the big city and see all the like the big lights I will meet
the like the big lights I will meet
the like the big lights I will meet several gorgeous lovers who was stare
several gorgeous lovers who was stare
several gorgeous lovers who was stare into my eyes and tell me that I was the
into my eyes and tell me that I was the
into my eyes and tell me that I was the most beautiful girl in the world
most beautiful girl in the world
most beautiful girl in the world that was my American dream or not I had
that was my American dream or not I had
that was my American dream or not I had no idea that 47% of black trans women
no idea that 47% of black trans women
no idea that 47% of black trans women have a history of incarceration I had no
have a history of incarceration I had no
have a history of incarceration I had no idea that black trans women are 49 times
idea that black trans women are 49 times
idea that black trans women are 49 times more likely to be living with HIV you
more likely to be living with HIV you
more likely to be living with HIV you see the way structural oppression is set
see the way structural oppression is set
see the way structural oppression is set up when you are when you don’t have an
up when you are when you don’t have an
up when you are when you don’t have an income you know it makes it difficult
income you know it makes it difficult
income you know it makes it difficult for you to access health care and when
for you to access health care and when
for you to access health care and when you don’t have income or health care you
you don’t have income or health care you
you don’t have income or health care you had a greater risk of homelessness
had a greater risk of homelessness
had a greater risk of homelessness because how you gonna pay the rent when
because how you gonna pay the rent when
because how you gonna pay the rent when you ain’t got no job and so when you
you ain’t got no job and so when you
you ain’t got no job and so when you don’t have all these things and when you
don’t have all these things and when you
don’t have all these things and when you don’t have access to education it’s a
don’t have access to education it’s a
don’t have access to education it’s a vicious cycle and I found myself in this
vicious cycle and I found myself in this
vicious cycle and I found myself in this vicious cycle when I moved to New York
vicious cycle when I moved to New York
vicious cycle when I moved to New York City for 21 months I was housed in a
City for 21 months I was housed in a
City for 21 months I was housed in a men’s shelter me in a men’s shelter
men’s shelter me in a men’s shelter
men’s shelter me in a men’s shelter really with 1,000 other men on a tiny
really with 1,000 other men on a tiny
really with 1,000 other men on a tiny piece of land called Swartz Island it’s
piece of land called Swartz Island it’s
piece of land called Swartz Island it’s part of the five boroughs many people
part of the five boroughs many people
part of the five boroughs many people don’t know about it but it’s there
don’t know about it but it’s there
don’t know about it but it’s there during this 21 month ordeal I was raped
during this 21 month ordeal I was raped
during this 21 month ordeal I was raped at knifepoint I was terrified that I
at knifepoint I was terrified that I
at knifepoint I was terrified that I traded sex for safety with the security
traded sex for safety with the security
traded sex for safety with the security guards
guards
guards imagine having to use your body to
imagine having to use your body to
imagine having to use your body to negotiate and navigate your existence
negotiate and navigate your existence
negotiate and navigate your existence but see the way my faith is set up I
but see the way my faith is set up I
but see the way my faith is set up I learn that you must have vision beyond
learn that you must have vision beyond
learn that you must have vision beyond your current situation overcoming
your current situation overcoming
your current situation overcoming homelessness heightened criminalization
homelessness heightened criminalization
homelessness heightened criminalization intimate partner violence harassment and
intimate partner violence harassment and
intimate partner violence harassment and discrimination made me who I am don’t
discrimination made me who I am don’t
discrimination made me who I am don’t cry for me I am no victim these
cry for me I am no victim these
cry for me I am no victim these experiences enable me to ensure that
experiences enable me to ensure that
experiences enable me to ensure that transfer were at the table when it came
transfer were at the table when it came
transfer were at the table when it came time to matters that impacted our lives
time to matters that impacted our lives
time to matters that impacted our lives from being instrumental in writing the
from being instrumental in writing the
from being instrumental in writing the patrol manual and training guides for
patrol manual and training guides for
patrol manual and training guides for the cadets and officers at the NYPD to
the cadets and officers at the NYPD to
the cadets and officers at the NYPD to making sure that trans fold had folk had
making sure that trans fold had folk had
making sure that trans fold had folk had access to appropriate shelter
access to appropriate shelter
access to appropriate shelter accommodations as well as actual access
accommodations as well as actual access
accommodations as well as actual access to social services and government
to social services and government
to social services and government agencies this chart also shows how crook
agencies this chart also shows how crook
agencies this chart also shows how crook the criminal justice system is stacked
the criminal justice system is stacked
the criminal justice system is stacked up against the lives of trans people of
up against the lives of trans people of
up against the lives of trans people of color the criminalization of trans
color the criminalization of trans
color the criminalization of trans people of color works in many ways when
people of color works in many ways when
people of color works in many ways when you don’t have identification that
you don’t have identification that
you don’t have identification that reflects your true identity then you’re
reflects your true identity then you’re
reflects your true identity then you’re made a target it’s difficult when you’re
made a target it’s difficult when you’re
made a target it’s difficult when you’re accessing restrooms even to buy a pack
accessing restrooms even to buy a pack
accessing restrooms even to buy a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of patron my
of cigarettes or a bottle of patron my
of cigarettes or a bottle of patron my favorite drink having to pull out your
favorite drink having to pull out your
favorite drink having to pull out your identification and your identification
identification and your identification
identification and your identification does not match who you are can really
does not match who you are can really
does not match who you are can really impact how you’re seen in society and
impact how you’re seen in society and
impact how you’re seen in society and also place you at a heightened risk for
also place you at a heightened risk for
also place you at a heightened risk for criminalization and this chart
criminalization and this chart
criminalization and this chart demonstrates that effectively I also
demonstrates that effectively I also
demonstrates that effectively I also want to talk about access the
want to talk about access the
want to talk about access the educational opportunity and also the
educational opportunity and also the
educational opportunity and also the unwavering support of my family that has
unwavering support of my family that has
unwavering support of my family that has enabled me to stand here today as the
enabled me to stand here today as the
enabled me to stand here today as the co-founder and national director of
co-founder and national director of
co-founder and national director of trans women of color collective a
trans women of color collective a
trans women of color collective a grassroots member Lee
grassroots member Lee
grassroots member Lee and funded organizing initiative that
and funded organizing initiative that
and funded organizing initiative that works to uplift the live narratives the
works to uplift the live narratives the
works to uplift the live narratives the experiences and leadership of trans
experiences and leadership of trans
experiences and leadership of trans people of color also during my time in
people of color also during my time in
people of color also during my time in New York City I happen to obtain a
New York City I happen to obtain a
New York City I happen to obtain a bachelor’s degree in social theory
bachelor’s degree in social theory
bachelor’s degree in social theory structure and change with concentrations
structure and change with concentrations
structure and change with concentrations and race class and gender studies I also
and race class and gender studies I also
and race class and gender studies I also happen to pick up an executive level
happen to pick up an executive level
happen to pick up an executive level master’s degree in public administration
master’s degree in public administration
master’s degree in public administration so allow me at a time to brush my
so allow me at a time to brush my
so allow me at a time to brush my shoulders transformative color
shoulders transformative color
shoulders transformative color collective which were created out of the
collective which were created out of the
collective which were created out of the need for healing restoration fellowship
need for healing restoration fellowship
need for healing restoration fellowship and action we came together together
and action we came together together
and action we came together together after the brutal murder of a lawn
after the brutal murder of a lawn
after the brutal murder of a lawn nettles you seen historically trans
nettles you seen historically trans
nettles you seen historically trans women of color have been the catalyst of
women of color have been the catalyst of
women of color have been the catalyst of change and social justice movements
change and social justice movements
change and social justice movements historically we have been discarded and
historically we have been discarded and
historically we have been discarded and counted out left behind by many who are
counted out left behind by many who are
counted out left behind by many who are trusted with our care we are
trusted with our care we are
trusted with our care we are disproportionately impacted by
disproportionately impacted by
disproportionately impacted by underemployment under house and enforce
underemployment under house and enforce
underemployment under house and enforce the armed navigate these systems of
the armed navigate these systems of
the armed navigate these systems of oppression these are the 13 women who
oppression these are the 13 women who
oppression these are the 13 women who came together after a lawn nettles vigil
came together after a lawn nettles vigil
came together after a lawn nettles vigil there’s Janet mock and Laverne Cox this
there’s Janet mock and Laverne Cox this
there’s Janet mock and Laverne Cox this Daniela Carter and there’s many women
Daniela Carter and there’s many women
Daniela Carter and there’s many women who came together
who came together
who came together Nalla Simone Coco Jones these trans
Nalla Simone Coco Jones these trans
Nalla Simone Coco Jones these trans women of color setting the tone living
women of color setting the tone living
women of color setting the tone living unapologetically in their truths and in
unapologetically in their truths and in
unapologetically in their truths and in spite the obstacles we face as trans
spite the obstacles we face as trans
spite the obstacles we face as trans women of color we are resourceful
women of color we are resourceful
women of color we are resourceful educated resilient and quite capable of
educated resilient and quite capable of
educated resilient and quite capable of leading our movement as a matter of fact
leading our movement as a matter of fact
leading our movement as a matter of fact we must lead our movement it is our
we must lead our movement it is our
we must lead our movement it is our destiny and August we launched the black
destiny and August we launched the black
destiny and August we launched the black trans revolution tour which consisted of
trans revolution tour which consisted of
trans revolution tour which consisted of call to actions that spanned the
call to actions that spanned the
call to actions that spanned the Northeast region in Baltimore Maryland
Northeast region in Baltimore Maryland
Northeast region in Baltimore Maryland were the murders of Maya Henderson and
were the murders of Maya Henderson and
were the murders of Maya Henderson and kandi Hall took place we have a call to
kandi Hall took place we have a call to
kandi Hall took place we have a call to action at John Hopkins University during
action at John Hopkins University during
action at John Hopkins University during the making money for our movements
the making money for our movements
the making money for our movements conference we organized with local with
conference we organized with local with
conference we organized with local with the local trans community pioneer Monica
the local trans community pioneer Monica
the local trans community pioneer Monica Stevens joined us as leaders from across
Stevens joined us as leaders from across
Stevens joined us as leaders from across the country Angelica Ross Nicole GoM’s
the country Angelica Ross Nicole GoM’s
the country Angelica Ross Nicole GoM’s ISA NOLA Shella Marie Coleman who led
ISA NOLA Shella Marie Coleman who led
ISA NOLA Shella Marie Coleman who led charge that our lives matter we have
charge that our lives matter we have
charge that our lives matter we have calls to actions in Pittsburgh North
calls to actions in Pittsburgh North
calls to actions in Pittsburgh North Carolina Boston and we and our sisters
Carolina Boston and we and our sisters
Carolina Boston and we and our sisters from t walk Ohio joined in the Freedom
from t walk Ohio joined in the Freedom
from t walk Ohio joined in the Freedom Fighters in Ferguson Missouri we have
Fighters in Ferguson Missouri we have
Fighters in Ferguson Missouri we have caught two actions in New York City as
caught two actions in New York City as
caught two actions in New York City as well on the one-year anniversary of a
well on the one-year anniversary of a
well on the one-year anniversary of a law and nettles murder her murderer
law and nettles murder her murderer
law and nettles murder her murderer still walks the streets today 2014 has
still walks the streets today 2014 has
still walks the streets today 2014 has been a transformative year for the trans
been a transformative year for the trans
been a transformative year for the trans women of color collective we launched
women of color collective we launched
women of color collective we launched launched chapters in Ohio we live for
launched chapters in Ohio we live for
launched chapters in Ohio we live for revolutionary juice the trans women of
revolutionary juice the trans women of
revolutionary juice the trans women of color collective in Ohio is run by four
color collective in Ohio is run by four
color collective in Ohio is run by four revolutionary youth Cherno Beco aaron
revolutionary youth Cherno Beco aaron
revolutionary youth Cherno Beco aaron lang ripley bennett and el Hearns and
lang ripley bennett and el Hearns and
lang ripley bennett and el Hearns and new orleans we launched the transfer
new orleans we launched the transfer
new orleans we launched the transfer women of color collective that is led by
women of color collective that is led by
women of color collective that is led by our revolutionary youth goddess Milan
our revolutionary youth goddess Milan
our revolutionary youth goddess Milan Nicole sherry and larae Ellis and we
Nicole sherry and larae Ellis and we
Nicole sherry and larae Ellis and we also launched our national headquarters
also launched our national headquarters
also launched our national headquarters in Washington DC our black trans
in Washington DC our black trans
in Washington DC our black trans revolution youth leadership summit was
revolution youth leadership summit was
revolution youth leadership summit was held three weeks ago in Pittsburgh in
held three weeks ago in Pittsburgh in
held three weeks ago in Pittsburgh in collaboration with the garden a peace
collaboration with the garden a peace
collaboration with the garden a peace project led by Michael David battle in
project led by Michael David battle in
project led by Michael David battle in less than one month we raised over
less than one month we raised over
less than one month we raised over $20,000 to host 25 trans and gender
$20,000 to host 25 trans and gender
$20,000 to host 25 trans and gender non-conforming youth of color to
non-conforming youth of color to
non-conforming youth of color to participate in a four day intensive
participate in a four day intensive
participate in a four day intensive leadership retreat black trans
leadership retreat black trans
leadership retreat black trans revolution was born out of the lack of
revolution was born out of the lack of
revolution was born out of the lack of resources intentional space lack of
resources intentional space lack of
resources intentional space lack of accountability funding and meaningful
accountability funding and meaningful
accountability funding and meaningful investment in the lives of black trans
investment in the lives of black trans
investment in the lives of black trans individuals our leadership development
individuals our leadership development
individuals our leadership development and the issues that disproportionately
and the issues that disproportionately
and the issues that disproportionately impact our lives historically queer
impact our lives historically queer
impact our lives historically queer spaces and organizations have been
spaces and organizations have been
spaces and organizations have been dominated by sis white gay lesbian focus
dominated by sis white gay lesbian focus
dominated by sis white gay lesbian focus this systemic operation has led to the
this systemic operation has led to the
this systemic operation has led to the unbalanced national LGBT policy and
unbalanced national LGBT policy and
unbalanced national LGBT policy and legislation of platform the disregards
legislation of platform the disregards
legislation of platform the disregards our leadership and our lives as white
our leadership and our lives as white
our leadership and our lives as white queer led organizations continue to reap
queer led organizations continue to reap
queer led organizations continue to reap the benefits grants and funds directed
the benefits grants and funds directed
the benefits grants and funds directed at black trans people there has been no
at black trans people there has been no
at black trans people there has been no intentional pathways or pipelines that
intentional pathways or pipelines that
intentional pathways or pipelines that are created for black trans people to
are created for black trans people to
are created for black trans people to move
move
move imperative racial economic and social
imperative racial economic and social
imperative racial economic and social justice work that is needed to transform
justice work that is needed to transform
justice work that is needed to transform our communities just last week we held a
our communities just last week we held a
our communities just last week we held a retreat in Columbus Ohio Columbus Ohio
retreat in Columbus Ohio Columbus Ohio
retreat in Columbus Ohio Columbus Ohio is the epicenter of violence in our
is the epicenter of violence in our
is the epicenter of violence in our community for trans women of color were
community for trans women of color were
community for trans women of color were murdered there in one year
murdered there in one year
murdered there in one year betty skinner brittany nicole Kidd
betty skinner brittany nicole Kidd
betty skinner brittany nicole Kidd Sturgis Tiffany Edwards and samaya dove
Sturgis Tiffany Edwards and samaya dove
Sturgis Tiffany Edwards and samaya dove I speak your name now more than ever
I speak your name now more than ever
I speak your name now more than ever young black trans people and our
young black trans people and our
young black trans people and our families our communities desire to heal
families our communities desire to heal
families our communities desire to heal from the collective trauma restore our
from the collective trauma restore our
from the collective trauma restore our leadership and legacy and be wrapped in
leadership and legacy and be wrapped in
leadership and legacy and be wrapped in the fellowship with folks like us to
the fellowship with folks like us to
the fellowship with folks like us to move to action to create the sustainable
move to action to create the sustainable
move to action to create the sustainable revolutionary change in our lives and in
revolutionary change in our lives and in
revolutionary change in our lives and in our communities we are the change we
our communities we are the change we
our communities we are the change we seek and the revolutionary words of
seek and the revolutionary words of
seek and the revolutionary words of Isana secure it is our duty to fight
Isana secure it is our duty to fight
Isana secure it is our duty to fight this is where you repeat it it is our
this is where you repeat it it is our
this is where you repeat it it is our duty to win we must love each other and
duty to win we must love each other and
duty to win we must love each other and protect each other
now let me hear the bass in your voice
now let me hear the bass in your voice it is our duty to fight it is our duty
it is our duty to fight it is our duty
it is our duty to fight it is our duty to win we must love each other and
to win we must love each other and
to win we must love each other and protect each other
thank you so much Middlebury
thank you so much Middlebury [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment