Designed by greer x for GLITS
Dear QA Network,
First a content warning: the following message contains references to violence against Black and Latinx trans women. We encourage everyone, but especially Black and Latinx trans folks, to take good care of yourself at this time. Engage with this as is healthy for you.
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In the last two months we have seen the murder of 13 trans people in this country.
On May 31st we lost Selena Reyes-Hernandez a 37-year-old Latinx transgender woman.
On June 9th we lost Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells, a 27-year-old Black transgender woman.
One June 9th we also lost Riah Milton, a 25-year-old Black transgender woman.
On June 13th we lost Brian "Egypt" Powers, a 43-year-old Black transgender person.
On June 25th we lost Brayla Stone, a 17-year old Black transgender girl.
On June 30th we lost Merci Mack, a 22-year old Black transgender woman.
On July 1st we lost Shaki Peters, a 32-year old Black transgender woman.
On July 3rd we lost Bree Black, a 27-year old Black transgender woman.
On July 4th we lost Summer Taylor, a 24-year old white non-binary person.
On July 13th we lost Marilyn Monroe Cazares, a 22-year old Latinx transgender woman.
On July 26th we lost Tiffany Harris, a 32-year old Black transgender woman.
On July 27th we lost Queasha D Hardy, a 22-year old Black transgender woman.
On July 29th we lost Aja Raquell, a 32-year old Black transgender woman.
This brings the total number of trans people killed this year to 26 (that we know of) — on pace to be by far the deadliest year for trans people in recent memory. It is critical to observe that 10 of the 13 names above are Black transgender women. That the vast majority of the trans lives lost this year have been Black trans folks.
At a time when we are inundated daily with more numbers than we can comprehend, it is easy to become numb to their meaning. To stop emotionally engaging with what each number means. I invite you to take a moment to really sit with the list of names above. To consider that each name was a person, with friends and lovers, outfits they loved and foods they hated. That the majority of these people were taken from this world before the age of 35. And that we failed to protect each of them. That they died while we stay living.
Who, exactly, is meant by "we"? Who else is feeling this loss? Who feels accountable for the 26 lives of trans people lost this year? Who is taking this personally? Who is invested in realizing a world in which Black trans people can not only survive, but live lives of fullness, rest, and ease? Who is with us?
Showing up for Black trans lives is an lifelong commitment. One that will not end with the summer or the year. And one that requires sincere commitment to moving through messiness, to sacrificing privilege and comfort, and to putting in work for years to come. If you are interested in investing in this work, below are a couple suggestions for ways to plug-in.
For people in the NYC area:
This evening (07/31) at 6pm EST, there is a Rally Against Trans Violence at The Christopher St. Piers, organized by STARR, NYTAG, National Action Network, and Princess Janae Place.
Tomorrow afternoon (08/01) at 3pm EST, there is a Memorial for Tiffany Harris at St. James Park in The Bronx.
For people in the LA area:
Tomorrow afternoon (08/01) at 6:30pm PST, a march is being organized by Marilyn Monroe Cazares' family, starting in front of the building where her body was found and going to the Brawley Police Department.
For those unable to attend any of these events (or others in your area), I encourage you to donate to the fundraiser for Merci Mack's Family organized by Queer|Art and GLITS. If you're unable to donate at this time, consider sharing with your networks or on social media.
In addition to that fundraiser, I invite you to look at our list of organizations and initiatives to support Black Trans Futures, which features both fundraisers to support the immediate needs of Black trans people and organizations to make recurring donations to which elevate Black trans lives.
solidarity and rage,
Travis, Rio, and greer