Black Trans* Women's Lives Matter

  L.A. LIVE 4 Black Trans* LIVES        L.A. Black trans* community organizers, in solidarity with Black Lives Matter ​ National Team’s ‘Trans Liberation Tuesday’ emergency call to action, invite you to this local rally and action entitled 'L.A. LIVE 4 Black Trans* LIVES' which is in response to the escalating murders of Black trans* women in the U.S.. Time/Locations : Tuesday, August 25th. 6-8pm. 6:00pm: Convene at corner of Pico/Figueroa - 6:30pm: Sharing/testimonials – 7:00pm: RALLY at the entrance of L.A. LIVE highlighting Black trans* women and Black trans* femme speakers. Followed by a march and an action In collaboration with Black Trans* Women's Lives Matter , Black Lives Matter: Los Angeles , Familia: TQLM , Gender Justice LA, LAQR and local transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming community members/advocates, and supported by LGBQ and non-trans straight allies, this demonstration centers on the plight of Black trans* women’s...

A Brooklyn man named James Dixon was arrested earlier today for the 2013 murder in Harlem of Islan Nettles, a 21 year-old Black woman of trans experience.   Dixon, 24, has been indicted for both manslaughter and felony assault, and pled not guilty during today’s arraignment. However, Dixon’s not guilty plea is in complete contrast to his *written* and *video*confession of the crime he gave nearly two years ago. On August 21, 2013, just days after the attack, Dixon voluntarily turned himself in to the authorities and gave his admission of guilt statements to officers of the 32nd Precinct. Shockingly, he was still  released from custody and has been at large up until today’s arrest. On August 17, 2013, Islan Nettles and her girlfriends were walking near Frederick Douglas Blvd and West 148th St in Harlem. A few men approached the women, including Dixon and his friend Paris Wilson, and soon began hurling transphobic and misogynistic words at Nett...

Following the tragic murder last week in New Orleans of a 21 year old Black trans woman named Penny Proud , noted NYC trans advocate Kristen Parker quickly responded with a moving video commentary which was so unedited and emotionally powerful that it quickly went viral in many trans and ally circles.   Kristen is 33, from the Bronx and is currently the Program Coordinator of MCCNY’s Trans in Action. Towards the beginning of Kristen’s near five minute long video she exclaims, “ We are human, we are here! There is nothing that you can do that is going to change the fact that I exist…There is nothing that you can do at this point that can stifle our voice. You can take one of us away and ten more will come! ” Throughout the video Kristen reiterated her disdain for the double standard often seen in some non-trans African American individuals (including some Black churches, many hip hop lyrics, online comments sections, Black national/local non-profits and some racia...

 Black Trans Women's Lives Matter organizer Ashley Love congratulating actor David Oyelowo for his exemplary performance as Martin Luther King in 'Selma' during the post-Golden Globes festivities   Nominate to Discriminate by Ashley Love     (An Open Letter Poem to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Regarding Their Problematic Oscar Nominations)     T he Academy’s Oscar actor nominations are all white this year What is it about Black, Brown and Yellow that you fear? David Oyelowo’s performance in Selma is the cream of the crop 'Selma' director Ava DuVernay's talent shines brightly on top   Yet your primarily all white male jury has shut them out Seriously?   What are these "choices" truly about? Is it studio politics, money related or a slap in the face? Whatever the reasons, your actions are a total disgrace   Nominations were announced on Martin Luther...