Black Trans* Women's Lives Matter

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...

Today is the annual Trans Day of Remembrance, where we honor the many transsexual, transgender or gender non-conforming people who lost their lives to violence. The high majority of trans* people murdered each year are Black and Latina women of transsexual experience. We at Black Trans* Women's Lives Matter are sending warmth and love to all those who have lost a loved one due to male violence, transphobia and bigotry. Please light a candle today to honor those we have lost and to shine a light on this epidemic so that things will get better.  (photo credit Tyler Grigsby). During Black Trans* Women's Lives matter vigil and national call for peace in Washington DC    Our Light will wipe out all darkness. Our Love will overcome all hate. Our Determination Forward will surpass all backwardness  Our Hope for Change will overwhelm all fear based thinking and actions Our Acts of Compassion will outnumber acts of viol...

Black Trans* Women’s Lives Matter Vigil and ‘ Call for Peace ’ @   Congressional Black Caucus Conference WHAT: Black Trans* Women’s Lives Matter is holding a vigil and ‘call for peace’ outside the Congressional Black Caucus Conference to honor the Black and Latina women murdered in 2014 and to draw attention to this ongoing epidemic. WHEN: Saturday, September 27 th from 4:00pm to 5:30pm WHERE: Outside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C. ABOUT: Black Trans* Women’s Lives Matter , a national call for peace, is a social justice campaign drawing attention to America’s epidemic of male violence and hate crime murders targeting African American young girls and women in the transsexual and transgender communities. We aim to defend our sisters from the misogynistic, transphobic and racist forces that fuel our oppression and to challenge the discriminatory laws and unjust courts that often fail us. We seek solidarity and authentic s...