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BLACK TRANS WOMEN MATTER

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This year has been a taxing year on many of us. Globally and personally, the events of this year have really broke my soul but also ignited a passion in me. I have always stood up for those whose voices tended to be drowned out, however for a couple of years I was unable to due to my own mental health. Now that I am in a better place to advocate for myself, my next step is to use that same renewed power for those same voices still being marginalized today. 

My resolution this year was to be intentional and with my birthday coming up during Pride month and considering the climate of this country right now, I thought I would use my voice and my day to uplift a community that needs the light right now. 

Black Lives absolutely Matter, however if that is not inclusive of Black Trans Lives, your fight is incomplete. In my search to find an organization I'd like to support, I came upon Ceyenne Doroshow's organization G.L.I.T.S. (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society) which is a grassroots organization dedicated to overcoming the violence against the transgender community from all ends, whether through human rights policies and/or outreach for immediate relief for members in the NY area, specifically. More details of what they do can be found on their official page (glitsinc.org). 

In the recent months, the organization has helped five Black trans folks find housing and stability after being released from Rikers Island. Prison reform and post-prison reform back into society is crucial and not talked about enough. I love the immediate relief that this organization provides for Black trans folks. 

At first, my hopes were to use this fund to help the organization’s most recent project on raising $1M in an effort to sign the lease on two buildings that will be a safe housing relief for Black trans folks being released from Rikers while the founder Ceyenne Doroshow helps find more permanent placings and opportunities for them. I am happy to announce that their goal was met this past weekend as I was setting up this fund. While they have met their goal for this specific project, I still believe in the work Ceyenne is doing and I believe any money we are able to raise will be put to good use to provide immediate and safe housing for members of the community. 

Considering the recent deaths of Riah Milton and Dominique Fells, the horrors of Rikers Islands especially on Black trans folks, the lack of exposure when it comes to Black trans death and the horrifying repeal of the Tr*mp administration on healthcare rights for trans folks--this wasn't a hard decision. I hope that you honor my birthday, the memory of Riah and Dominique and especially do what you can to SAVE Black trans lives, so we don't have to cry for their names to be heard after. Please donate, together I believe we can make a real difference.

*I did not create or take ownership over the artwork for this page. The artist is @paul.tuller on Instagram.*

The fund will be open until June 26th.

Organizer

Janki Patel
Organizer
Woodside, NY

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