Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network Fund
What the funds are for:
This fundraiser replenishes funds for the Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network in Washington State. This network is led by Trans people of color and advances the lives of Trans Women, Femmes, Two-Spirit and people of color living in Washington State by ensuring basic needs are met.
Background / Call to Action:
"Trans women and femmes of color are still fighting for the same things as in 1969: freedom from daily criminalization, police brutality, racist & anti-trans violence, discrimination in employment, housing and healthcare...fighting for the right to live and flourish and bloom." - Micah Bazant.
The TWOC Solidarity Network upholds the self determination of Two-Spirit, Trans Women and Femmes of color and creates opportunities to exercise collective and community care. The fund is one element of how we are confronting the systematic economic disempowerment and violence that Two-Spirit, Trans Women and Femmes of Color face in our region. We know unrestricted financial resources can really make a difference and we believe that the resources already exist in our community to support TWOC to survive and thrive.
Since we opened in the fall of 2018, we've distributed over $25,000 directly to TWOC in our community. Our goal this week is to replenish the fund by reaching $40,000.
Why we’re launching on Trans Day of Remembrance:
We know Two-Spirit, Trans Women and Femmes of Color face horrifying levels of criminalization, discrimination, and overt interpersonal and state violence all over the world. While more attention is being paid to this dire reality— we are inviting our community to go beyond the rhetoric of supporting TWOC to take real actions that alter the actual realities of our community members. This fundraiser offers an opportunity for those of us with financial resources to spare to put our money where our mouths are! Let’s support living Two-Spirit, Trans Women and Femmes of Color while also fighting like hell so we don’t have to keep mourning the loss of trans lives (esp our Black and Indigenous community members).
How the funds are distributed:
Community members can contact the network via facebook or email ([email redacted]) with requests for up to $250 per month. Our fund has been closed for a few months because we've been trying to figure out a way to make the network more sustainable. We want to reopen the fund in April, especially so we can support TWOC who are suffering due to the COVID-19 crisis. We are intentionally challenging gatekeeping models and will not ask for a justification as to why someone is requesting funds because we trust people to know what they need. As such, we will give money as requested until the fund needs to be replenished.
Long-term goals:
In the long-run, we want to set up a monthly giving project so the fund is sustained and readily accessible as needs arise in community. We will also establish a housing network that will have an organized list of rooms that are available when our community members are facing housing instability. We will also provide opportunities ranging from community meals for 2STPOC to dance parties for community to connect, support each other and build the network out. We will also support anyone who is interested to host their own fundraisers for the fund on occasions like birthdays, trans affirming surgeries, etc.
Photo credit: Amir Khadar "We Keep Each Other Safe"
Blessings and gratitude to everyone for helping us to make a Solidarity Network that works! Please help spread the word!
