Leaders Gather in Chicago to Address Violence Against Transgender Community

On March 27-28, transgender and gender nonconforming leaders from across the country will gather in Chicago to connect across regions, share solutions and build upon national strategies that address the physical and structural violence transgender communities face daily.

"Last year, 12 trans women of color were (reported) brutally murdered in a six-month time-span as our nation's largest LGBT organizations celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion now known as PRIDE," said Lourdes Hunter of the Trans Women of Color Collective. "This year, there have been at least eight (reported) murders of trans women of color and six (reported) deaths by suicide of trans youth. Now more than ever, our communities are in need of healing, fellowship, to be held and to come together to address the physical and structural violence we face every day."

The two-day National Trans Anti-Violence Convening, organized by Transgender Law Center in partnership with Trans Women of Color Collective, Tennessee Trans Journey Project, TransJustice of the Audre Lorde Project, and INCITE!, is the first national gathering of its kind to facilitate a multi-regional conversation between local transgender advocates on violence.

Over 100 leaders from 21 states will participate in the National Trans Anti-Violence Convening. The convening is happening in conjunction and with the support of INCITE!'s Color of Violence conference, a major national conference focused this year on building the work to end violence beyond the state.

"There are very few organizations run by transgender women of color, so for us doing this work in the South, this opportunity to gather and strategize with other trans women of color leaders from across the country is vital," added LaSaia Wade of the Tennessee Trans Journey Project (TNTJ Project. "As a movement and as a community, we are a powerhouse and we are here to bring in the future of freedom, equality, and life."

"This country needs to recognize that there is crisis of violence against transgender women of color, and that in order to create change, we must support the voices and solutions brought by local advocates who for years have endured the brunt of this violence and led the fight for justice," said Kris Hayashi, Executive Director of Transgender Law Center. "We hope this convening provides an opportunity to continue national conversations that center the leadership of trans women of color."

The Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. For more information, visit www.TransgenderLawCenter.org.

The Tennessee Trans Journey Project (TNTJ Project) is an organization that shines a light on inequalities suffered by the transgender community, including barriers to health care, discriminatory hiring practices, violence and assault. For more information, visit www.tntjproject.org.

The Trans Women of Color Collective works to create revolutionary change by uplifting the narratives, leadership and lived experiences of trans and gender non-conforming people of color. For more information, visit www.twocc.us

TransJustice of the Audre Lorde Project is a political group created by and for Trans and Gender Non-conforming people of color. TransJustice works to mobilize its communities and allies into action on the pressing political issues they face, including gaining access to jobs, housing, and education; the need for Trans-sensitive healthcare, HIV-related services, and job-training programs; resisting police, government and anti-immigrant violence. The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color center for community organizing, focusing on the New York City area. For more information, visit alp.org/node/37.