In the 1960s, it was illegal to be homosexual. Now, same-sex marriage has been legalized, and the Supreme Court recently upheld workplace protections against discrimination based on sex or gender identity, allowing more LGBTQI folks to be their authentic selves at home and at work. This is progress.
However, the fight is far from over.
In the midst of a public health crisis, the Trump administration is rolling back discrimination protections in health care. Black trans women, who face an increased risk of violence, are still being murdered at alarming rates, including Riah Milton in Ohio and Dominique “Rem’Mie” Fells in Pennsylvania on June 9. People across the country have raised their collective voices in support of Black Lives Matter — we must demonstrate that same support for the Black trans community.
We have a lot of work to do to dismantle internal biases and to dismantle systems of oppression that uphold heteronormative systems and white supremacy. Being an ally is not only doing the work at home by having open, difficult conversations, but also showing support where it has a huge impact: in our community, at the office, in the streets, and at the ballot box.
Join the fight.
Team Tom
