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#TRANSLIVESMATTER


 I have existed in a part of the world where there was need for a Queer People of Color community. This community was my safe space in downtown Winnipeg a few Saturdays a month when we would meet for laughter, drinks and sharing. Honestly (and I am ashamed to admit), the trans degrading remarks made on Winnipeg’s radio station on the 16th would have not hit me as hard from anywhere else.  

I am a queer African woman with almost no authority on transgender issues. Therefore, I write this article for Miraj. Miraj and I met on Facebook. At that time, I was searching for a community of people like me and I found a Ugandan raised Trinidadian. We talked for a week and decided to meet up for a hookah session and some stories. Our friendship had already gained foundation when she told me her assigned gender at birth had been male. The reality of trans lives had never been as clear to me as at that moment.

At that moment, I understood why she waited until nobody was looking to use a public restroom. I understood why outdoor spaces were anxiety triggers for her. I understood the weekly trips to the Klinic and I finally understood why my assurance that she was beautiful, loved and appreciated everyday was important to her. The T in LGBTQ+ meant more to me since that day. it was her pain I felt when I saw the banners on the London march organized by ‘lesbians’ demanding that transgender persons not claim the lesbian sexual identity and the news that Monday afternoon. This was followed by a Facebook post forwarded to me of a lesbian identifying user ranting about reserving their right not to respect transgender persons.

This is my stand: Transgender persons are valid. Their lives matter. I believe that their process is valid. I believe that they are part of my community. I believe that their rights to privacy, decency, life, and recognition should be accorded to them. I believe that the T is relevant. I am sending a pulse of love to all the transgender persons at whatever stages of their transitions, at whatever stage of coming out, in whatever part of the world, in whatever space they take up or not take up. I send a pulse of encouragement, acceptance, and recognition. From my queer heart to yours.

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