"Can I live?"Â A Call for Sanctuary Spaces, March 5th, 12pm

Black transgender women and gender non-conforming youth of color face disproportionately high rates of violence and murder. At least seven trans people have been murdered so far in 2017, with the last three happening in Louisiana- Ciara McElveen (24 years old) and Chyna Gibson (31 years old) in New Orleans and Jaquarrius Holland (18 years old) in Monroe, Louisiana.

We are already on track to surpass the number of transgender people murdered this year. Last year was the most violent year on record for transgender people, with 27 murders of nearly all transgender women of color.

BreakOUT! and our membership are simply asking for what we deserve, including for others to recognize the inherent humanity in all of us. BreakOUT! members are determined not to live in fear, but are also asking the simple question, “Can I live?” During this political climate, we have so much work to do and so much to fight for. And yet we continue to have to fight for our mere survival.

In response, BreakOUT! and our communities are coming together to develop strategies for community safety and to heal from centuries of violence. In the past, we have called for jobs, housing, education, and access to space in New Orleans to keep transgender and gender non-conforming youth of color safe.

But we continue to see money poured into marketing strategies by the City of New Orleans to tout New Orleans as a welcoming city or increased policing during Mardi Gras with resources that could better be spent on actually making our city safer for transgender and gender non-conforming youth of color. We need to do more than promote our city as a sanctuary- we need to actually invest in those strategies that truly will keep us safe.

Justice for Black transgender women and gender non-conforming youth of color does not begin or end with the police but is a larger conversation of resources, access to spaces where our bodies and existences are not constantly targeted, and educating community members. We need alternative strategies for safety that don’t rely on state systems.

Examples include calling a friend if you’re out late at night, letting them know where you are going and that you will text them when you get home. Seek refuge in safe spaces that already exist in New Orleans, such as the BreakOUT! office (open weekdays, 9-5pm), and getting trained on self-defense and de-escalation. BreakOUT! also has a Street Safety Guide for knowing your rights with the police and offers trainings to community providers on becoming more LGBTQ-affirming. Support trans-led organizations and groups making structural changes that will truly improve trans lives.

Showing up in solidarity for one another and being a visible force in our communities can also help increase our safety.

To that end, BreakOUT! invites you to come to S. Claiborne Ave. and Bayou Rd. on Sunday, March 5th at 12pm for healing and resistance together.

HEAL. RESIST.
SAY HER NAME.
BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER.