December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 — In This Issue——————— Stiletto 3 Good News

7 & the Movement for Black Lives Current Events

8 Trans Liberation Tuesday

9 Justice for Jennifer Laude

10 L etters from the Inside

12 Pelican Bay Hunger Strike

12 Agreement to End Hostilities

13 Trans Sex in the City

13 Profile of trans entrepeneur Martine Rothblatt

14 TGI JUSTICE PROJECT says NO NEW JAIL IN SF

15 Ashley Diamond released from Georgia prison

16 Oakland Power Projects

17 The Intersex Basics

17 Legal Updates

18 Ally Updates LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT I want to thank you all for working with me and being part of the transitions and changes we’ve Ally Updates (Continued) gone through at TGIJP over the years. And I want to be placed in housing that is more appro- to assure you that while I’m stepping down as Hearts on a Wire priate for their gender identity and instructs Executive Director, my mouth is not stepping Check it out! New commissary policies in PA prison staff to give “serious consideration” down and I will continue to bitch and let people prisons! to people’s views as to their housing prefer- know what my community is going through. It’s Hearts on a Wire welcomes the announce- ences. The rules also state that housing should difficult living in our truth, but what better way to ment of the Pennsylvania Department of be re-assessed every 6 months, that all trans- survive? It’s important that we survive; we’ve got Corrections that it has revised its policies with gender and intersex people should be allowed to come out on top. Please continue to support regard to the housing and resources available to shower privately and that staff must treat and back up Janetta for taking on the responsibil- to people in Pennsylvania state prisons who LGBTGNCI people respectfully. These policies ity of taking TGIJP into the next phase. Wish her identify as . As of June 30, 2015, go into effect on September 21, 2015. well and help her prosper. Be safe and stay strong. new commissary lists are available to trans- While we congratulate our members on this - Miss Major Griffin-Gracy gender people that offer gender-specific items victory, Hearts on a Wire reaffirms our com- that were previously viewed as contraband, mitment to end the policing and imprisonment I remember it as if it was yesterday: I was having a few conversations with Miss Major and describ- including undergarments and cosmetics. The of trans and gender variant communities. We ing to her my struggles and disfranchisement and disparities that I felt that I was facing living in prohibition on gender-specific items has been know that the liberation of our communities Florida. I asked her If she would be willing to help if I moved to to create a better an issue of serious concern to Hearts on a will not arrive through policy, but through quality of living and she said “Sure baby, no problem. I’ll see you when you get here.” I think she Wire members. The outside collective gath- our collective empowerment. As our member was really surprised when I showed up 2 weeks later at her work. ered hundreds of signatures in support of a Adrian Lowe explains, “We need to find new She’s been my mother and friend; she’s been my sister as well as my mentor; and she taught revised policy over the past several years, while ways to address harm in our communities. In me how to advocate for myself and to live my truths. I’m just so eternally grateful because today our members on the inside have fought back the mean time, we need to support people fac- The St. James Infirmary is a peer-based I know how to fight because Miss Major taught me how to fight for me and my community and against this policy through their own advocacy. ing these impossible decisions inside, between health & safety clinic for current and TGI Justice Project is a group of trans- other underserved populations. She has always expressed to me that when she retires from TGI In the words of our member Najee Gibson, “If privacy and safety, identity and survival. If we gender, gender variant and intersex Justice Project that she wanted me to be the Executive Director. I feel very honored to accept the former sex workers and their current they were worried about our safety, they would can improve the quality of people’s lives at all, people—inside and outside of prison— position and I will treat her baby TGIJP with the same love that I watched her handle it with. It’s like primary partners. Since 1999 we’ve creating a united family in the struggle help us stay healthy, not worry about how we I think we’re doing important work.” We wel- walking in her shoes, which I will never fit, but then again, I literally have worn her shoes before. been offering services like primary for survival and freedom. We work express ourselves.” We are glad to know that come changes that lessen the struggle of our I’m looking forward to accepting the position as Executive Director. medical care, mental health care, in collaboration with others to forge these voices have been heard! members’ day-to-day lives while we continue - Janetta Johnson massage and acupuncture, support a culture of resistance and resilience The new policies also make several changes to fight for an end to the conditions that make to strengthen us for the fight against that should improve the treatment of intersex, these rules necessary. groups, harm reduction services, and imprisonment, police violence, racism, trans and gender variant people in prison. On a In solidarity, hormone replacement therapy by poverty, and societal pressures. We case-by-case basis, the new rules allow people Hearts on a Wire and for the trans community. All of seek to create a world rooted in self- our services are confidential, non- determination, freedom of expression, judgmental and free to the sex worker and gender justice. community. We have shared office space Janetta Johnson, Executive Director with TGIJP since the spring of 2014. It Woods Ervin, Administrative Director has been amazing to share community danni marilyn west, Development Director with an organization so dedicated and KellyLou Densmore, Esq, Staff Attorney driven towards justice and liberation. Tainay Pulphus, Re-Entry Coordinator Eva Alexander, Re-Entry Specialist Since TGIJP moved in with us, we’ve had Alejandra Cruz, Mail Night Coordinator some great opportunities to collaborate Peaches Banks, Leadership Team on political projects, to support each StormMiguel Florez, Leadership Team other’s work, and to coordinate our Malachi Garza, Leadership Team services to the maximum benefit of Billy Chen, Leadership Team our community. Between the legal and Paper Buck, Leadership Team Kris Hayashi, Leadership Team social support offered by TGIJP and the physical and mental health services of the SJI, there’s a lot happening by and New Postal Address: for the trans community in our shared space. If there’s any information about our services we can send you, let us 370 Turk St PMB #370 know! And if you’re coming home to San Francisco, CA 94102 the Bay Area, stop by and check us out. TGIJP is working on building our grassroots re-entry program, especially in the SF We’d love to meet you! [email protected] Bay Area, so if you or another TGI person you know is being released soon, be in touch and connect with us before and after you come home. Be safe and stay strong!

2 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 19 Ally Updates B reakOut! This year, BreakOUT! will be hosting Project WHAT Good News Special THANK YOU to Beja for compiling the Good News Section TMOR- the of Resilience. BreakOUT! was founded in 2011 by a small Project WHAT! is an organization that raises Every year on November 20th, all across the group of LGBTQ youth of color in response awareness about the effects of parental incar- country, the transgender community acknowl- to discriminatory policing in New Orleans. ceration on children, with the long-term goal made to the court, it is expected to become edges and participates in Transgender Day of improving services and policies that affect BreakOUT! has since grown to a powerful March 2015 legal throughout the country. of Remembrance (TDOR), an annual day of these youth. WHAT! stands for We’re Here youth-led, membership-based organization observance to honor those who have lost their And Talking referring to the youth who make The Montana House on a tie vote Friday The Bathroom Surveillance Bill, otherwise of queer and trans youth directly impacted by lives to anti-trans violence, bigotry and suicide. up the Project WHAT! team, as well as the 2.7 rejected a proposed ballot measure that would known as HB 2801, has been withdrawn by the the criminal justice system, as we believe that Traditionally on this day, community members million children nationwide who have a par- have allowed people to cite their religious Texas House State Affairs Committee. It was those most directly impacted by discriminatory ent incarcerated. Project WHAT! is a youth- and organizations host vigils while reading the beliefs to justify disobeying certain laws or authored by Republican representative Gilbert systems must lead the efforts to transform led leadership development program that names of transgender individuals who have actions by the government. “This bill is about Peña with the intention of restricting bath- them. BreakOUT! works to end the criminal- employs young people from the Bay Area who discrimination of people like me,” said Rep. On the May 18 episode of The Bold & the lost their lives that year. have had a parent incarcerated as youth advo- room use in public schools based on biological ization of LGBTQ youth by confronting unfair- Bryce Bennett, D-Missoula, who is gay. “This is Beautiful, the character Maya Avant disclosed This year, members of the trans commu- cates. Youth ages 13-19 from San Francisco sex. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) had ness in the legal system, youth homelessness, a bill about inspiring fear. ... This bill is discrimi- to her boyfriend that she is a nity and allies are also taking to the streets to County, Alameda County, and Contra Costa branded the bill “harmful and unnecessary”, school push-out, and many other issues and is natory and dangerous.” transgender woman. The show revealed to the march in honor of these lives lost and to let the County, CA can apply for the paid job each adding that it “encouraged the harassment and building the power of LGBTQ youth to build a audience in March that Maya, an established nation know that the lives of trans people of spring, beginning in March. People can contact bullying of transgender students just for using safer city for all New Orleanians. us at www.communityworkswest.org or 510- character on the show since 2013, is a transgen- color matter in the first National Trans March appropriate bathrooms.” Although the bill was 486-2340 for more information about how to der woman who transitioned many years ago. of Resilience. withdrawn, the legislature in Texas contin- apply, or write to us at: Led by trans people of color, the Trans March While Rick was originally hurt that Maya had not Project What! ues to consider other anti-equality legislation. of Resilience is set to take place on November told him about her past sooner, he ultimately 4681 Telegraph Avenue A list of ‘bathroom surveillance bills’ are still affirmed that he loves her. He said, “I’m glad you 20th, 2015 in numerous cities across the Oakland, CA 94609 pending, all entailing the potential criminaliza- told me. That’s what the woman I know would nation and will be the first nationally-coordi- tion of transgender individuals if passed. HRC do. So what does it change? […] I just know that nated demonstration for justice for the trans- A ll Of Us Or None warns that these bills “hurt businesses and gender community. Dozens of protesters shut down a busy inter- I love you and I want to spend my life with you. All Of Us Or None is a grassroots organization individuals by leaving them open to unneces- “We want to continue to ignite social change, section outside the Beverly Center in Los So please don’t walk away from me.” led by formerly-imprisoned people committed sary litigation”. a movement for transgender people of color to fighting for the human dignity of people Angeles during the evening rush hour Friday to nationwide, highlight the injustices faced by who have been or are being held captive in call for an end to violence against transgender the transgender community, and attach those America. We are fighting for the full restora- people. As horns blared and police helicopters stories to real faces and real voices,” expresses tion of our civil and human rights and against circled, protesters marched into the center of TMOR organizer in New Orleans, Christian the systemic discrimination facing us while in the intersection at 3rd Street and La Cienega Lovehall. captivity and upon our release. We demand Boulevard, shouting for trans liberation. Many are aware of the demonstrations held to be called people and not the dehumanizing The Oxford English Dictionary is consider- around the world, over the killings of numer- labels we are usually referred to, such as ex- ing adding the term “Mx” to its next edition. offenders. These characterizations prevent us A pril 2015 ous young Black men by police and the out- For years, trans and gender-nonconforming from being seen and treated as human beings. poses nude to break down the rage expressed by the #BlackLivesMatter people have been using the gender-neutral Although we may have been to jail or prison, myth that trans women are not beautiful. The movement. our lives are much more than the sum total title “Mx” (pronounced “mux” or “mix”) to Orange Is The New Black star posed for Allure identify themselves in lieu of gender-specific Illustration by Erin Wilson for BreakOUT Protests across the country made countless of our past indiscretions or accusations. We magazine’s annual nude feature, alongside headlines, made the cover of Time Magazine, are presently working towards building the honorifics like “Mr.,” Ms.,” “Miss,” and “Mrs.” Trans women of color suffer violence at one and even gained the attention of our President. leadership of formerly-incarcerated people. Jordana Brewster (Furious 7), Katheryn Winnick In the United Kingdom, many agencies and of the highest rates in the nation, yet their sto- But many in the transgender commu- Our nationally-recognized Ban the Box cam- (Vikings), Nicole Beharie (Sleepy Hollow) and government institutions have begun including ries often go unreported in the media. Already nity are wondering why we don’t witness paign challenges the stereotypes of people Sandrine Holt (The Returned). Laverne said, this term within their forms, driving licences, with conviction histories by asking employers this year, 21 trans women of color have been the same level of public outrage when trans “Seeing a black transgender woman embracing bank details and government departments. to choose their best candidates based on job murdered in this country for expressing their women of color are brutally murdered and and loving everything about her body might be Gender-neutral pronouns are becoming more skills and qualifications, not past convictions. Maka Brown, 18, was crowned prom queen at true selves. When Penny Proud, a trans New assaulted daily, by both police and civilians. inspiring for some folks. There’s a beauty in the common as a growing number of LGBT people The question on applications for employment, Salt Lake High School and could be the first Orleanian, was murdered this year, BreakOUT! “Trans people of color are disproportion- things we think are imperfect. It sounds very and allies strive to use language that accurately housing, public benefits, insurance, loans and transgender prom queen in the entire state of was dismayed by scant and inaccurate local ately impacted by structural oppressions that other services, means lifelong discrimination cliché, but it’s true.” and respectfully reflects the broad range of Utah. media coverage. Taking matters into our are inextricably linked to physical violence, and exclusion because of a past arrest or con- gender identities people embrace. And the own hands, BreakOUT! launched a media whether state-based or interpersonal. And at viction record. We have chapters throughout The Supreme Court of Virginia has ruled that May 2015 trend toward inclusive language isn’t limited to California, with our most active chapters are campaign online and erected a highly vis- the same time, historically, transgender people Alicia Jade Brown, a transgender woman who Oregon is now the third state in the country to English-speaking locales. Sweden will formally ible billboard near the Orleans Parish Prison. of color have been the catalyst of change for in the SF Bay Area, Riverside, and . is incarcerated at a federal prison can legally add the gender-neutral pronoun ‘hen’ to the All of Us or None is not a pen-pal organization. ban so-called “gay conversion therapy” after Using the hashtags #MakePennyProud and social justice movements,” states Milan Nicole change her name. Swedish Academy’s dictionary. For more information please contact All of Us Gov. Kate Brown signed legislation outlawing #BlackTransLivesMatter, BreakOUT! is raising Sherry. “On November 20th, we invite others or None via Legal Services for Prisoners with Mexico’s highest court has called bans on the practice. The measure makes it illegal for The Japanese ministry of education issued a the visibility of victims of state and interper- around the country to celebrate our resilience Children at: same-sex marriage “totally unjustified”. It is social workers or licensed mental health pro- notice to local education boards urging schools sonal violence in our community and across as transgender people of color and demand 1540 Market St., Suite 490 part of a battle to gain equal marriage across fessional to practice therapy treatments pur- to do more for transgender students. This the nation. justice - Black Trans Lives Matter, too.” San Francisco, CA 94102 Mexico. Currently only some states allow it, porting to change the sexual orientation of includes letting children choose which uniform, and if more petitions and legal challenges are children younger than 18. bathroom and locker room they want to use.

18 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 3 Good News (continued) The Intersex Basics

Hello Friends & Comrades of TGIJP, some of her cells have XX chromosomes and Intersex Lived Experience My name to Kalash and I am a proud vol- some of them have XY. The federal government ordered federal Intersex is a lived experience of the body. unteer of the Transgender Gender-Variant Though we speak of intersex as an inborn June 2015 Intersex bodies do not meet societal expecta- employee health insurers to include transi- Intersex Justice Project Dynamic Community. condition, intersex anatomy doesn’t always tion-related health coverage for transgender tions. We suffer stigma and pathologisation as I am, also, a person of Intersex gender. In this show up at birth. Sometimes a person isn’t a result. Intersex people have non-heteronor- employees in their plans. California became the section of Stiletto, I will be exploring informa- found to have intersex anatomy until she or mative bodies, bodies that affect perceptions first state in the country to allow transgender tion on Intersex biology and socialization. he reaches the age of puberty, or finds them- of our realness as men or women. Cultural, individuals to have their chosen gender iden- self an infertile adult, or dies of old age and is What is Intersex Gender? familial and medical attitudes govern to which tity listed on their death certificate. autopsied. Some people live and die with inter- sex we are assigned. Surgical and other medical Intersex is a biological reality, but it gets con- sex anatomy without anyone (including them- interventions are made to ensure we conform fused with gender, sexual orientation, and selves) ever knowing. http://www.isna.org/ to the norm, to erase intersex differences. behavior because there is no socio-cultural faq/what_is_intersex The key issue for most intersex people is not relationship between one’s body and all of the existence of two binary sexes, but what is At an LGBT pride month reception held at the Apple Model Management L.A. plans to open Discrimination these identities. Intersex individuals share in done to us to make us conform to those two White House, Jennicet Gutiérrez interrupted the its doors to exclusively represent transgender the same sexual orientations and gender iden- Within the broader context of discrimina- narrow classifications. President, shouting “President Obama, release models. Asuncion, whose award winning docu- tities as non-intersex people. However, the dif- tion, discrimination on the grounds of gender http://www.wheelercentre.com/notes/ all LGBTQ immigrants from detention and stop mentary film What’s the T? explores the lives ference is that intersex people are born with a identity and gender expression, as well as dis- aad59565809c all deportations.” As a transgender woman who of transgender women, points out that there mix of anatomical sex traits chromosomes. crimination on grounds of sex vis-à-vis inter- I know these three articles excerpts can is undocumented, Gutiérrez said she could not have been trans models throughout history For example, a person might be born appear- sex people, are particularly complex issues. leave room for open curiosity for interested ing to be female on the outside, but having This is due to the fact that the legal recogni- folks wanting to know more, we can send the celebrate while some 75 transgender detainees Soprano Breanna Sinclairé became the first such as Candy Darling, Caroline Cossey (aka mostly male-typical anatomy on the inside. Or tion and rights afforded to this community full articles upon request. were still being exposed to assault and abuse in transgender person to sing the national Tula), Octavia Saint Laurent, and now Andreja Please feel free to write in to Kalash at TGIJP. ICE custody at this very moment. The work of a person may be born with genitals that seem are often intertwined with specific medical anthem at a Major League Baseball game at the Pejic. “But their full potential was never to be in-between the usual male and female and psychological obligatory requirements. Let me know your question(s)/queries, thus the organizations she represents, Familia Trans Oakland Coliseum at the Oakland Athletic’s reached because of the stigma the community- types—for example, a girl may be born with Whilst most of the report deals with discrimi- we will try and answer them as constructively Queer Liberation Movement and GetEQUAL, first LGBT Pride night. at-large had towards the trans community,” he a noticeably large clitoris, or lacking a vaginal nation on the grounds of gender identity as possible. was echoed yesterday when 35 Congresspeople says. “This has to change.” opening, or a boy may be born with a notably and gender expression, a brief part focuses In Solidarity and Love, Be Well, In Peace and signed a letter sent to ICE demanding the July 2015 small penis, or with a scrotum that is divided on the specific discrimination that intersex Fearlessness!!! agency release LGBTQ immigrants out of con- so that it has formed more like labia. Or a per- people face. http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/ Thank you, cern for their safety. son may be born with mosaic genetics, so that trans-and-intersex-people-pbDS3212033/ TGIJP Volunteer Kalash

Legal Updates Butterfly by Shilo Quine

After months of collaboration between the The Supreme Court ruled today that “same- National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Fairness West Virginia, and elected The Cases of Michelle Norsworthy and Shilo Quine sex couples may exercise the right to marry” officials in the state legislature, West Virginia’s and that “there is no lawful basis for a State to Meagan Taylor, a Black transgender woman Many of you have heard about the California expanded Department Operations Manual for SRS.” Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) unrolled cases, Norsworthy v. Beard et al and Quine v. (DOM) commissary items. Your continued self- refuse to recognize a lawful same-sex marriage whose story made headlines when she was performed in another State on the ground of new policies this week making it easier for Beard et al, where the Northern District Federal These two cases have created a strategic advocacy is making a sys- arrested after checking into an Iowa hotel and Court required CDCR (California Department window of opportunity and now is the time tematic difference right now, its same-sex character.” Writing for the Court, West Virginians to obtain a driver’s license that then held in isolation at the Polk County Jail, of Corrections and Rehabilitation) to provide to really push for equal access to program- and your persistence is working to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Jr., grounded matches their gender identity. While the pre- has been released after over a week in custody. Michelle Norsworthy and Shilo Quine with ming as well as access to all the clothing and chip away at one gatekeeper at a vious policy required a court order to update these marital rights in the 14th Amendment’s This news follows advocacy by local groups, gender affirming surgery/ Sex Reassignment commissary items you need and want (and are time within the larger system. Please the gender marker on a West Virginia driver’s guarantee that no State may deprive any per- national organizations, and a pastor who Surgery (SRS) - Ms. Norsworthy won a pre- available within the broader prison system) follow the new SRS guidelines that CDCR has license, all that is required under the new policy liminary injunction and Ms. Quine received that affirm your gender. There is no better released, AND continue to document the son of “liberty” without due process of law or raised the money for her bail. When Meagan is a signed form from the applicant’s physician a groundbreaking settlement. Instead of time to push for the remedies you deserve for results and exchanges with CDCR staff and deny to any person the “equal protection of the checked in at the Drury Inn, she presented attesting to the applicant’s gender identity. giving Ms. Norsworthy her surgery, CDCR the harms the state and CDCR have caused at every level of the appeals process, as we laws.” her Illinois ID, which has her legal name and The new policy also instructs DMV employ- paroled and released her and therefore did you for being transgender. Due to these big anticipate some frustrating pushbacks. We The original Stonewall Inn, which launched a male gender marker. The hotel later called not adequately address the issues and needs wins, many TGIJP members in prisons have are already seeing small victories in the ways ees to refrain from asking invasive questions the Rebellion sparking the modern LGBT the police to her room. Many transgender of imprisoned trans people’s necessary gender been requesting medical and psych gatekeep- of access to some undergarments (bras, box- about an applicant’s gender identity or medical rights movement, was voted to be an offi- women lack access to accurate IDs that reflect affirming medical care. However, the settle- ers (medical and psych staff) to evaluate and ers, binders), transgender representatives history. cial city landmark. This is the first time a site their gender identity. The police charged her ment terms and conditions in Ms. Quine’s approve them for SRS. In response, we have on IACs, and the development of support case are slowly being enforced. Ms. Quine heard that TGIJP members are experiencing groups. However, there is also ongoing retali- had been landmarked specifically for its role for having hormones without a prescription, The US Senate Tuesday rejected a provision will be provided with gender affirming sur- a lot of typical CDCR chaos, such as CDCR ation from guards and gender police because in LGBT history and came just in time for the among other charges, though her prescrip- that would prohibit discrimination and bul- gery and will be moved to a women’s prison. bouncing back requests and appeals for lack of the strength of your powerful advocacy, all 46th anniversary of the Rebellion that will be tion was at her home in Illinois. Transgender lying in K-12 public schools based on sexual Additionally, due to the settlement agree- of “updated CDCR forms,” even though CDCR of which you know too much about already. If commemorated by the Pride March on Sunday, Law Center is working with Meagan to explore orientation and gender identity. But Sen. ment, CDCR is required to review and change has released a new Care Guide for Gender you want a copy of the new guidelines please June 28, the actual anniversary. next steps, including possible litigation. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the chairman its policies to allow Ms. Quine access to some Dysphoria, “Guidelines For Review of Request write us. Otherwise, be safe and stay strong! 4 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 17 Oakland Power Projects

Eroding the Power of the Police of the education panel and a former educa- was called after three Black trans women – Airport, harassed, repeatedly patted down and tion secretary under President George H.W Elisha Walker, Ashton O’Hara, and Kandis Capri instructed not to record the ordeal, all because By Critical Resistance Oakland Bush, urged his colleagues to vote against the – were reported murdered in a 24-hour period a full-body scanner flagged her penis as an amendment, calling it a federal intrusion into on August 17, and trans leaders in the Black “anomaly.” Shadi Petosky, who live-tweeted healthcare practices that are conscious and In June of 2014, officers in Dallas, TX shot and killed Jason Harrison, a Black matters best handled at the local level. Sen. Al Lives Matter movement decided to respond. the incident Monday, ended up missing her critical of the relationship with health and Franken (D-Minn.), the sponsor of the amend- flight. Advocates say transgender people are man who suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, moments after arriv- policing, to see what resources already exist ment, said “This isn’t about lawsuits, this about often subjected to invasive airport screening. ing at his doorstep. His mother had called 911 because she needed help getting or what resources they could imagine build- schools doing the right things when parents When passengers go through a full-body scan- ing that would address some of the things him to the hospital, yet instead of receiving medical help she lost her son. This is ask. We have the same protections granted to ner, TSA agents calibrate the scanners “male” that had come up in people’s stories. CR kids by virtue of their race. That wasn’t a local or “female” based on their perception of the just one heartbreaking example of people being subject to the violence of polic- members spoke with people from Mission issue, that was a federal law we had to pass.” passenger. Genitalia that doesn’t conform to ing when they need or are seeking medical care. The glaring question is why are Neighborhood Resource Center, Berkeley Free the scanner’s standards for that sex may be Clinic, Street Level Health Center, Highland fully armed officers acting as health service providers? flagged. At one point, Petosky said an agent Hospital Emergency Medicine, Curanderas Sin The White House for the first time has hired an “told me to get back in the machine as a man The answer lies in the fact that police have been obsolete. Because we know that policing will Fronteras and an ally who is trained as a street openly transgender person as a member of its or it was going to be a problem.” The TSA says deemed as the primary state-sponsored agents never meet any of our needs. medic and Wilderness First Responder. We staff. Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, who formerly its agents followed agency guidelines. responsible for addressing not just violence or The Oakland Power Projects, a project of asked them some questions about what they served in trans advocacy as policy adviser for crime in communities, but multiple forms of the Oakland chapter of Critical Resistance, think people need to know as basic information the National Center for Transgender Equality’s harm including medical emergencies. This is was conceived to build capacity for Oakland to keep healthy and what resources they would Racial & Economic Justice Initiative, has been not accidental, but a by-product of austerity; to reject police and policing as the default like to see. appointed to a senior position in the White the shaving away of life-affirming resources response to harm and to highlight or create Out of these conversations, we have launched The Pentagon announced that it will allow House Office of Presidential Personnel. She’s and programs. Government entities repeat- alternatives that actually meet community the first Power Project; an Anti-Policing Health transgender members of the military to serve set to begin her new role as an outreach edly prioritize funding for surveillance, policing needs and address harm. OPP helps Oakland Workers cohort that will provide community- openly starting next year, marking an end to and recruitment director in the Presidential and imprisoning people while social services residents invest in practices, relationships, and based “Know Your Options” training so that a long-standing policy that barred them from Personnel Office. and education funding continue to get slashed. resources that build community power and people can access the healthcare that they the armed forces, yet continues to deny treat- These spending trade-offs demonstrate a wellbeing. By identifying current harms, ampli- need while minimizing potential police contact. ment to or release Chelsea Manning, transgen- socio-economic climate where the state sys- fying existing resources, and developing new Our long-term goal is to create a new common der political prisoner held in military prison. tematically and repeatedly fails to meet the practices that do not rely on policing solutions, sense – that people can and will be safe and educational, social and economic needs of the projects remind us that we can make our have better access to resources without police. August 2015 Lawmakers in Buenos Aires, Argentina rule that communities of color, while demonstrating few families and neighborhoods safe and healthy We believe that this goal is both visionary 1% of civil service jobs must go to trans work- difficulties in imposing punitive policing pres- without relying on the cops. Through a steady and practical. The idea of self-determination ers. This follows Argentina passing its Gender ences under the guise of “services.” and intentional process, Critical Resistance remains at the heart of how we understand and Identity Law in 2012; legislation that the World members talked to close allies, friends, neigh- articulate Oakland Power Projects and Critical Health Organization described as the most This does not have to be the reality. bors, and community members to find out Resistance’s fight to end our reliance on pris- progressive gender-identity law on the planet. That law allows trans individuals to officially What if a trained mental healthcare profes- what makes people feel safe; what existing ons, policing and surveillance as solutions to change their names without having to go sional had been sent to the Harrison home resources people rely on, what happens when social problems. It helps us to remember that The second all-transgender chorus in the through legal or psychological examinations, instead of an armed cop? Here we see the irrec- people call the cops; and what resources peo- this fight, is as much about building what we nation formed in Boston. They are planning and makes it the Government’s responsibility oncilable and tragic intersection of policing ple felt would build stronger communities. want as it is about tearing down what we do their first public concert in April of 2016. and healthcare. These highly publicized cases Health emerged as a broad theme in terms of not want. Self-determination by definition is to pay for surgical procedures and hormone of violence, however, make clear the neces- resources that people needed but didn’t feel a long-haul proposition, but it is surely attain- September 2015 therapy to aid transition. Further marking it as sity of building self-determination through they had access to in Oakland without police able, and definitely worth the struggle. one of the most progressive countries in the investing in real community resources that involvement. Over 200 people attended a rally in San world in relation to LGBTI rights, last week it we need. Among those things is access to qual- Following that theme, Critical Resistance Francisco August 25, which TGIJP, Get Equal, lifted its ban on gay men donating blood. ity health services, not police response; we must decided to draw on the expertise of people Editors Note to Stiletto Readers Black Lives Matter, and other groups desig- Transgender women in San Francisco’s city- fight to build the former while making the latter and organizations involved with health and We appreciate all of the bold and brilliant nated Black Trans Liberation Tuesday. In nearly county jails will allegedly be able to access leadership of Critical Resistance and espe- 20 cities across the country, organizers used programs for other female inmates and even- cially commend the transgender leadership the hashtag #SayHerName to acknowledge tually will be housed with them if they wish within Critical Resistance and Oakland the threats of violence facing black transgen- to be. Trans women are currently housed in Power Projects. der women, and to call attention to the at least a separate unit for their own protection, but 20 transgender women and gender non-con- In the US, the Transportation Security they will be fully integrated with other women #TransIsResistance forming individuals who have been murdered Administration is defending its treatment of a by the end of the year. Next month inmates #TransLeadershipForLiberation #BlackTransLivesMatter since the beginning of the year, including 13 transgender woman who says she was detained and Sheriff’s Department staff will begin “edu- black transgender women. The day of action for 40 minutes at Orlando International cation and training designed to smooth the 16 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 5 back hard, and shut the meeting down because During the panel, the coalition used the Unfortunately, our environmental appeal our concerns weren’t being taken seriously. excitement to gain signatures to contest the was rejected by the state and the Board of Good News (continued) The city decided to try and move forward with- jail on environmental grounds. We sent an Supervisors voted to move forward with the out conducting a full environmental review appeal to the state, but didn’t wait for them next phase of the jail - requesting funds from with input from the community. before our next move. We continued to hold the Board State and Community Corrections meetings and mobilize to SF city hall. We were for an $80 million loan as part of the construc- City Refuses Community Input, We tion process. granted a special hearing on alternatives to the way for female transgender inmates to partici- gathering also marked the release of Coming and video, will be on display outside the may- Build Community Power On November 1st, 2015 we found out the jail - where the D.A., the city attorney and the pate with other women in programs such as Out of Concrete Closets: A Report on Black & or’s office at Philadelphia City Hall. The exhibit We figured that if the city was not going to state granted the $80 million loan to San city Pre trial department presented alterna- drug and alcohol abuse education and wom- Pink’s National LGBTQ Prisoner Survey: will run for a solid two months, and will feature conduct a legit report, we’d do it ourselves. In Francisco. So now we have the hard job of tives to incarceration. We presented commu- en’s empowerment groups,” the SF Chronicle During the latter months of 2014, Black & works curated by Sharron Cooks, Wesley Flash, March, the coalition released a report on the convincing the city not to take a loan from the nity based solutions - more housing, more jobs, reports. Pink, conducted a survey of our prisoner mem- Helyx Chase Scearce Horwitz, Ezra Berkley fight against expanding the jail and then held a state to build this jail. While it will be difficult to panel featuring Janetta Johnson discussing the bail reform - demonstrating that if the city put accomplish, we know the fight is worth it. We bership. Nearly 1,200 prisoners responded to Nepon, and Mai Schwartz. Cooks, one of the A federal appeals court has found that condi- impact of prisons and jail on the trans commu- the $280 million it had to alternatives instead hope to soon report that the city has decided their 133-question survey, producing the larg- curators, says that the exhibit “affirms the tions for transgender women are so dire in nity in San Francisco and what something like of jail expansion, the need for a new jail would there should be NO NEW JAIL in San Francisco. est ever dataset available on the experiences struggle trans-identified people have had with Mexico that they may qualify for protection pre trial diversion could do for trans people. disappear. Until then, FIGHT TO WIN! of LGBTQ prisoners in the country. The intent society and how we still managed to break in the US under the international Convention of this survey was to get some truth out from through certain barriers, and demand the Against Torture (CAT) based on the likelihood behind prison walls about the experiences of rights and respect we are due and deserve.” they would face torture if deported. The three LBGTQ prisoners in the United States. Their women in the court ruling will not be deported, report aims to share that truth by elevat- and virtually any Mexican transgender woman Ashley Diamond Released ing prisoner voices, stories, and leadership to whose gender expression and appearance inspire immediate collective action. were likely to make her a target of the police and military should be entitled to find refuge Black & Pink from Georgia Prison in the US. 614 Columbia Rd Dorchester, MA 02125 By the Southern Poverty Law Center, August 31, 2015

Ashley Diamond, the transgender prisoner who assaulted repeatedly and denied proper treat- sued the Georgia Department of Corrections ment for her gender dysphoria, a medically November 2015 (GDC) after being denied a safe environment recognized condition in which individuals iden- and medically necessary gender dysphoria tify emotionally and psychologically as a gen- treatment, was released today after more than der different than they were assigned at birth. three years in prison, where she was housed She had been receiving hormone treatments with male prisoners and sexually assaulted for 17 years prior to her incarceration. The Catholic Church has been condemned for eight times. The suit alleges that the GDC’s failure to its “harmful” decision to deny trans people Diamond, 37, was released from Augusta protect, train and provide medically necessary State Medical Prison just five days after the care to Diamond and other transgender pris- the right to be godparents. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) filed oners violated the Eighth Amendment’s ban Catholic News Agency, 21-year-old Catholic additional documents supporting her motion on cruel and unusual punishment and placed trans man Alex Salinas was rejected as his neph- prisoners at a grave risk of harm. The denial of for preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed in Ashley Diamond, photo by Brenna Beech / WABE ew’s godfather, and told he was not eligible February. The papers, which include sworn safety and care has caused Diamond to com- because he is transgender. His case launched statements from multiple transgender pris- pulsively bind her genitals, attempt suicide and denied access to female undergarments and an appeals process in the Church which even- oners, demonstrate that the GDC continues self-castration, and experience post-traumatic grooming items pursuant to GDC policy, even tually reached one of its highest authorities. to systematically deny appropriate care to distress, anxiety and depression. though her medical providers have recognized MAJOR!, the documentary film about Miss Diamond’s case has drawn international that gender expression and role change are The body upheld the original ban. transgender prisoners, despite having earlier Major’s life and campaigns, had its world announced a policy change. attention to the abuse and mistreatment of medically necessary treatments for gender In San Francisco, on October 25, the day of her premiere on Friday November 13th at the “I’m overjoyed to be with my family again transgender prisoners. dysphoria. October 2015 birthday, hundreds gathered together from Castro Theater as part of the San Francisco and out of harm’s way,” Diamond said. On April 3, the Department of Justice filed Though she has been released, the SPLC will across the country for a historic celebration for Transgender Film Festival. In 2016, the film will “Although the systematic abuse and assaults I a statement of interest supporting the lawsuit. continue to litigate the case. and retirement of one of the trans communi- faced for more than three years have left me The DOJ claimed that Georgia’s “freeze frame” “While we’re thrilled that Ashley Diamond go on tour, screening at film festivals and com- ty’s fiercest fighting and longest standing lead- emotionally and physically scarred, I’ll continue policy – which prohibited treatment for prison- is out of prison, our lawsuit is far from over,” COMING OUT OF CONCRETE CLOSETS munity events and bringing Miss Major’s pow- ers, Miss Major. The affair was spectacular and to fight for justice and to shine a light on the ers beyond the care they received before incar- said Chinyere Ezie, SPLC staff attorney. “Ashley A REPORT ON BLACK & PINK’S NATIONAL LGBTQ PRISONER SURVEY erful message of survival to audiences around grand with live music and a DJ, flowing drinks gross mistreatment of transgender inmates in ceration – was unconstitutional. has endured more than three years of system- the United States and the world. MAJOR! is a and tasty food, and lots of sweet and loving Georgia and nationwide.” Under the widespread scrutiny, GDC revised atic abuse based on the Georgia Department of revolutionary film project that centers trans Diamond began serving an 11-year sentence its gender dysphoria policy and adopted new Corrections’ unconstitutional policies toward faces from over the many many years of her TGIJP is proud to have collaborated in the pow- women of color in telling stories of our his- for a nonviolent offense in November 2012. guidelines to provide constitutionally appropri- transgender inmates and woeful lack of care. work. The party marked the official passing erful gathering in Boston, MA called Decade tory and truths about the impact of the prison She was eligible for parole this November but ate treatment. The GDC also agreed to start Her release does not erase her barbaric treat- of the torch from her to TGIJP’s new Executive of Black & Pink where formerly incarcerated industrial complex on our lives and loved ones. was released to family members at 8:45 a.m. Diamond on hormone treatment. The dosage, ment by GDC officials, which was tantamount Director, Janetta Johnson. TGI and LGBQ leaders from across the country We’re excited to share photographs from the (Eastern) today. however, remained inadequate for months, to torture. Nor is her plight isolated. We will gathered to build relationships, share strategy Defiant Archives exhibit, which highlighted premiere in the next issue of Stiletto, and The SPLC filed suit – Diamond v. Owens, et according to the SPLC’s most recent filing. continue to advocate for an end to prison prac- al. – in the U.S. District Court for the Middle Diamond has also endured ongoing punish- tices that unfairly punish and inflict pain on and build power towards abolitioning pris- trans Philadelphia history and activism through will keep you posted on the film’s travels and District of Georgia after Diamond was sexually ment for her female gender identity and been transgender inmates.” ons,To increase jails the power and of prisoners detention we need greater access tocenters. the The Jasonherstoric Lydon a collection of materials, artwork, documents, upcoming screenings. political process. We need real! access to real people in real power with who will actively hear us and help us, not just give us lip service, come Kamaria Carrington sit and talk with me, help me take my dreams and present them to Hana Low the people who can turn them into a reality, I am not persona non Reed Miller 6 grata, hear me, don't patronize me just to keep me quiet, understand December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 15 that I'm very capable of helping in this fight. ‐Survey respondent Mahsa Yazdy

1 TGI JUSTICE PROJECT says Black Lives Matter & the Movement NO NEW JAIL IN SF For Black Lives Current Events Over the last 6 months, the war on Black people has continued to wage genocide substandard housing — are the core causes for By Woods Ervin the conflagration that has become known as on our communities in varying forms. The murders of our families through the the “Baltimore Uprising.” Spontaneous protests 850. They currently have very little access to Since we know that no cage is a good cage and if they build a cage, they will fill violence of racism, police brutality, transmisogyny, gentrification and displace- across the city were held in direct response to programming, are at general risk to the con- Gray’s murder and the injustices of the Baltimore a cage, TGIJP is showing up to say stop criminalizing and capturing our commu- ditions that decrepit jail poses. There is gen- ment, etc. has increasingly amplified and shown no signs of slowing up. As a Police Department. These demonstrations will nity. TGIJP doesn’t want anyone incarcerated, so we do not want folks in jails or eral violence that those incarcerated face, result, we have continued to resist, stand up and fight back for our livelihood for example, in March it was discovered that forever be known as the Baltimore Uprising. prisons longer off hate crimes extensions and we do not want new beds or special deputies we deputies were forcing people in and refuse to back down so long as the state continues to perpetuate such vio- cells for trans people because it increases the risk of even higher rates of incar- 850 to fight in cage matches and betting on lence against us. Below is a timeline tracking our resistance movements over the May 2015 them. There is also the violence that is specific ceration for our communities. We do want safety for our community and equal to trans people in prisons, jails and detention last 6 months, grounded in our perspective from local San Francisco/Oakland May 21, 2015: #SayHerName National access to programs and other survival mechanisms, both inside the beast and centers, such as, the harassment, the denial Bay Area work and national strategy, coalition and field organizing. With every Day of Action of gender affirming clothing and health care, out. Below you will find a report from our Administrative Director on our work. the threat of solitary confinement or admin- Stiletto issue we will also bring you our most current events in the movement for The Black Youth Project 100 called for a istrative segregation. TGIJP knew it would be Black lives to keep you informed and aware of this crucial moment. national day of action on May 21, 2015 to Some Background- A New Jail is seismically unsound. Instead of continuing to important to support our people inside, and demand justice for 22-year-old Rekia Boyd, Unnecessary invest in ineffective solutions that harm our to work against even more of our folks going who was shot unlawfully by off-duty Chicago communities, this is an opportunity for the city inside, by doing all we could to stop the likeli- police officer, Dante Servin—Servin was In 2012, the Controllers Office of San Francisco February 2015 March 2015 to CLOSE the jail at 850 Bryant. hood that the jail would be built. completed a forecast of San Francisco’s jail released of all charges. Black women and girls, So in February 2015, the city announced population to inform planning for a replace- February 21, 2015: #Justice4Yuvette March 28, 2015: State of Black Oakland whether trans* or cisgender, are routinely TGIJP Gets in the Ring that they would be doing an environmental ment jail. The forecast was based on the work (SOBO) harassed by police and abused by the state. impact report at the Community Assessment of two external consultants who utilized jail In February of this year, TGI Justice Project This day of action was not only meant to com- and Services Center (CASC). An environmental Hundreds of Black activists, educators, entre- population data through 2011. In 2014, the decided to take up the fight against expand- memorate Rekia Boyd, but ALL Black women ing the jail. The SF county jail system is only impact review is mandatory for all construction preneurs, healers and artists convened on Controller’s office updated its analysis with and girls who fall victim to state-sanctioned projects in the state of California, including March 28, 2015 for “a People’s Assembly.” The more recent data and recommended that the at 65% capacity, 85% of people inside are pre- prisons and jails. The report process is one of violence. There were hundreds of events cross forecast be updated again in 2015. trial and while San Francisco is 6% Black, Black purpose of this assembly was to unite commu- the few ways that community members can country and three events held in the Bay area Between 1994 and 2009 the average daily people make up 56% of the jail population. nity members, discuss and strategize solutions actually weigh in on whether a jail gets built or on this day to honor #SayHerName. jail population declined gradually, falling by an Given these clear inequities and the repeated to improve life for Black people in Oakland. The not. As the construction of a new facility has ƒƒ BlackOUT Collective direct action average of less than one percent per year. Over stories of prisoner abuse at the hands of sher- daylong gathering was held at Geoffrey’s Inner intense environmental and human impacts, using traditional topless protest the last five years, that decline accelerated to iff’s deputies, we thought it necessary to push Circle in downtown Oakland and was struc- this is a crucial intervention to make. eight percent per year. However, since 2012 the city around alternatives to incarceration of ƒƒ Anti-Police Terror Project (APTP) rally When we mobilized to the CASC to engage tured as a “listening space” where a coalition of the decline in the jail population has largely trans people - especially trans women - in SF for Yuvette Henderson in the environmental impact report process, Black-led organizations called on attendees to been driven by two policy changes: state county jails. ƒƒ Local Black Youth Project chapter we found that the city administrators were discuss what must be done to improve the lives realignment and proposition 47. Absent these The reason that TGI decided to take up the (BYP) #SayHerName Night March attempting to rush through the process with- of Black people in the city. policy changes, the jail population remained fight is that trans women from San Francisco out any community input. The coalition pushed relatively flat over that period. This suggests are housed in the special populations tank is the jail population may plateau near current A pril 2015 levels unless other policy changes are enacted. Yuvette Henderson was a 38-year-old Black April 19, 2015: #BaltimoreUprising San Francisco initially proposed a jail rebuild woman and mother of four from Oakland, priced at $280 Million and that the local jail at California who was murdered by Emeryville On April 12, 2015, 25-year-old Baltimore resi- 850 Bryant would be torn down and replaced, Police officers after being accused of shoplifting dent Freddie Gray was arrested by the Baltimore due to both issues of overcrowding as well at the local Home Depot in the early afternoon Police Department for possessing an alleged ille- as the fact that the building had gotten so of February 3, 2015. Reports note that the gal switchblade. Gray died on April 19 from spinal decrepit. However, the city has a facility in San officers involved in the murder had their body cord injuries which he sustained during his arrest Bruno that is currently not being used at all - but is considered too “low security” to house cameras turn off during the incident and that and while he was being transported in a police people as it is open dormitory style. they used three different kinds of guns dur- van. In addition to this unlawful murder, the bru- There are approximately 1000 empty jail ing their response—an AR-15, a handgun and tality of the city’s police culture — coupled with beds in county jails every single day in SF and a military assault rifle. On February 21, 2015, the routine (historical) denial of black person- the jail. The county has discussed leasing Black Lives Matter activists, many of whom are hood and economic opportunity, exemplified empty beds to other counties, states or to the queer and/or trans, shut down the Emeryville in predatory policing practices, hyper-surveil- BlackOut Collective members block Market and federal government to fill excess cages. Home Depot for five hours to demand answers lance, mass incarceration, extreme unemploy- Beale streets in San Francisco, California. Photo via The Sheriff’s department has stated that for Yuvette’s murder. ment (currently estimated at 24 percent) and crowdalbum.com. the building at 850 Bryant is decrepit and

14 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 7 injustices. There was a day long gathering of June 2015 July 2015 Black trans leaders from across the country the day before the convening, hosted by TGIJP, June 6, 2015 July 24-26, 2015: Movement For Black GetEqual, BreakOut and the Audre Lorde Trans Sex in the City Lives Convening in Cleveland, OH Oakland native and father, Demouria Hogg, Project. was killed by the Oakland Police Department Dear Sisters, emboldened in that journey—that passion- guided me in my early years with rebelling while lying unconscious in his car at 7:30AM August 2015 I was asked to write a contribution to sti- ate purpose that guides folks like Isa Noyola, of their stories. How women like on June 6. Black organizers in Oakland held a letto this month with the theme of “passing Janetta Johnson and of course, Miss Major- and CeCe McDonald shared their stories with vigil and demonstration for Demouria where August 25, 2015: Black Trans Liberation the baton”, and I struggled with the topic- the women I admire for their visibility and courage us- their plight, their strength, their journeys- they amplified the message that he was killed Tuesday idea , and wondered what words could I truly to lead. and how that very act, inspires movement and offer to you ladies for perspective. I write (spo- And then it hit me like a lightbulb on the lives. It’s how we all learn that in this life we are because he was #SleepingWhileBlack. In response to the 20+ murders of trans radically) a collection of essays on musings of BART train at 7:45am- TELL YOUR STORY. all unique but connected, and it’s how move- women of color since the start of 2015, Black June 16-19, 2015: Black Lives Matter the transsexual woman’s experience- a col- So simple right? I’m almost ashamed of send- ments and ideas are refreshed. trans organizers made a direct call to BLM National convening at Allied Media lection entitled “Trans Sex In The City” which ing this thought because of its simplicity. But It’s such a simple element to our lives that I and the larger movement to lift up Black trans Conference I’m excited to begin sharing with you all in the I offer that it’s underrated and underestimated think we take for granted its impact. Think of women through a national day of action and Black Lives Matter organizers from national coming months. But with such a niche of writ- the impact that sharing your story has. Every any legend and you automatically think of their to recognize the daily violence they encounter chapters convened together at the Allied ings on sex and love and things in between, legend on this earth started with their story- story. From war heroes to survivors, activists Hundreds of Black freedom fighters from while living their authentic selves. Specifically Media Conference in Detroit. Black trans lead- I found myself afraid to write anything that and that is how legends came to be! That’s to celebrities we think of their story. And many around the country came together for the the call to action asked non-trans people to ership was intentionally included in the chapter would sound inauthentic to my experiences in how trans women I know have survived and more stories need to be told- to each other, to inaugural Movement for Black Lives Convening provide leadership towards stopping anti-trans convening. which to share thoughts. advanced over the last 40 years. That’s how the movements of the world, to friends and in Cleveland, OH, from Friday July 24 to Sunday violence. Non-trans Black leadership across the More recently I’ve begun learning of the we grew to trust one another and to learn from loved ones; to me. That’s how we pass the July 26th, 2015. This historic event came at country continued to take risks and build on the June 28, 2015 experiences and ideology of activism and polit- one another. It’s how we as a people from the baton to each other. Because at the end of it all, a pivotal time for the growing movement for powerful work to #SayHerName and put the ical movement building and of advocacy, and I dawn of time have communicated ideals and fire needs fuel to remain hot, to remain burning Black lives in the United States. Black people #TbackinBlack. Rallies and actions held lifted up sometimes struggle with my place in the move- truths, how religions grew to the masses, how and fervent. those loving Black people, wanting Black liber- are facing unabated police violence, increas- ment. I’m honestly not on the front lines of a news became a core part of our dialogue- tell- ation necessarily means loving and celebrating ing criminalization, a failed economic system, protest, or in circuits where I can chat about ing our stories. So with the theme of “pass- With love, a broken education system and the loss of our and claiming Black trans people in our families, ways the movement can advance. I wish I was ing the baton” I think of “trans mothas” who a communities to gentrification and develop- communities, and movement leadership. In the ment. Our trans and queer communities face Bay area, teams of activists spraypainted the the increased risk of physical and economic names of Black trans women lost to violence violence. The list of indignities regularly faced with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter at vari- Source: Screenshot from The Tribe video Profile of trans entrepeneur by the Black community is long and untenable. ous BART metro stations around the area. We BLM Charlotte, NC activist Bree Newsome Thus, Black freedom fighters organized this also held a rally coordinated by the TGI Justice takes down Confederate flag from South event to bring together Black people from all Project and local BLM chapter that turned out Carolina’s Statehouse around the world to strategize against these with overwhelming support. Martine Rothblatt

Wikipedia

Martine Aliana Rothblatt (born 1954) is an communications satellite companies, including In 2004, Rothblatt launched the Terasem Happy Trans Liberation Tuesday American lawyer, author, and entrepreneur. the first private international spacecom proj- Movement, a transhumanist school of thought She is the founder and Chief executive officer ect, the first global satellite radio network, focused on promoting joy, diversity, and the of United Therapeutics and the highest-paid and the first non-geostationary satellite-to-car prospect of technological immortality via mind female executive in the United States. She is broadcasting system. uploading and geoethical nanotechnology. Brief history to mark the importance of TUESDAY also the creator of GeoStar and Sirius Radio. As an attorney-entrepreneur, Rothblatt was Rothblatt left college after two years and also responsible for leading the efforts to obtain Transgender Tuesdays to our folks that are in prisons. With that said, trans woman Taja Gabrielle DeJesus. traveled throughout Europe, Turkey, Iran, worldwide approval, via new international trea- many more people have been joining us as the Kenya and the Seychelles. It was at the NASA ties, of satellite orbit/spectrum allocations for Many years ago, Mark Freeman of the Tom Black Trans Liberation Tuesday tracking station in the Seychelles that she space-based navigation services and for direct- Waddell Clinic in San Francisco, CA designated holidays are approaching, because we’d like to to-person satellite radio transmissions. She led collectively let our folks that are imprisioned National call from Black trans women of color had her epiphany to unite the world via sat- “Transgender Tuesday” to hold transgender clinic. ellite communications. She then returned to the International Bar Association’s biopolitical know that we’re still fighting for their freedom and Black Lives Matter organizing to turn up University of California, Los Angeles, graduat- project to develop a draft Universal Declaration TGI Justice Project TUESDAY’S Mail and waiting for their safe return home—and we on the state sanctioned violence and police ing with a thesis on international direct-broad- on the Human Genome and Human Rights for Night will always be fighting the systems of oppression brutality and not turn on each other. Cis folks cast satellites. the United Nations. supported us in putting the T Back in the Black TGI Justice Project’s Mail Night meets on that separate us from our family/loved ones. Rothblatt subsequently became an active In 1982, Rothblatt married Bina Aspen. They Tuesday from the hours of 4:30pm to 8:30pm family dynamics and focus on Black love, Black Trans Liberation Tuesday member of the L5 Society and its Southern have four children together. Rothblatt and to correspond with incarcerated trans women solidarity, Black liberation and brilliance, and California affiliate, Organization for the Aspen legally adopted one another’s children. of color and remind them that they are not for- February 10th 2015: TRANS LIBERATION together we will win. When they say BLACK Advancement of Space Industrialization and In 1994, at age 40, she came out as trans- gotten. Tuesday is the day we send extra love TUESDAY in response to the murder of Latina LIVES MATTER that means ALL Black Lives. Settlement (OASIS). gender. She has since become a vocal advocate Rothblatt is responsible for launching several for transgender rights. Martine Rothblatt, September 2010

8 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 13 Pelican Bay Hunger Strike Justice for Jennifer Laude

Excerpt from San Francisco Bay View article by Claude Marks and Isaac Ontiveros By GABRIELA USA

Four years ago prisoners in California – led political consciousness among prisoners and educational programing. August 24, 2015. U.S. Marine Corporal Joseph S. Pemberton admitted to chok- by those in the control units of Pelican Bay – their loved ones. The violence of imprisonment The hunger strikers made it clear that they ing Jennifer Laude until she stopped moving, but claims she was still alive when organized a hunger strike to demand an end was further exposed by demands and height- also wanted to help shine a light on the condi- to the torturous conditions of solitary confine- ened organization from within the cages. tions of isolation in women’s prisons, which too he left the hotel room. Autopsy reports show she died from asphyxiation by ment. Two more strikes would follow, with When prisoners went on hunger strike, often are even more invisible and ignored than drowning. Pemberton claimed he acted in self defense as he was surprised to over 30,000 prisoners taking united action in they issued five core demands that called those in men’s prisons. find that Jennifer was a “man” and feared being “raped” by “him”. This does the summer of 2013 – both in isolation and in for an end to the California prison system’s Prisoners understand that their fight, like general population in nearly every California use of long-term solitary confinement, gang most freedom struggles, is long term. They not excuse the soldier’s malicious intent to harm and ultimately take the life of prison. validation and collective punishment, and have built alliances with different movements, Jennifer Laude. His admission to choking her only exposes Pemberton’s intent to The strikes reflected significant shifts in they demanded better food and access to peoples and communities. kill Jennifer upon realizing Jennifer’s transgender identity.

The killing of Jennifer Laude continues to systemic violence and hate crimes due to impe- In honor of the historic court decision TGIJP wants to lift up and reprint this important work! shed light on the systemic violence and brutal rialism which further perpetuates patriarchal attacks against transgender persons under an systems of oppression.” imperialist, patriarchal culture that dismisses Ongoing US military occupation of the the dignity and rights of trans people. Mass Philippines has persistently violated the rights Agreement to End Hostilities organizations under GABRIELA USA remain of women, who are exploited for sexual and vigilant in demanding Justice for Jennifer Laude labor purposes, especially in areas where U.S. and an end to all hate crimes and state violence military bases are still occupying Philippine August 12, 2012 against transgender people. lands. Jennifer’s murder further exposes the To whom it may concern and all California “inmates” amongst the solid GP prisoners with According to Irma Bajar, Solidarity Officer of human rights violations amplified by U.S. milita- Prisoners: orders from IGI to be informers, snitches, rats, GABRIELA USA, “There have been 22 reported rization in our home country. Under the Justice Greetings from the entire PBSP-SHU Short and obstructionists, in order to attempt to killings of trans women of color in the U.S.” for Jennifer Laude campaign, GABRIELA USA Corridor Hunger Strike Representatives. We disrupt and undermine our collective groups’ She goes on to say, “We continue to witness and BAYAN USA alliance organizations demand are hereby presenting this mutual agreement mutual understanding on issues intended for violence against trans people escalate under that U.S. troops get out of the Philippines. With on behalf of all racial groups here in the PBSP- our mutual causes [i.e., forcing CDCR to open various forms of state repression including mil- the so called bilateral policies, such as the EDCA SHU Corridor. Wherein, we have arrived at a up all GP main lines, and return to a rehabili- itarism, police brutality, increased detentions, (Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement) Photo via Irma Bajar mutual agreement concerning the following tative-type system of meaningful programs/ and in the prisons. We must acknowledge that and VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement), between Jennifer Laude’s murder is a product of U.S. the US and the Philippine government, there points: privileges, including lifer conjugal visits, etc. without a particular reason or activity. militarization in the Philippines and anti-trans are no limitations to the number of troops to 1. If we really want to bring about substan- via peaceful protest activity/noncooperation “Pemberton joins a long line of US military violence. It is our duty to educate and orga- be deployed to the country nor is the duration tive meaningful changes to the CDCR system e.g., hunger strike, no labor, etc. etc.]. People invaders and occupiers, and his guilt in the nize our communities to love and protect trans of deployment specified. Therefore, unlimited in a manner beneficial to all solid individuals, need to be aware and vigilant to such tactics, death of Jennifer Laude is loud and clear. His women here and abroad who regularly suffer number of troops can be deployed at any time who have never been broken by CDCR’s tor- and refuse to allow such IGI inmate snitches to excuses are disgraceful, an insult to the life of ture tactics intended to coerce one to become create chaos and reignite hostilities amongst Jennifer and the many trans women who have a state informant via debriefing, that now is the our racial groups. We can no longer play into to live in fear from men like Pemberton” states time to for us to collectively seize this moment IGI, ISU, OCS, and SSU’s old manipulative divide Valerie Francisco, Chairperson GABRIELA USA. in time, and put an end to more than 20-30 and conquer tactics!!! U.S. intervention continues to generate a years of hostilities between our racial groups. In conclusion, we must all hold strong to our climate of heinous crimes, injustice, and impu- 2. Therefore, beginning on October 10, 2012, mutual agreement from this point on and focus nity within Philippine society. As militarization all hostilities between our racial groups… in our time, attention, and energy on mutual Art: Michael D. Russell perpetuates continued violence against trans SHU, Ad-Seg, General Population, and County causes beneficial to all of us [i.e., prisoners], persons and so long as the state continues to Jails, will officially cease. This means that from and our best interests. We can no longer allow progressive oppression and warehousing of protect perpetrators of hate crimes instead of this date on, all racial group hostilities need CDCR to use us against each other for their tens of thousands of prisoners, including the upholding laws to protect the most marginal- to be at an end… and if personal issues arise benefit!! Because the reality is that collectively, 14,000 (+) plus prisoners held in solitary con- ized and vulnerable in our communities, it is between individuals, people need to do all they we are an empowered, mighty force, that can finement torture chambers [i.e. SHU/Ad-Seg critical that we stand together in fighting for can to exhaust all diplomatic means to settle positively change this entire corrupt system Units], for decades!!! justice for victims and to demand truth and such disputes; do not allow personal, individual into a system that actually benefits prisoners, We send our love and respects to all those of accountability. issues to escalate into racial group issues!! and thereby, the public as a whole… and we like mind and heart… onward in struggle and #JusticeforJenniferLaude 3. We also want to warn those in the General simply cannot allow CDCR/CCPOA – Prison solidarity… #JunkVFA Population that IGI will continue to plant under- Guard’s Union, IGI, ISU, OCS, and SSU, to con- Presented by the PBSP-SHU Short Corridor #ScrapEDCA cover Sensitive Needs Yard (SNY) debriefer tinue to get away with their constant form of Collective. #USOutNow

12 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 9 Letters from the Inside

green light to murder Ms. Carmen. What is so way for: Post SA/A; follow-up medical care, My crimson red color bleeds for bravery and wear makeup, (home made) I am subject to unworthy of respect is also cruel and unusual Black sad is, the pig who put Ms. Carmen or rather STD testing and mental health counseling. honor consumes my being being written up for altering my appearance. punishment. Until the proper mental health forced Ms. Carmen in that cell, did not lose his I wasted time and resources – simply due Our people ways outright rejected defined by All of the canteen items are made for men. We By Shaylanna B. Luvme, treatments are given, until the proper physi- aka The Philosopher job and his is still working here, just seen him to ignorance of my rights and where to con- the war battle scars are of course in a “mens prison”. So I’ve been cal needs are met, we as transgender men, Black is an establishment created to protect a few days ago. These instances are examples tact support/recovery resources. As of August Knocked down repeatly though, still standing told on more than one occasion. This is all tan- woman, and people, confined in prisons across one’s civil rights of the fact that we need safety, if that’s where 2013 state(s) DOCs are mandated by PREA strongly tamount of psychological torture. the nation will continue to be uniquely tar- Black is courage we must be. We need to work for justice other- (Prison Rape Elimination Act) to provide spe- Torn though – fully compromised We are, for all intents and purposes woman, geted and hurt. Black is self-motivation to win wise we will continue to be murdered. Lastly, I cific and comprehensive standards of post Despite all my afflictions these chains can’t that is how we all identify, we all have been We all know proper presentation, not just Black is vision beg my sisters and brothers to stop all of the SA/A care. bind my worthy red woman’s spirit diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria, but we physically, but mentally and emotionally, and Black is respect in-house fighting. The hating gots to stop. Fight for your rights! Their lies don’t hold me down nor does these are never allowed to truely act as the woman without all of those things in place, any no Black is love Because at the end of the night we are all we There are some great SA/A/Recovery walls we are as the woman we are; we are always provisions being made by prisons to put them Black is loyalty can count on. And when you lost that you organizations. Start with Just Detention That restrict my sight because why… disrespected. in place, cruel and unusual will always be the lose your self. Be loyal to one another, Loyal I am an unconquered woman! Black is honesty International (JDI) they literally saved my life We are being denied the right to live as norm. Queens/Kings Rule All. Remember that. Black is trust while struggling with the aftermath of being woman, but really we are being denied the Sincerely, I send you my love and respect. Black is caring raped. right to properly prepare ourselves for life on Fatima Malika Shabazz Loyal Queens Rule Black is nation-wide Editors Note: Feel free to commu- Presentation the outside as women, because of this forced Black is freedom Ms. Jasmine laShayShay Jones. nicate with JDI using legal mail, masculinity. Being called sir, is disrespectful. Byti Fa ma Malika Shabazz Black is unity addressing your correspondence to: Being told you aint no woman, is disrespectful. Some years ago, an episode of the Cosby Show Y our Dreams Can Become Black is pride Being patted down coming out of the dining Cynthia Totten, Esq. dealt with the way Denise presented her new Black is equal Survivor: hall is degrading. Reality 3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 340 Husband to the family. That was a teachable Black is LGBTQ Los Angeles, CA 90010 Being considered mentally ill because I iden- By Geri Q moment in acceptance verses presentation. By Steph Howe Black is you tify as a woman is also degrading and denigrat- First: embrace the survivor title while it may I will close by urging you to have faith that My name is Fatima Malika Shabazz. I am an Dreams can come true if you take your time to Furthermore and more importantly, ing. We get hormones and bras, because of a seem corny or overblown now it is the truth. you will recover, you will come to embody the African American trans woman currently incar- really think what it is you truely desire for your Black is me law suit, not because they really want us to In time you will understand and even feel pride survivor spirit. cerated in the gulags of California. I have had life. First get to know yourself & find out who have those things, we are not issued panties, in not only surviving sexual assault/abuse My Best Wishes For You, to on more than one occasion wage war on the you really are. Find your deep interests, & then because this “is a mens prison”, we are not pro- (SA/A) but also recovering. In Solidarity, facility I am housed in to finally be put on femi- pursue them. Learn what it is you are really Loyalty We Must Be/Show vided with female items in the canteen because I won’t say I know how you are feeling right Geri Q nizing hormone treatments. But even with all good at. Don’t worry if you stumble or make we are not considered women. Period. now – every SA/A survivor is unique, and expe- that I am still not being treated in the manner some mistakes. When things seem to not be The medical department is not concerned riences varied reactions to an SA/A incident. I that you would expect a woman to be treated. going right or your way, don’t ever give up, just By Ms. Jasmine laShayShay Jones with transgender specific care. And even the do know you are hurting and going through U nconquered It is great that we can get hormone treat- keep at it & try harder. Always find the courage Hi to all my brothers and sisters. This is Ms. mental health department does not fully com- a range of emotions, perhaps some you have ments in the system now. I know I for one am to remain solid & stay strong. Give yourself the Jasmine over here in Kern Valley, and I just never felt before: ex: fear, despair, helplessness, By Shyla Thompson grateful for that. But there is still the problem prehend what we go through psychologically in freedom to try out new things & don’t be so set want to share the latest struggles of myself humiliation. Support and time are key elements Veins run with women’s blood which burns of presentation. That is, being able to pres- our daily lives around here. We are often told to in your ways that your not able to grow. Do the and my sister, BabyGirl. Currently we are try- in SA/A recovery. With this brief letter, I will try within of hatred of discrimination ent every day as a woman beyond the breast put our complaints on paper. So the question right thing always, do the ethical way always. ing to establish a transgender position on the to offer my support, guidance and solidarity. Born into the world of oppression growth that comes along with being on remains, when do we get to the point were the Allow yourself to get loose sometimes & laugh IAC (Inmate Advisory Counsel), which by the *Note: prison rape is gender neutral – preda- They seek to suppress our ways hormones. mental trauma we suffer through every day will feel good. Form new relationships with people way we are entitled. [Editors Note: They exist tors don’t discriminate. To deteriorate my spirit-n-mind We are constantly being harassed for be properly attended to. that you respect. Treat everyone exactly how in many other CDCR facilities.] Secondly, I … The native woman is worthy of the ancestors many reasons on this facility. The question is I go to bed every night wishing I were more you wish to be treated. Most importantly, am trying to establish a transgender self help While your situation may leave you with the ways why. Two years ago, this facility at Corcoran physically presentable as a woman, I wake up always be honest with people. People all over group. I am receiving resistance but I shall choice to report the SA/A incident or not, I Their legacy been handed down through many (C-SATF) was designated a transgender hub, feeling that way. I go through my day feeling the world can handle & work with truth. But not quit. The funny part is, there are self help was unable to conceal injuries in the course of generations for medical reasons, mostly because we get that way, every day all day. groups for just about every group of people a medical exam, the fact of the rape was note, My blood flows freely through which society hormone shots. Because of this I am at a level Being denied the opportunity to make that those same group of people all hate to be lied with issues, and yet not a transgender group. and I lost control of the situation. The nurse trys to diminish my own very being 2 facility when I am a level one inmate. But a reality is mentally destroying me. And not to. Don’t be afraid to open up & be able to love. Now mind you, after researching, I’ve come to insisted on taking swabs of semen, confiscated Constructing concrete with twisted metal, beyond all that, I am not allowed to present as recognizing that it is mentally destroying me Always remain loyal & close to your whole fam- learn that there is not even one transgender in my underwear, and conducting an intrusive shard-n-shin a woman in regard to makeup or style of dress. means that the Department of Corrections is ily. Don’t ever complain & be appreciative of all any other groups currently going. Why is that? and humiliating exam. I didn’t know I had the Enforcing made up laws trying to contain and I am however required to wear a bra, no prob- not properly taking care of me in the mental that you have. Help & give to those who are Here’s what I believe: I believe Kern Valley is right to refuse parts or all of this procedure. break me lem, BUT, if in wearing my bra, I cannot wear a health department, which I perceive as a viola- less fortunate than you are. Go out of your way not a prison for , I don’t know if I was given minimal medical treatment and My image does not conformed but makes my tank top t-shirt unless I alter it so that you can- tion of my 8th amendment rights. to make others life happier. Find a cause and you’ve heard, but a couple years back, we had tossed into Involuntary Protective Custody desire – everlasting not see the bra’s side side underarm panels, or Denying me the proper mental health struc- work towards peace in the world. Live your life a sister who was murdered here by her cell- (IPC) and eventually transferred to another Goals of mine ever expanding the skin I’m into the straps peaking out. ture to properly prepare for living as a woman to the fullest, smile be grateful. Always remem- mate. After he told the pigs what he would do facility. Despite insistence on the SA/A exam woven If I alter the shirt, which I have to do, I am in a free society is a violation, and also allowing ber you can not control anything or anyone else to Ms. Carmen, the pig told him, “Well, I don’t and report/investigation by security staff, I Derive from this beautiful land yet I’m outcast subject to having it confiscated, and being the staff to treat me and any transgender per- but yourself, and only your actions. Dreams can see nobody.” Pretty much giving this idiot the was forced to fight with DOC every step of the into a misfit written up for wearing altered clothing. If I son, or any person, in their care as degenerates become reality. Pure love & respect, by Steph.

10 December 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 2 Stiletto 11