Comments on: Embracing Trans Diversity is not a Luxury

By: antu

antu — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:34:53 +0000

hey monica, i know maybe i’m commenting in an old post but i hope u have the chance to read this, and since my comment at bilerico project coincided with this subject i think it’s accurate to write this here.
we have too many divisions in our community, this post confirmed my suspicions that the same is going on in the trans community, it’s good to meet new people (even if it’s virtually) that wants to fix this so we can be one when we are fighting for our rights or just enjoying the ones we already have.
i apologize for my english since it’s my second language, hope u r doing good!

By: BT

BT — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:12:41 +0000

WOW! Monica, I thank you SO MUCH for being bold and brave and speaking out loud about this elephant that’s in the room. I’m blown away by how up front and honest it is, and also some of the comments and responses from some people who ‘just don’t get it”, shows that those of us who are interested in TRUE diversity and inclusion of all kinds – will have to do the work to make it happen. I already always give you a big hug whenever I see you, but this is so damn needed that I’m hugging you as I type this.

I’m all for having the summit, it’s a good start, and we can make sure that something REAL comes out of it and that it’s just the start in making a change – I’ll gladly help in anyway that I can!

Thanks to Monica Robert who continues to keep everyone’s feet to the fire on issues in general but especially those that effect POC.

Respect and Love,
BT

By: Monica Helms

Monica Helms — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:26:48 +0000

Reading all of these beautiful comments have made me cry. Atlanta Trans Women of Color, like Dee Dee and Cheryl, make me proud to have worked with them over the years. Zandra, I have always looked up to you and admired all of the great things you have done. When you called me, “my Soul Sister with white skin,” I felt humble, and my eyes watered. You have a beautiful soul.

Polar’s comments are a smack of reality. A Summit is needed, and would make people feel good when it is over, but will anyone follow through? I have yet to hear from leaders in the trans community, with the exception of Jillian and Allyson. I’m sure Monica Roberts would attend a Summit and help arrange it, but we need commitment from others, especially those who were at the White House. Not one peep out of any of those people, and they have all gotten this article. Anyone care to light a fire under those people. Jillian? Allyson?

Polar, maybe those other attempts didn’t work because we didn’t have a Drill Sgt. running the show. I just so happen to know one. “Oh, Angela!”

By: Monica Roberts

Monica Roberts — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:33:16 +0000

Sea Monica.
Thanks once again for you Angela, Polar, and many others who have had mine and my portion of the trans community’s back.

We have to be BETTER than our opponents If we wish to be equal, we can’t turn around and show in our own actions to the rest of the world that we don’t treat others in the same manner.

But once again, talking about the race issues is just a start. They are documented. Just read the Task Force 2003 Say It Loud Report. This is not something new.I’m pointing out.

I’m warning you once again, you are dangerously close to approaching the point that feminism did in the early 90′s. Black women got so tired of dealing with the same issues of racism, erasure, and disrespect I’ve talked about that they permanently split from the movement and became womanists.

Consistent sustained action, bold leadership and constant vigilance is what is required at this moment to overcome the race tension problem in the transgender community.

By: Cheryl Courtney-Evans

Cheryl Courtney-Evans — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:15:55 +0000

Monica, I am pleased to see someone of your stature calling attention to the problem. It is tantamount, in my opinion, to the monumental efforts made by SCC to address this problem in their increased efforts to include the POC Trans community in their yearly event; and not just those few POC “of a certain income”! As a POC Trans woman of Atlanta, I have made every effort to make INCLUSION a key word in my practices, covering not only race, but my Trans brothers in my group and efforts to find equal footing in the community at large. I applaud your efforts, but it is unfortunate that there have been times, I’ve found that when we DO try to “do things for ourselves”, some would call us ‘racist’ (as when we in Atlanta made an attempt to start a “Transgender Persons Of Color” workers’ project [failed due to lack of support]; ring a bell Ms. Belcher?). Additionally, contrary to Ms. Belcher’s assertions as regards the African American Trans person’s problems with the Black Church, we have been no more maligned there than any other member of the TGBL community, and this is being recognized, challenged, and is changing. Too much of the POC Trans community is just too busy trying to SURVIVE to be able to afford to participate in more meetings, without being able to have faith that ACTION will surely follow, but would I would love to see a Summit come to fruition.

By: Zandra Conway

Zandra Conway — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:39:38 +0000

Monica, I have alway known you to be a supporter of TLGB, and the person who clearly understood the power of the Transgender community through your thoughts. As a Soul Sister Lesbian, I can alway trust your support in the black community. Is there racism in the TLGB communities? YES. Acceptance of one’s own race must always be an acceptance of all races. We as a TLGB family must illiminate racism, there is NO ifs, ands about it! I cannot miss out on knowing and respecting my friendships by using race as a factor. For everyone reading this blog – do you have true friends of other races? Do you attend events like Black Gay Pride, celebrate the black culture during the month of February? If you haven’t you should – once people start accepting others who do not share the same skin color or race, this world be a better place. Thanks again Monica, my Soul Sister with white skin for sharing yourself with others!

By: Sheila Coats

Sheila Coats — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:01:40 +0000

Monica, I know that there is racial tension within the trans community and like you had said we are a very diverse group. Race is something that I had to overcome, being raised in a very closed minded family, I had to overcome all and including myself.
We must not forget all the cultures which are rich and very interesting in themselves. We are a very discriminating species and I wish that wasn’t so. No matter what we do, there will be something that we will discriminate against. I try to look at both sides of the coin.
I’m not trying to down play our racial tensions but we are a diverse group and we all need to get along. We are all people and we need to respect any and all. No two of us are the same and not one of us thinks the same, respect that.
We are the world.

By: genderqueer riff raff

genderqueer riff raff — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:34:36 +0000

If we can address this systemic problem , as the systems problem it is – we might get somewhere. Its about poverty, the prison industrial complex, and also a racist streak in lgbt orgs whether intentional or not. Its something that has to be multi tasked. Saying our plate is too full is complete BS. The laws we want passed , even if they do pass are going to do little if anything to get to the root causes of poverty in the TPOC community , little to help with real employment , This is as much about class, and capitalism to me as it is about a lack of affirmative action. Lets talk on line but DO in real life. Look at the growth of Teish Green Page on FB – look at the TDLEF they are going , and tweeting ! The internet makes this easier..ONE thing i plan to do from now on is only give my money to TPOC orgs and fully integrated orgs. I live on ssdi and find a way to give something.. I think and wonder if those who are more well off, and i was once upon a time too. REALLY give to Trans exclusive orgs, …before they get that new flat screen. I just wonder about that…Also with the TPOC orgs that already exist what can be done to raise their profiles.?

As for the homosexual rights corporation – do they also look for POC as a way of rating orgs. ? does that factor in ? I bet if it did a lot of these high rated corporations would fail. The last couple of decades we have seen an attack on affirmative action..case in point the Sotomeyer decision just got over turned.. rambling again here. But there is a part of me that agrees we have a lot of meetings , but i am a believer in declaring and doing. Put out that APB and empower the disenfranchised. Raise the level of promotion and awareness of groups that already exist.

Not long ago Seal Press actually said they just couldn’t find POC women writers to promote/publish…IF that didn’t scream of not trying hard enough i don’t know what does..i mean srsly how they the two white gals could even say that still has me shaking my head. So in the end of this ramble i gotta say its not about talking its about doing. And we can start doing right this second !

By: Allyson Robinson

Allyson Robinson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:43:04 +0000

I’m with Jill, Monica. Let me know how I can help.

By: Ms. Dee Dee Chamblee

Ms. Dee Dee Chamblee — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:39:07 +0000

Rave Reviews Monica,
I applaud your extradinary courage to speak out on this issue, I was raised that the things you are seeking for like equality and justice must start at home before you can present them to the world in order to be successful in what you stand for ,some of the comments i read are from people coming from a lack of information and experience, if those same people put in a another color besides the one they had they been born in as they did when they made there transitions ,i think a true heart felt revelation would enlighten their prespective on this issue, thanks Monica I thank God yes God for you in Jesus name Ms Dee Dee