Trans Liberation

August 29, 2023

Class Struggle Drag Defense

It’s been clear for a while now that whatever we want to call the “far right,” i.e., fascists, neo-fascists, neo-confederates, or just plain ole’ American conservatism in the 21st century, they’re targeting trans communities across the country. This means that anyone who is trans; anyone who is simply considered by fascists to be gender non-conforming and otherwise anyone who they might view as an “other,” faces a very real and constant threat of violence. The threat exists everywhere and against numerous communities. Fascists nationwide have made it their mission to particularly target what are known as “Drag Story Hours.” In an inspiring display of solidarity, communities have come together to defend these events from the fascists. Unfortunately, defense campaigns have not always been successful.

August 1, 2023

by Tina Trutanich

The Revolutionary Power of Love

Because desire is a social construct, love desired is a collective action toward our liberation. We desire life-giving and honest love. We desire liberation. Karl Marx once stated that our consciousness comes through experience as social beings. Capitalism is not only a political and economic system as most people understand it, but also permeates and colonizes our daily lives as a social structure. As such, we strive to build community, and mostly in the form of “family”. As M.E. O’Brien states in Family Abolition Capitalism and the Communizing of Care, “oftentimes we feel as though we have found it.” Under capitalism, though, we are prevented from constructing the family we need.

August 13, 2020

by Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network

“Look me in the eyes and tell me that I am not human”

In El Salvador, trans people realize from a young age that their lives are to be full of persecution and survival. When a trans girl is young, she realizes who is like her. We know if someone is part of our trans community through their way of speaking, walking, etc. Not every trans person has the courage to say they are trans because they know that the whole world, including their own family, will turn their backs. Among ourselves, we support one another because we understand that in order to survive, we need our communities. When our families kick us out, our trans sisters are there, supporting and helping us. They give us food, a place of refuge, and community. That’s how we support each other, giving each other everything we can.

May 12, 2020

by Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network

La Hermandad es Primero

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha creado mucho sufrimiento alrededor del mundo, pero también ha creado oportunidades para solidarizarnos. Hoy nosotras – mujeres trans de El Salvador – venimos a informarles de la situación dolorosa que vive nuestra comunidad en estos momentos y para pedir su apoyo.

Yo, Naty, soy una mujer trans buscando asilo en los Estados Unidos. En este momento vivo en el oeste de Massachusetts, pero nací y me crié en El Salvador. Yo, Aislinn Odaly’s, soy una activista trans basada en San Salvador. Desde hace 21 años me he dedicado a luchar por el bienestar de mi comunidad en una sociedad violenta y discriminatoria. Juntas, tenemos profundas raíces en las comunidades LGBTQI+. Conocemos muy de cerca las necesidades de la comunidad trans, que ha sido una de las comunidades más vulnerables del país durante muchos años, aún antes de esta pandemia.

May 11, 2020

by Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network

La Hermandad es Primero

The COVID-19 pandemic has created much suffering around the world, but has also created opportunities for solidarity. Today we – trans women from El Salvador – come to share about the painful situation our community is experiencing right now and to ask for your support.

I, Naty, am a trans woman seeking asylum in the United States. Right now I live in western Massachusetts, but I was born and raised in El Salvador. I, Aislinn Odaly’s, am a trans activist based in San Salvador. I have dedicated myself to fighting for the well-being of my community in a violent and discriminatory society for 21 years. Together, we have deep roots in LGBTQI+ communities. We are very aware of the needs of the trans community, which has been one of the most vulnerable communities in the country for many years, even before this pandemic.

May 4, 2020

by Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network

TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN – a statement by the Trans Asylum Seeker Support Network

Gracias a todos por marchar por los derechos de las mujeres. Me llamo Celia y soy una mujer trans de Honduras y quiero que me conozcan como una mujer con sueños. Mis sueños son aprender inglés, estudiar computación, cocina y maquillaje. También tengo un sueño de algún día poder juntar suficiente dinero para poder comprar una casa para mi familia porque mi familia nunca ha tenido una casa. Ese sería un sueño para mi y para mi familia. En los Estados Unidos y en otras partes del mundo ven a los immigrantes como criminales pero más a las mujeres trans. La sociedad discrimina y criminaliza a las mujeres trans. Nos ven como un peligro pero en realidad somos sobrevivientes de la violencia, la injusticia y el rechazo social. Las mujeres trans también somos mujeres. Es importante saber que la lucha de las mujeres no tiene fronteras y la liberación de la mujeres trans debe ser central para el movimiento feminista. Solo cuando luchamos por una Amnistía para todos ganáremos un mundo en donde todos podemos lograr nuestros sueños. Sigamos luchando hasta que ganemos una amnistía y liberación para todas las mujeres trans y todos los inmigrantes. Que todo esto de lo que está en la frontera solo sea el recuerdo de una pesadilla. Juntos podemos construir un mundo más justo para todos.
Muchas gracias.