Don’t shame BLACK trans people into voting

As we approach the 2020 Presidential election, The Marsha P. Johnson Institute believes it is imperative to ensure BLACK transgender people are aware of their right to vote. The outcome of this election will determine the trajectory of this country and, along with it, will determine the pathway towards a more just and equitable world for BLACK transgender people.

We do not shame BLACK transgender people about voting, as we know that we share an experience that is not always welcome to fit into the society we live in. We do not believe that voting is the winning tactic however we do know that it is a tool that can be used to make political change. We do not wish to give validity to a system that forced our ancestors to fight for equal voting rights, yet we honor and stand on their shoulders to call for radical change that will create a system fit for BLACK people.

Voting is a right — this is an opportunity for BLACK transgender people to exercise rights that have been guaranteed to any citizen of this country. The goal of this message is this: if voting is something that is important to you, we are happy to provide you with the proper information and guidelines as to how to do that safely.

ISSUES IMPORTANT TO THE INSTITUTE

The Marsha P. Johnson Institute is dedicated to protecting and defending the human and civil rights of BLACK transgender people. Since our work was founded in the deaths of BLACK trans women, each of our issues are based in creating a more safe and just world for BLACK trans women to live and thrive. Here are the issues we are focusing on during this election:

• Reproductive justice
• Gun violence/safety
• Access to healthcare
• Housing instability
• Bankless employment

So then we must ask, where does each candidate stand on these issues?

These are issues that the majority of America is facing right now, BLACK transgender people often living at the margins understand this as a frequent reality. Even within the limitations of typical election years due to COVID-19, neither candidate has spoken directly to BLACK transgender people’s issues at any debate.

We found that the Democratic Party Platform includes protections of rights of the LGBTQ community. We found that with the adoption of the 2016 Presidential Platform, the Republican Party does not address any issues impacting the LBGTQ community.

We are more than conversations about using bathrooms. We are more than conversations full of pity or ploy. We are powerful beings, and we are willing to hold anyone accountable who does not respect that power and those who do not honor our lives.

Therefore, we know that this world can do better by/towards BLACK transgender people. Any BLACK transgender person who wishes to exercise your right to vote — we got you.

Link(s)

• 2020 Democratic Party Platform (Dense reading)Use Ctrl+F (Find) in order to search “LGBTQ”
• 2020 Republican Party Platform (Dense reading) You will not find “LGBTQ” (or other variations) in the doc
• Anti-LGBTQ Trump Actions and Pronouncements (Dated/bulleted list)19 pages. Provided by NCAVP.
• Unpacking Kamala Harris’s Record on Trans and Sex Work Issues — Them (Reminder: Kamala Harris is running for Vice President. Her powers will be limited in the scope of this role.)
• 100 Days Out: 50 Trump Attacks and 50 Ways Biden Will Help the LGBTQ Community — HRC (Accessible list) Easy to navigate via direct link

Though we are a national organization, our demands are directed towards all members of government, all electoral candidates, and all of those who hold/inform decision-making when it comes to the election process.

Photo Credit: Hatnim Lee

DEMANDS

GUARANTEED SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE ACCESS TO CAST VOTE

• Early voting
• Eliminate threat or risk of physical violence
• Mail-in ballots
• Extension of acceptance time due to pandemic
• Make Election Day a national holiday

RETURN OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR ALL INCARCERATED OR FORMERLY INCARCERATED

• Abolition of the 13th Amendment
• No poll tax (as instated in Florida, for example)
• Most incarcerated people pay taxes if they “work”

FULL REINSTATEMENT OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965

• Prohibit any voting qualifications or prerequisites to voting
• Respect the 15th Amendment
• Uphold Section 11

We encourage all who wish to vote, to do so with an informed vote, and to consider the needs of your community.

WEBINAR: Black & Trans at the Polls

Thursday, October 29th // 6–7:30 p.m. ET

Register HERE

PURPOSE

In this interactive webinar, we will discuss the following:

• How to vote, what are the general voting rights
• What you may experience as a BLACK transgender person
• Supporting BLACK transgender people at the polls
• Post-the vote and the vision we have for a better world

This space is open to all who believe in the human rights of Black transgender people and wish to know more about voting as a tool of shifting power for/to Black transgender people.

MARSHA P. JOHNSON INSTITUTE IS FISCALLY SPONSORED BY SOCIAL GOOD, INC. WE ARE UNABLE TO ENDORSE ANY PARTICULAR CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL PARTY. THIS CAMPAIGN IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

#ThrowTheBrick

This is a disruption. This is a building block. This is a movement. The Marsha P. Johnson Institute endorses the survival of BLACK trans people. As the pandemic continues, BLACK trans people need to do everything we can to journey on. The system as it stands was never built to benefit us, so BLACK trans people need to #ThrowTheBrick in any way that will benefit us. Whether that means focusing on fulfilling basic needs for you and your community, getting to the polls or taking it to the streets, do what you need to do.