Will Another Historic Movement Leave Transgender Women Behind Again?

Black Lives Matter has commanded National attention since May, but the deaths of Black transgender women are barely acknowledged.

As a Trans woman who moonlights as a moderator for high profile streamers that are on the front lines of the Seattle and Portland Black Lives Matter protests, I have witnessed the power of voices unified against a common enemy. I have listened to the chants of names honoring those we’ve lost- brutally and unnecessarily- to the terrifying reality of police brutality. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery- names we all know- or should all know, who were murdered in vicious forms of street justice by authorities.

As a moderator, I have seen people come in and say the most frightful, racist things about the protesters and the movement. I’ve seen viewers express violent desires to see protesters killed, proudly type out racist slurs, usually bookended with “MAGA” or “Trump 2020!” I’ve seen protesters referred to as terrorists, as radical liberals, as haters of America who should be executed. But, it’s the internet, right? People muster unthinkable courage to show their ugliest, most dark thoughts from behind their screen. Even worse is having had to watch these protesters and live streamers endure these same threats from detractors who show up to agitate and…