March a Mile in My Shoes
http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/06/26/march-a-mile-in-my-shoes/6/26/09
It's Gay Pride time here in New York City. Specifically, did you know that today is the 5th Annual Trans Day of Action? It's a tradition we started / revived in the queer/trans people-of-color community around here for several reasons.
First, because we felt the need for another annual landmark to celebrate the lives and struggles of living trans people, in contrast to the somber, autumnal Trans Day of Remembrance. Second, because of an old tradition from decades past: gay pride parades that wanted to be "respectable" forbade trans people from marching on Sunday, so trans folks started their own march-in-exile on the Friday before. Third, because every year there is a lot of bull->-bleeped-<- going down that threatens the lives and well-being of trans people, especially those who are marginalized and endangered by poverty, racism, disabilities, criminalization, unjust incarceration, homelessness, immigrant status, and much more. You can read the current list here, which is what the TDOA march was about today
