By Honey Mahogany–
Trans women of color and queer women have always been at the forefront of LGBTQ liberation. Back before it was called the Gay Liberation Front, it was Black and Brown trans women, drag queens, and lesbians who led the way and threw those first bricks at Stonewall. People like Stormé DeLarverie, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Sylvia Rivera, and Marsha P Johnson who were much abused, and perhaps had not much more to lose, fought back and helped launch a movement that continues to this day, and is remembered annually at Pride celebrations across the globe.
Queer and trans people have come a long way in this country over the last fifty years; however, today, we are seeing many of the rights and safety measures we have fought so hard for rolled back in an unprecedented legislative onslaught. And as we saw several decades ago, we continue to see queer and trans people of color and women coming together to fight back.
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, thousands of protestors gathered at Columbus Circle to kick-off a Gender Liberation March. The March was organized by a group of queer and trans activists and advocates for bodily autonomy including Raquel Willis, Monica Simpson of SisterSong, Renee Bracey Sherman of WeTestify, Bamby Salcedo of the Trans Latina Coalition, Oluchi Omeoga of the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project, Junior Mintt, Qween Jean, Devin-Norelle, and many, many more.
The event began with a speaking program that focused on calls for bodily autonomy and a rejection of authoritarianism and government overreach. Activists spoke out and made demands for solidarity and a return to evidence-based practices and policies, and called out the fear-mongering and gaslighting that scapegoated our communities for political gain.
After the speaking program, protestors led by NYC-based activist Qween Jean took to the streets and marched to the steps of the Supreme Court where the march paused and more speakers were heard.
The march continued on proudly, moving through the streets of D.C. before reaching its next stop: the Heritage Foundation. It was there that the throng of protesters encountered a truck with speakers and a large sound system set up, and as we arrived, the music began to play, and a vogue and dance battle materialized.
This expression of queer defiance, resilience, and joy on the steps of the Heritage Foundation, an institution that has targeted us and seeks to erase us from history and existence, was incredibly moving. It was powerful and healing and demonstrated that no matter what they throw at us, we will always fight back with everything that we are because … we are not going back.
We can never go back. We will not give up those rights that we have fought so hard for. We will not accept a future where the next generation of queer and trans folks are forced to deny who they are. And with little more than a month left until the upcoming election, we all need to bring this same energy to the streets to ensure that we win.
Honey Mahogany, a San Francisco native with a Master’s in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, is a performer, small business owner, and activist. Her work has earned recognition from the City of San Francisco and various organizations. Mahogany cofounded the San Francisco Transgender District, is a founding queen of Drag Story Hour, co-owner of the Stud Bar, and a singer with nu-metal group Commando. She currently serves as Director of the Office of Trans Initiatives, Chair-Emerita of the San Francisco Democratic Party, and Delegate to the Democratic National Committee.
Trans Action with Honey Mahogany
Published on October 3, 2024
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