2020 Has Been the Most Deadly Year for Trans People Yet. But We Persevere.
Today we remember the trans warriors who are no longer with us physically, but whom we carry in our hearts. 2020 brings the highest record of reported violent deaths of transgender, two-spirit, and gender non-conforming people we have ever seen — 37. The majority of those lost were Black and Latinx transgender women.
Today we say their names and thank them for living their fight:
And all those lost whose names we don’t know
These names do not include those lost to suicide, overdoses, HIV, or other deaths inflicted on us by society.
As trans and gender variant people, it can often feel like the world is crushing us. The violence facing our community is systemic regardless of whether it was inflicted upon us by others or ourselves.
Trans people are not born suicidal — we are born with the will to live and we sustain that will for as long as we can in a world that tells us every day we should not exist. Every day is a fight. Every day is a feat.
The heteropatriarchy tries to crush us, but we have always been here. And we will always be here. We, some of the world’s most incredible gifts, are here to stay. Each of our presence makes the world a better place.
We’ve gotten to know many amazing trans people through our work at Qwear.
We’ve come to see that being trans is a superpower, allowing people to transcend to a higher version of themselves, and in doing so, helping everyone look inward and think about the person they would like to become.
Having been forced to assume a role that is foreign to us, we’ve developed creative coping strategies to survive, through fashion, art, music, and all types of expression. As a result, our creativity knows no bounds. Our love knows no bounds. Trans people are some of the most loving, caring, people I’ve ever met. We are connected to each other through the 6th sense our experiences have given us, that bonds us for life. We take care of each other. We cook for each other. We share our resources to keep one another alive.
Today, as we remember all the incredible lives lost, we may feel overwhelming sadness and despair. If we knew one of the names on the list, or one of the many names who didn’t make it to the list, we may be completely overcome with despair, grief, anger, and hopelessness. Being in the most dangerous spike of a deadly pandemic only exemplifies this despair, as we are surrounded by loss and unable to see one another physically.
But we are not alone. We have one another. We have the spirit of those lost too soon in our souls. We must continue to envision a world where we are all free, and continue fighting for that world. Even if that just means making it through the day.
Support your trans siblings today. Every donation you give to Qwear today will go directly to our trans, two-spirit, gender non-conforming, and intersex people of color in need, so those who are hungry can eat dinner tonight.
If you have a little something to give, whether it be $10 or $20, please donate:
With much love,
Sonny & Rupi
Cover Photo by NBC News
