Today, June 28, GLAAD and other LGBT and allied organizations will take part in the 9th annual Trans Day of Action (TDOA), organized by The Audre Lorde Project and TransJustice. Held on the 44th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, this year's rally and march will bring attention to the resiliency of trans and gender non-conforming people of color communities, call for social and economic justice, and raise awareness of the many pressing issues these communities face. Today's rally is not only a celebration and call to action, but a way for individuals to network and meet organization leaders and discuss plans to help in the movement toward full rights and protections for all trans people. The rally will take place at the Christopher Street Pier (Pier 45) in Manhattan, rain or shine.
Forty-four years after the initial Stonewall Riots, transgender people still face enormously high rates of violence and discrimination in mutliple areas of life, including housing, employment, education and in intimate relationships. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) reported that in 2012 transgender women, people of color and gay men faced the most severe violence. The report found that 53.8% of reported anti-LGBTQ homicide victims were transgender women, and 73.1% of all anti-LGBTQ homocide victims were people of color. In 2012, transgender people were 3.32 times as likely to experience police violence compared to non-transgender people, and were 2.46 times as likely to experience physical violence by police compared to white non-transgender people.
Bringing awareness to these issues is a monumental step in reducing and one day eliminating the prejudice that is often directed toward trans people. Trans Day of Action is necessary in this educational process of making people aware that trans people need fair and equal treatment in all sectors of society.
"Trans Day of Action brings attention to critical issues affecting trans people, particularly trans people of color," said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz. "GLAAD is proud to march alongside the Audre Lorde Project and many other organizations calling for an end to violence faced by trans people while celebrating the vibrant trans community."
Find out more information on today's rally and march in NYC! There are also trans marches and rallies happening today in San Francisco and Seattle.
To reach the Christopher Street Pier (Pier 45) by subway, take the 1 train to Christopher Street or the A/C/E/L train to 14th Street.
GLAAD is proud to endorse and participate in the Trans Day of Action again this year. See GLAAD's coverage of TDOA in 2012, 2011, and 2010.
