Thousands of supporters came out for the second annual Trans Resistance March and Vigil for Black Trans Lives, organized and hosted by Trans Resistance MA, on Saturday, June 12.
The march began in Roxbury’s Nubian Square and headed over to the Franklin Park Playstead, where local and national artists performed, dozens of community organizations set up tables and booths, and everyone listened to rousing statements from activists and leaders.
The vigil honored the memories of the transgender people killed this year, including a special remembrance of Jahaira DeAlto — the beloved community leader of Boston and The Berkshires, and ballroom legend of the House of Balenciaga, who was killed in May.
Chastity Bowick, executive director of the Transgender Emergency Fund, delivered the keynote, and Trans Resistance Founding Director Athena Vaughn announced that Boston Mayor Kim Janey proclaimed June 12 “Jahaira Balenciaga Day” to honor Jahaira DeAlto
“We are here to take over these streets because they belong to us. Today is our day and nobody else’s. Look around you. This is what community looks like. This is what diversity looks like. This is what inclusion looks like,” Bowick told the crowd, reported the Boston Globe.
Reported the Globe:
Activists in a pickup truck led the procession as music by Whitney Houston, Nicki Minaj, and Megan Thee Stallion blared on loud speakers. Many marchers wore pink and blue, the colors of the transgender pride flag. People also wore the colors of the rainbow, symbolizing the diversity of the LGBTQ community, and clothing supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support one another. We have nothing to lose but our chains,” the crowd recited in one chant. …
At Franklin Park, tents were set up for about a dozen organizations who support the Black and queer community. Fenway Health distributed brochures, informational cards, and stickers with pronouns on them for people to display how they identify at its booth.
“We think it’s important to show up and be here for our community, because this is the community we are designed to serve,” said Steph deNormand, manager of the Trans Health program at Fenway Health. “We know it’s difficult for them to find health care tailored to them so the main goal is to make sure people know that we’re here, and here to care for them.”
“We showed up for Black trans lives and we made our voices heard,” posted Trans Resistance MA on their Facebook page. “This is not the end. We will keep making noise until Black trans lives are given the power and honor they deserve.”
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