Black Trans Advocacy: Policy, Protection, and Collective Action

Black trans folx are among the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community and have faced systemic oppression for decades. National statistics consistently highlight the disproportionate barriers encountered in healthcare access, employment, and housing. Additionally, Black transgender women continue to be at heightened risk of violence, accounting for 50% of reported transgender homicide victims. The death of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old Black transgender man in New York, further exemplifies the extreme and often fatal violence Black trans individuals face.

This crisis is exacerbated by a wave of recent Executive Orders that threaten to erode protections for transgender communities, creating increased uncertainty and fear. Now, more than ever, the work of organizations such as the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, Lambda Legal, ACLU, PFLAG, TGI Justice Project, and the Transgender Law Center are critically important. These organizations are actively resisting the erasure of transgender people and providing tangible resources to ensure community members remain connected, informed of their rights, and equipped to organize and mobilize.

However, the responsibility to create change does not rest solely on the shoulders of these organizations. There is work we can all do to increase visibility, awareness, and action in support of Black trans communities:

1. Advocate for Policy & Legal Protections – Support anti-discrimination laws, healthcare protections, and policies that combat the criminalization of Black trans individuals.
2. Fund & Support Black Trans-Led Organizations – Financially contribute to and uplift initiatives created and led by Black trans people.
3. Improve Workplace & Institutional Inclusion – Ensure trans-inclusive hiring practices, leadership development, and workplace protections.
4. Challenge Anti-Blackness in LGBTQ+ Spaces – Recognize and actively address the racism and exclusion Black trans people face within the broader LGBTQ+ movement.
5. Support Community Healing & Joy – Invest in mental health resources, safe spaces, and opportunities for Black trans people to thrive.

Meaningful change requires collective action. By committing to these steps, we move beyond performative allyship and into the realm of true advocacy.

For those looking to take actionable steps within their workplaces, institutions, or community spaces, we offer consulting services that focus on policy development, training, and institutional transformation. If you’re ready to move beyond words and into action, let’s connect.