Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled to protect transgender and queer people from discrimination at work. As a worker justice organization that recognizes the intersections of our struggles, we breathe a sigh of relief and then take a deep breath to acknowledge there is more to do.
We affirm that Black Lives Matter and center the precarity of the lives of Black trans women. We hold of up the names of Ashanti Carmon and Zoe Spears, two Black trans women who were murdered this year just outside of Washington, DC.
On this 51st anniversary of the Stonewall riots and in “pride month,” we recognize that it is the fearless organizing and visibility of and by trans and queer people of color that have led us to this moment.
At DC JWJ, we believe that there is no place for discrimination of queer, trans, and gender nonconforming workers. And of course, simply preventing discrimination is not enough. Workplaces must be welcoming. Policies must reflect our diverse families. Solidarity must include all gender identities and expressions.
We know that our bodies, hearts, and minds are our own, and do not belong to the courts or laws to define. For too long, our legal system has not protected queer and trans people, instead criminalizing and punishing. DC JWJ is proud to stand with the trans women of color who are leading the Decrim Now campaign to decriminalize sex work in Washington, DC.