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Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a strange and intense year, both for me personally and for so many others as this world has changed significantly. It has been an inspiration to witness the Black Lives Matter movement as it confronts police brutality and to draw wisdom from that. It has been an inspiration to witness the federation of peoples supporting the Standing Rock Tribe as they confront the ecologically suicidal energy policy of this country, and to draw wisdom from that. And we have borne witness to the struggle for freedom and dignity that so many who have been forced to leave their homes in order to escape war, poverty and violence and in the hopes of finding a more open society where they can put down roots. Though, sadly, all refugees find themselves at risk of prejudice and abuse, trans people have found that they experience a unique discrimination and isolation as they cross borders, and find themselves
set apart in detention centers, unable to access medical care and suffering abuse. We continue to gather and hear the stories of trans prisoners who continue to be raped and physically brutalized, in an effort to advocate for their safety and protection and to offer our help. We have seen a year where the laws and policies have changed and shifted, sometimes increasing the civil rights and access to care for trans folks, and sometimes identifying them for
particular discrimination and criminalization through the new “bathroom laws” and local ordinances limiting their protection from job and housing discrimination. The United States has a history of civil rights being fought for and lost in a constant dance of egalitarians confronting bigotry, in all of its many forms. We must remain determined and implacable.
As we prepare for a new administration to influence the massive system of incarceration that holds such a large faction of the population in thrall, we must re-commit ourselves to standing strong for the rights of trans prisoners who will definitely find themselves facing new challenges to the recent changes in healthcare offered to trans prisoners. We must be vigilant and active, so that what few advances have been made are not rescinded. For this reason, it is more important than ever for there to be a lively discussion possible between those who live and work on either side of the walls that separate us. By coming together and building community, by taking the time to develop connection through whatever means of communication are possible – incarcerated trans folks become less vulnerable to attack and our communities (both LGBT and straight) become stronger as we work to connect and
protect each other.
I want to thank all of you who wrote and who organized for supporting incarcerated trans people today. This means so much to me, that I and others like me can be supported. I find great comfort in helping support others who, like me, find themselves attempting to transition in prison. This year has brought a lot of hope for me, as I was finally approved for hormone therapy and began taking testosterone shots on September 14th. The changes have been
subtle, and this will be a long road having been so long delayed – but I am hopeful that within a year, I will be allowed to begin the surgeries I need to be medically re-assigned. But there is no guarantee that this policy will stay in place, and it is imperative for all trans folks to be supported in the kind of health care they need (whatever that may be, not everyone needs the same things or anything at all, other than recognition). I also think that as a community that does prisoner support for our comrades behind bars, that we must make sure that all incarcerated folks have access to healthcare, whether that be trans identity related or not.
I wish so much that I could be more present with you all. It gives me so much hope and strength to know that you are out there for us inside – just as I am here inside for all of you. We are one spirit, many hearts, moving towards freedom and where we will live the dream of the world released from injustice and brutality. I am so proud to be with you today; many, many thanks and I hope to know more of you as we move together towards what 2017 will bring.
Love and solidarity, Marius
2017 Events
England
Bristol 1/20/2017 18:30:00 Hydra Bookshop. On Friday the 20th Bristol ABC will be hosting a film screening of Criminal Queers, with donations going to Action for Trans Health. Come and watch this amazing DIY film, sign a card and find out more about Jan22nd, and about resistance to the prison regime in general! bristol_abc@riseup.net Hydra is wheelchair accessible but there is no disabled toilet unfortunately. https://www.facebook.com/events/231712417279189/
London: 6-7pm Sunday 22 January 2017 Bent Bars Collective will be holding a candle light vigil to honour all trans and gender nonconforming people who have died in prison and all those who are currently incarcerated in prisons, secure hospitals and immigration detention: Gather outside Pentonville Prison, Caledonian Road, London (map) If you would like to speak or read the name of a loved one, please get in touch.
Doncaster, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield
Following the tragic and preventable death of Jenny Swift last month[1] we will be demonstrating outside HMP Doncaster at 4pm after visiting hours. Wrap up warm, bring torches, glow sticks, sparklers, bright things, and things to make noise – we want to be loud enough for the people held inside to hear and let them know they’re not forgotten. Sound systems, loudhalers, drums, pots and pans, anything you can think of!
HMP Doncaster is 22 mins walk from Doncaster train station, well connected by rail. Manchester No Prisons are organising minibuses from Manchester and will be able to shuttle people from the station to the prison and back on the day, Leeds Action for Trans Health are coming from Leeds, Sheffield Action for Trans Health and Queer Agenda Sheffield – QASh are organising lifts from Sheffield. We’ll update with more information about lifts as it becomes avalable – comment on the event if you’re driving and have spaces going. Action for Trans Health
France
Paris
1/22/2017 15:00:00 In Paris we’ll gather in a demonstration to express our solidarity with all trans prisoners. We’ll also claim better access to rights and healthcare to trans prisoners. More than 10 LGBT groups already support this demonstration! actup@actupparis.org
United States
Arkansas
Fayetteville1/22/2017 16:00:00 Transgender Equality Network will be hosting an event to spread awareness on the lives of trans prisoners as well as write letters to this currently incarcerated. http://transeqnet.org/ https://www.facebook.com/events/135559326947198/
California
Oakland: Queers Against Prison presents:A Night of Solidarity with Trans Prisoners
The Night Light: 311 Broadway, Oakland, CA — doors: 7PM bands: 8 -10PM
This show will benefit TGIJP & the ongoing support of ghost ship survivors.
We hope that this JAN 22 will serve as a healing release for many and an opportunity to build our collective strength back up after days of protest & resistance as we prepare for the continued fight ahead.
beautiful bands: Ugly – Late Bloom – Inverts –
$7-20 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds.
21 & over – main bar is accessible, bands are up a flight of stairs. Please be aware of our fragrance free comrades. https://www.facebook.com/queersaginstprison/ https://www.facebook.com/events/345184832503467/
Oakland:1/22 On January 22, we will be driving to Salinas Valley State Prison to visit trans anarcha-feminist prisoner, Jennifer Gann. If you are on her visitor list or anyone else’s at Salinas Valley State Prison let us know and we can help you find a ride! ghosttownprisonersupport@riseup.net
Oakland: 1/26/2017 6:30 Letter writing Ghost Town Prisoner Support will be hosting a letter writing night focusing on trans prisoners from 6:30-9pm. Email [email protected] to RSVP and receive the location. https://www.facebook.com/ghosttownprisonersupport/
Colorado
Denver:4130 Tejon St., 1:00 – 4:00 At this local event, we’ll spend most of the time writing letters of solidarity to trans prisoners. We’ll also be collecting donations for Black and Pink, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA prisoners. Free copies of the International Trans Prisoner Day of Action and Solidarity zine will be available. Come for as long or as little as you like!
Location: The building is physically accessible with no stairs and all-gender restrooms. It’s a shared building, so come in the backside of the building, through the parking lot.
Food: We’ll have some snacks available and encourage you to bring snacks to share if you’d like. If you do bring food, please include an ingredients list for people with dietary restrictions and allergies. This event is free and available to all. https://www.facebook.com/events/1804302899812573/
Durango: Letter writing 2 PM – 5 . Location tba https://www.facebook.com/events/1681021192190787/
Indiana
Bloomington: 6:30 PM – 9pm: Boxcar Books – For the Annual Trans Prisoner Day of Action- initiated by Marius Mason and his supporters last year- we are hosting a poetry reading event in which several local writers will read their own poems and creative writing as well as those of Marius and other trans prisoners. There will be refreshments, cards and other materials for writing prisoners, and prisoners’ artwork. All money raised will be sent directly to Marius (and split with a couple other prisoners if we raise enough!).
Readings by: Bella Bravo, V, Liza, Hannah Thompson, Avery Smith, and more
https://www.facebook.com/events/1890296551202681/
supportmariusmason.org
transprisoners.net
bloomingtonabc.noblogs.org
Evansville, IN 1/18/2017 6:30 pm: The focus of this week’s letter writing night will be supporting trans prisoners. We encourage participants to write to trans people who are incarcerated. We’ll have some names and addresses available for doing so. [email protected]https://www.facebook.com/events/258084687945262/
Michigan
Ann Arbor: letter writing session at 530 Miller Ave in Ann Arbor, MI at 5 pm on 1/22. Lots of vegan savories served.
Minnesota
Saint Cloud: 1/22/2017 Good Earth Food Coop, 6-8pm IWW Chapter Short video screening on being black and trans in prison, letter writing to select trans prisoners and information on the current organizing efforts to abolish prisons and slave labor.
Minneapolis: 1/22/2017 2031 Portland Ave Street. Films screening and event. Info here.
New York
Brooklyn: 1/17/2017: The BASE 7pm sharp, Tuesday, January 17th, 2017
WHERE: The Base – 1302 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11221 (directions below)
NOTE: The Base is on the ground floor, is wheelchair accessible, and has a gender neutral toilet. In honor of the second annual January 22nd Trans Prisoner Day of Action and Solidarity we will be writing letters to anarchist and environmental activist Marius Mason and whistleblower Chelsea Manning. https://nycabc.wordpress.com/2017/01/13/bkny-tuesday-january-17th-letter-writing-dinner-in-solidarity-with-the-trans-prisoner-day-of-action/
North Carolina
Asheville: 1/22/2017 Tranzmission Prison Project will host a short film screening & card ending event to support trans* prisoners. Please join us at Firestorm Cfe from 7pm-9pm. We will provide cards and stamps! tranzmissionprisonproject@gmail.com
Pennsylvania
Philladelphia: 1/22/2017 LAVA Space. 5-7 letter writing party for trans and gender variant prisoners in PA. Free/donations welcome. Snacks provided.
Ohio
Athens: (postponed) 30 first st. Letter writing, Black and Pink penpal signup, video showing, potluck. Free/donations welcome.
Texas
Austin ABC (with your help!) is releasing a zine (vol 2) with art, essays, poetry, and other works entirely comprised by trans prisoners in Texas. All proceeds from this show will be used to cover expenses for shipping and printing the zines, providing financial support to trans prisoners, and other related Austin ABC activity.
Sign up to pre-order the zine at the show or purchase a
hot (non alcoholic) beverage to warm you up to further your donation!
5-9 pm *REMEMBER – Shirley’s Temple is a sober space.*
https://www.facebook.com/ events/383873115293426/
Washington
Seattle 1/22/2017 3:00 Letter writing Join NARN ( Northwest Animal Rights Network ) for our monthly #vegan letter writing party! Ballard Branch of the Seattle Public Library [email protected]https://www.facebook.com/events/1155458091218217/
