A Trans History: Time Marches Forward And So Do We

Every day, people question why we advocate for trans rights. “How many trans people are there, really?” we are asked. Or, “Isn’t this just a new niche issue that serves as a distraction from the issues that really matter?”

But trans people have always existed, and our lives have always mattered. And though we have and continue to face rampant discrimination, so too have we built beautiful communities and movements of resistance and love.

Through a collaborative video from the ACLU, Transparent producer and artist Zackary Drucker, Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox and the creative team of Molly Crabapple and Kim Boekbinder, we are telling the story of trans history and resistance.

This video comes on the heels of the President’s tweets seeking to ban transgender individuals from military service and in the midst of continued legislative efforts in states like Texas to ban transgender individuals from public restrooms. The consequences of this discrimination from our government are deadly.

In one comprehensive survey of over 27,000 transgender individuals in 2015, almost one in three respondents reported living in poverty, over half reported being denied health care related to their gender transition, one of every four indicated that they did not seek medical attention at all due to fear of discrimination and more than three of every four reported experiencing harassment in school because they were trans, ultimately leading to 17% of respondents dropping out of secondary school altogether.

All of this contributes to a cycle of discrimination and violence that leads to homelessness, incarceration and ultimately, for many — particularly trans women of color — premature death. Indeed, at least 15 trans people, almost all women of color, have been murdered so far this year in the United States. And two of every five American trans people attempt suicide at least once in their life.

Without accurate information about trans people, our lives and our rich histories, the impulse to push us out of public life will continue. But we continue to tell our vivid, vibrant and critical story of trans resistance. Time marches forward, and so do we.

[turtlesclub]

As a transgender man.. this is beautiful

[princewithadiycrown]

Friendly note for any newcomers in the comments;
Hello! Welcome to the comment section of the video "A Trans History: Time Marches Forward And So Do We". At this point in time (October 2019), the comment section is neatly divided into two sections: the upper half, where you will find the positive comments, and the lower half, where you will find the negative comments. If reading transphobic comments disturbs you or is something you just want to avoid, then the recommended point to stop reading is around where the two random YouTube links are. After that, there are (at this point in time) 4 more positive comments (made by 乇乂ㄒ尺卂ㄒ卄丨匚匚
, Charlie C, catwalk33, and Sybil Holiday), and then the unsavory comments appear. At that point, there are no positive or neutral comments left. Rule of thumb for videos like these: If you see a transphobic comment, that's your time to leave! People tend to upvote nicer comments, leaving harmful remarks at the bottom of the list (assuming you're sorting the comments by top comments).
That's it! Have a nice day and a great LGBT history month (assuming it's still October when you're reading this)!

[eudaimon]

Calling someone crossdressing as trans is idiotic

[MeditatingDuck]

"Resistance is our birthright" i got chills

[brittmillard]

Love this So Stunning the way it was put together Thank U Luckily since coming out I have been accepted.... even Had a 1/2 page article written about me in one off our daily national newspapers I am So Blessed to be a Transgender Woman Come to Australia All trans welcome

[ScorpiO]

This made me cry so much❣️😭🙏🏻🙌🏻💯🫂💙💗🤍🏳️‍⚧️💪🏻✊🏻👊🏻💟

[RaphielHot]

Why nobody talking about niggas in our rappers we glorify with they be saying and they rap the truth until people go up against rappers and niggas we're right. Money over all your lives

[iris]

I'm crying, this beautiful and inspiring and I adore it💞🌈

[wittyjoker]

Losing the ability to identify basic truths is not progress.

[Nhendrix]

trans "women" are still men. trans "men" are still women.

[aaronrosenberg]

Beautiful, artful presentation with an important message.

[grytinatinde]

Great video about the resilience and tough challenges transgender people face

[mikealvord]

There is no justification for the Nashville shooter. None at all. If you justify his bull then you have to justify every individual with any problem that commits an act like this.
If the Trans community thinks this shooter has ANY excuse, reason whatever they are sadly mistaken! Supporting him only hurts you

[deeecks]

I SAY I AM A DIFFERENT GENDER THEREFORE I AM A DIFFERENT GENDER
GIVE ME ATTENTION

[WeakestHater]

lol sounds like someone from south park. (also what is a woman?)

[bongofury]

You got it all wrong, you things.
It enriches “settled gender’s” rights, by keeping the “undecided” categorized.