The 10th Annual Trans Latinx March in NYC Gathered to Fight for Equality
NYC community members gather each year to support trans latinx rights with this year's emphasis on sex worker and immigrant rights.
On August 2, 2021, community members gathered in Corona, Queens to advocate on behalf of transgender rights. Organizations including the Trans Immigrant Project (TRIP) and Make the Road New York helped sponsor the event to bring awareness to injustices that have impacted the community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no marching, but the group gathered in the plaza. There were stories shared and performances by members of the transgender community.
Make the Road New York, a progressive non-profit organization in Brooklyn, explained the purpose of the “march”, which included: Dismantling New York Police Department (NYPD) vice units that target and criminalize trans women of color, decriminalizing sex work, and providing citizenship for immigrants.
This is a major annual event that advocates to stop detention of trans people, end transphobic violence, and demand an end to discrimination. According to Make the Road New York, the trans latinx march has been going on for 10 years and has grown from a small community march to a major annual event. At the event, there were signs that displayed the image of Roxsana Hernandez. On May 25, 2018, Roxsana Hernandez was a Honduran transgender woman who died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at only 33 years old. Additionally, the Biden-Harris administration was pressed to improve the conditions of immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
A banner was hung on the 7 Train subway line that goes across Northern Queens. The banner’s message was loud and clear, “Dismantle NYPD Vice Units, protect sex workers, citizenship for all.” Stories were shared and people gathered to speak out against discrimination.
This event exposes the injustices and inequalities that still exist within our immigration system. Additionally, it addresses how the transgender community is specifically targeted. As more people speak out against the injustices, more stories are being revealed. With signs that say, “Existence is Resistance” and “Trans-liberation now”, the message of hope and resilience was clear.