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april 25, 2020 newsletter
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Coalition Against Trans Antagonism’s work is conducted on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, which include the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, & Səl̓ílwətaɁɬ nations (colonially known as vancouver, canada). CATA seeks to work in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in the struggle for autonomy and self-determination.
our mission is to identify and challenge oppressive ideologies and practices within (and not limited to) governmental bodies, non-profits, academia, unions, community organizations, and individuals, to reduce and eliminate the harms experienced by trans and trans sex worker communities.
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online peer support every Sunday!
hi folks. wow. which episode of black mirror was this one? we’re now at about one month of physical distancing and self-isolation (at least out here on the northern west coast) and it’s proven to take a toll on people’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
as we come to terms with reality (and it’s okay if we haven’t, yet), we’re learning to be more gentle with ourselves and focus on what’s in front of us, one day at a time. this moment is an opportunity for us to really reflect on and determine for ourselves what truly matters in life – right now and beyond.
we’ve quickly realized the importance and necessity of connection and being in the presence of community. that’s why every Sunday we’ll be hosting a drop-in online for trans people by trans people. come for peer support, help navigating resources, or just to hang out and say hi! our next one is in a few days – please spread the word!
SUNDAYS
3:00pm – 5:00pm PST
via Zoom
to join the drop-in: click here to register so that you will receive the login info.
click here for the facebook event page, click ‘going’, invite your friends, & reshare!
safer space guidelines:
- this event is a safer space. we recognize that oppression exists everywhere, and that we cannot guarantee safe spaces, only that we can make them safer by recognizing, understanding, challenging, and transforming oppressive ideas and behaviours.
- participants are encouraged to give care to themselves and engage in this space in ways that works for them; no one expects folks to do anything they don’t want to do.
- please understand that Zoom is known for security risks; use discretion and caution when sharing personal information.
- this event is for all trans people.
- organizers are bound by the Mission, Vision & Basis of Unity of the Coalition Against Trans Antagonism and reserve the right to remove anyone who is disruptive, breaches the safer space guidelines, and/or creates an unsafe environment.
accessibility info:
- we are working on securing ASL interpretation. if you require this service, please give us a minimum of three days notice before the session you plan to attend.
- active listeners will be available and can use the break-out room function on Zoom to have more 1-on-1 conversations.
for more information &/or to make accessibility requests: email us at noterfsnoswerfs@pm.me.
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your help is still needed!
thank you so much for your generosity and support – be it sharing this fundraiser, donating, or both. as many emergency funds have closed or are turning folks away, we now have a growing waitlist of folks who need money for their survival. we’re also currently in conversations with trans-led groups and organizations in Central and South America who are in great need of financial support to run their mutual aid projects.
OTrans Guatemala is currently seeking to raise $1,500 CAD to distribute 500 care packages in rural Guatemala, while Red Comunitaria Trans in Bogotá, Columbia have a fundraising goal of over $40,000 CAD to house 300 trans women who are sex workers – so that they can quarantine for 20 days without having to go out and work (that’s $7/day per person).
by now, we’ve exhausted our personal networks, many of whom are also experiencing precarious financial situations.
this is where we need you to step in. we’re asking you to reach out to people in your own lives and networks to ask them to share our fundraiser – and to donate if they can. last week, one of our members reached out indiviudally to each person on their facebook friend’s list and was able to generate $600!
we know that mutual aid is about more than just charity, and at the same time, we have also heard from Black and Indigenous trans women and trans sex workers that one of the top things they need most right now is money so that they can make the choices they need to make to be well and survive.
thank you again for your support, this literally wouldn’t be possible without you.
to donate to the fund: send e-transfers to noterfsnoswerfs@pm.me or via paypal or through our gofundme (please note gofundme takes a cut for each donation).
applications are accepted on a rolling basis
if you are a trans person in need of assistance of any kind, please fill out this form to access the funding and/or resources. we’re experiencing a back-log due to limited people power, but we still want to help! if you know someone who needs support, direct them to the Trans Resiliency Fund.
apply today/for more information:
bit.ly/TransRF
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volunteers needed!
so far, CATA members have contributed over 100 admin hours to the Trans Resiliency Fund and we’re running out of steam!
are you looking for something to do to pass the time? want to help people? or just plain ol’ bored? we’re in need of volunteers! volunteers will be identifying and collecting resources for trans people who have made non-monetary requests for support in the fund. skills in spreadsheets, research, and documentation are assets, but what’s most important is a willingness to try new things and learn 🙂
email us for more info! noterfsnoswerfs@pm.me
action alert!
Solidarity Car Demo for Prisoners in Maple Ridge
“On Sunday April 26, from 12-2 PM we invite you to join us in Maple Ridge, to honk your horns, make noise and wave signs, and show people inside that they are not forgotten. We will start the caravan at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre and end at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women.”
for more info click here
Letter writing campaign for economic justice in the COVID-19 response plan!
join sex workers in Victoria to push for solutions for sex workers in BC and Canada! instructions & sample templates here (folks are encouraged to use these templates to send to politicans and decision-makers in their own respective regions).
click here for the templates
cancel rent! at the beginning of the month, over a million people will either not pay their rent, or go into debt to pay it.
by pledging to not pay your rent (whether you’re able or not), you help do two things: put pressure on governments to suspend rent for everyone, and protect the most vulnerable tenants from being evicted.
for a strike to be successful, unity is key. we need to overwhelm the system, forcing governments to negotiate, and forcing landlords to turn their frustrations on the banks, not on their tenants. there is strength in numbers, and our power comes from our unity.
pledge today and help us gain the critical mass necessary to provide affordable housing for all.
Sex Workers Outreach Project Sacramento is Calling all California Sex Workers!
“If you are a sex worker who has lost income due to the COVID-19 virus please fill in the survey, we are working with the legislature to get you funding!”
read more & sign the petition here: click here for the survey
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community news
AUSTIN – The Problem with Using “TERF” by Laura Izaguirre
“I have a problem with the term “TERF” (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist). It’s not a slur — never has been, never will be. It’s an attempt to describe a subset of bigoted women wearing masks of lesbianism to hide their hate filled bitter hearts. This group certainly needs a label, one that draws attention to these slaves of the patriarchy as they work against the best interests of women globally.
My problem: TERF is not an accurate descriptor. Let’s break it down to see why.”
read the rest of the article here.
CANADA – Sex workers say they have been left out of Canada’s COVID-19 response
“Many sex workers in Canada either do not qualify for the federal government’s Canadian Emergency Response Benefit or they are afraid to apply.
Many people believe sex work is decriminalized in Canada and only criminal for those who purchase it, but this is a misunderstanding of the law, says Jenn Clamen, national co-ordinator of the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform.
There are provisions in the Criminal Code that make workers immune from prosecution, but not from arrest.
“That means sex work is still criminalized for everybody,” she said.”
read the rest of the article here
PANAMA – Receipt of complaints about alleged violations of the human rights of trans people
“In Panama, women and men can only go out on certain days, leaving trans people to be policed for their gender expression and gender identity.
“The Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Panama, from April 1, 2020 to date, has received eight (08) reports on alleged human rights violations against trans people, mostly related to ill-treatment by units of the National Police. This, within the framework of the provision adopted by the State, to allow the movement of women and men on different days, as a measure to mitigate the effects of the CoViD-19 pandemic.”” (translated via google)
read the article translated to English here and/or read the original article in Spanish here
JAPAN – Japan is offering sex workers financial aid. But they say it’s not enough to survive the coronavirus pandemic
“After some controversy, sex workers are eligible to apply for aid, under certain conditions — a move some activists have hailed as a sign of progress for an industry that has long suffered social stigma.
But for many sex workers, the package offers little reassurance — and its rules for eligibility seem opaque and restrictive. Some aren’t sure how to apply for benefits without effectively outing themselves.”
read the rest of the article here
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community resources
here are some resources that may be useful, as well as opportunities to provide mutual aid:
Free Activities to Mitigate Coronisolation
click here for the list!
Saige Food Bank & Community Kitchen (Vancouver)
** DELIVERY ONLY AFTER MAY 8TH **
“The Saige Community Food bank is a food bank that provides a no barrier safe space for transgender and gender non-conforming or queer individuals to access healthy food, as well as support from their LGBTQ2+ peers and allies. It is also open to any individuals in need of food, or that cannot access government food banks because of barriers such as ID, lack of housing, income or other specifics needed to be accepted.”
for more information click here
BC COVID-19 Mental Health Network
“There are over 70 counsellors volunteering their time to help those affected by the epidemic. We will need more counsellors as well as resources are depleted, so please consider contributing your time.”
to find a counsellor or to volunteer as one: email bccovidtherapists@gmail.com
for more information click here
Financial Support During COVID for Folks in BC
click here for the document created for folks in so-called British Columbia
Sex Workers of Winnipeg Action Coalition (SWWAC) Fund
“After the arrival of Covid-19 in Manitoba, many sex workers lost their income overnight and do not qualify for government assistance. When faced with homelessness or not being able to put food on the table, sex workers may see no other option than to continue working despite the risks of not practicing social distancing. We want to help ensure that no sex worker in Winnipeg has to choose between risking exposure to Covid-19 or being able to pay their bills.”
click here to donate
to access the fund: email swwac@sexworkwinnipeg.com
Emergency Fund for Sex Workers in Ottawa & Gatineau
“POWER is launching an Emergency Fund to provide sex workers with financial support. We know this is not much and is not enough to help with major costs like rent, but we are hoping to assist sex workers in the Ottawa-Gatineau area who could use this!”
to donate: send e-transfers to powerottawa@gmail.com (pw: POWER) as well as cheques
click here to access the fund
Philadelphia Sex Worker Relief Fund
“Since many sex workers are unable to transition to online work to meet basic needs such as rent, food and shelter, Project SAFE and Philadelphia Red Umbrella Alliance (PRUA) are joining together to raise funds. Project SAFE assists and advocates for street based sex workers who use drugs and PRUA is a collective focused on broader needs and support for all types of sex workers. Both are worker led.”
click here to donate
to access the fund: email philaswfund@gmail.com
UndocuTrans Stimulus Fund
“Introducing the UNDOCUTRANS STIMULUS FUND, a fund organized by Trans-Latinx DMV, a Trans Woman Immigrant Led grassroots organization centering Black & Brown Transgender Latin Americans in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.
In line with many Latin American nations offering stimulus checks to their citizens (such as El Salvador offering $300), this fund is organizing to provide UndocuTrans individuals across the United States with a $350 stimulus check to provide a little bit of support.”
click here to donate
click here to access the fund
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Coalition Against Trans Antagonism