So, how did the idea of a few people lead to the beauty of the Brooklyn Liberation Rally in 2020? Passion and a lot of promotion through social media channels. Let’s talk about the beauty of the protest that had over 15,000 attendees and was universally known as an incredible action on behalf of organizers.
Let’s start back at the very beginning. 2020 was the year people finally noticed the epidemic of black folks getting shot by the police. Protests in New York City everyday for 2 weeks and NYC even put in a Curfew to prevent “violence” from happening.
The energy of 2020 was pissed. Pissed about having to be inside indefinitely, pissed about the injustices that black folks faced in their interactions with the police, and pissed about the state of the country that chose to let our most vulnerable die just for the hell of it. The anger increased when the Human Rights Campaign reported multiple deaths due to the carceral system (Nina Pop & Tony McDade) and to societal transphobia (Riah Milton, Dominique “Rem’Mie” Fells, Muhlaysia Booker, Chanel Scurlock, and many more.)
The idea was first conceived while [West] Dakota was checking in on their friend, mentor, and fellow drag artist Merrie Cherry. In the wake of the George Floyd protests, the pair had an emotional discussion about how Black trans people are disproportionately victims of police violence — and the irony that attending demonstrations against police brutality can often put them in further danger. Cherry, who is Black, mentioned she would have felt safer attending some of the silent marches she had seen in other states. In the weeks following the conversation, Dakota worked hard and organized to make a march for Black trans lives a reality. Working with former Out deputy editor Fran Tirado, Ms. Foundation director of communications Raquel Willis, Anti-Violence Project director of communications Eliel Cruz, and more, the Brooklyn Liberation March was born.
–HOW WEST DAKOTA’S IDEA BECAME THE LARGEST TRANS MARCH IN HISTORY, Out100 Print 2020
The event was held on June 14th, 2020 on the streets in front of the Brooklyn Museum and over 15,000 people showed up in support of black trans lives. In the video I made for my class, I made a archival documentary of the fight for black trans lives and the incredible footage from Brooklyn Liberation. Dakota had more to say in their Out article about the event.
The Brooklyn Liberation march ended up being the first of many marches that helped to center Black trans lives, including actions in Los Angeles, as well as a now weekly action at Stonewall organized by Joel Rivera and Qween Jean.
Looking back on the tumultuous year, Dakota tells Out that there still have been some wonderful silver linings weaved throughout 2020 [Editor’s note: we spoke to Dakota just before the November elections].
“The slowing down; watching my plants explode with life,” they say. “Witnessing the strength and interconnectedness of my community. Mutual aid. Feeling and sitting with the raw emotion of every moment. Escaping escapism. Practicing mindfulness.” They have continued to be a part of actions though, attending the Stonewall Protests this week.
–HOW WEST DAKOTA’S IDEA BECAME THE LARGEST TRANS MARCH IN HISTORY, Out100 Print 2020
On that day Miss Ceyenne Doroshow spoke and she was blown away by the turnout of the crowd. Her speech was so incredible. It was also this event where she announced that due to recent advocacy, GLITS(Gays and Lesbians living in a Transgender Society” had raised approximately $1 Million. She actually almost collapsed from the revelation. It is such an incredibly moving speech!
I wanted to give my love to all the organizers and speakers who have made the world better for Trans people. That includes Ms. Ceyenne Doroshow, Ms. Raquel Willis, Ms. Cecilia Gentili (Rest In Peace), Mx. Fran Tirado, Mx. West Dakota, Ms. Ianne Fields Stewart, Ms. Qween Jean, Ms. Joela Rivera. You are all my “Trancestors” I take inspiration from your leadership and turn it into action in my community!
I am going to close this post out with a call to action because, Siblings, Mother Ceyenne is in need of our assistance. So as some of you may know, Miss Cecilia passed away this past February.
The Future is G.L.I.T.S! We are raising $1 million dollars for Ceyenne Doroshow, the people’s pope. In a crumbling world, G.L.I.T.S. has been building a thriving transgender society for almost a decade, with material support for the most marginalized within our community.
This past February G.L.I.T.S produced Cecilia Gentili’s historic Saint Patrick’s Cathedral funeral. Transphobic backlash from the Catholic Church resulted in conservative donors pulling nearly $500,000 from G.L.I.T.S’ life sustaining work! In the aftermath of this collective heartbreak and unjust targeting, Ms. Doroshow remains a lighthouse in the storm. G.L.I.T.S insists on building a future where trans people prosper, through: Housing, Education, Wellness, Emergency Response, Harm Reduction, and End of Life Support.
GIVE MOTHER HER FLOWERS! HELP G.L.I.T.S CHANGE THE WORLD!
You can help in 3 ways.
- DONATE to glitsinc.org/donate (link in bio)
- SHARE this post to your stories and use our toolkit to make your own post by going to bit.ly/glits-toolkit
- JOIN US as a money-mover and commit to fundraising through your social media accounts and personal network
- Send a donation on venmo to @bodyhack or on cashapp to $CeyenneDoroshow
Thank you for your time and Happy Pride, to everybody who is reading this! And let’s help mother get her flowers!!! You better!
Finnoula’s corner 