For Decades, Trans People Have Helped Lead the Fight Against Sexual Violence

"Frances Thompson, a Black disabled woman, testified before Congress about her experience of being raped during the Memphis Massacre of 1866, contributing to the passage of the 14th Amendment."

"For decades, trans people, queens, butches, and other gender-nonconforming individuals in the U.S. have resisted sexual violence through activism, storytelling, and community support."

The Trump administration has used the narrative of sexual violence to scapegoat immigrants and trans individuals, particularly women and transfeminine people. This narrative reframes these marginalized groups as perpetrators rather than victims, perpetuating a cycle of victim-blaming. Despite this, there has been a long history of resistance from trans individuals and gender-nonconforming people, who have fought against sexual violence through various means, including policy advocacy and personal testimonies. Frances Thompson's testimony in 1866 exemplifies this resistance, contributing to the passage of the 14th Amendment.

Read at Truthout