The Tea December ’24 Newsletter

Welcome to this special December issue of The Tea! As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves holding space for reflection, healing, and powerful practices of self- and community care. For Black transgender, gender-nonconforming, intersex, queer (TGNCIQ) communities, the challenges we’ve faced in 2024 have been immense—with anti-trans legislation, disinformation, and the toll of the recent elections fueling violence against our lives and identities.

Despite these obstacles, we’ve also seen vital victories won through collective action. This year brought crucial expansions in abortion rights, higher wages, and paid sick leave. Voters also secured measures to block public funding for non-public schools, and we’re anticipating promising developments in the fight to end the slavery exception. In a powerful show of LGBTQIA+ solidarity, marriage equality won resoundingly in California, Colorado, and Hawaii, where voters amended their state constitutions to permanently protect same-sex marriage rights. California’s Prop 3 also enshrined the right to marry in the state constitution, ensuring this protection stands, even if the Supreme Court revisits landmark cases.

This issue is all about preparing for the new year by grounding ourselves in the practices that sustain us. We’re diving into ideas about sustainable self-care, collective care, and healing justice, exploring how to carry these practices into 2025. You’ll also find a powerful call to mobilize support for Tamika Spellman, who is currently fighting to protect Grammy’s Place, a Black trans sanctuary in Tarrant, Alabama. Additionally, we have a call to action from M4BL’s Marcus Davis on protecting trans rights; he sheds light on how oppressive policies continue to affect our daily lives—particularly for Black trans youth navigating hostile environments in schools and health care.

Lastly, we are celebrating what fills us with joy and hope, featuring “What We’re Thriving To” as a reminder that joy is revolutionary and choosing it is an act of resistance. From the powerful short film Tajabone, showcasing Black queer French empowerment, to Revolution Is Love, a visual tribute to Black trans liberation in New York City, to the transformative work of Black trans leaders featured in American Problems, Trans Solutions, these picks highlight the resilience, creativity, and revolutionary love that fuel our community’s strength.

Thank you for reading, and for being part of this journey with us. Let’s move forward together, grounded in care and unstoppable in our demand for justice.

Originally published in The Washington Blade
November 4. 2024
By Marcus Davis

Over the past four decades, I’ve witnessed a transformation in our society that once seemed unimaginable. As a child of the 80s, being transgender meant living under a constant shadow of fear, with violence and exclusion always nearby. But we fought back. We organized, we carved out spaces where trans people could live with more freedom.

This fight for recognition and safety has been long and arduous. In 2002, New York passed the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), but transgender people were deliberately left out—a painful compromise that left us exposed. I remember the mixture of hope and frustration during those years, as I attended my first community meetings and rallies. Our focus shifted to passing the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). Each legislative delay was a stark reminder that our rights were not a priority. For Black trans people like myself, the stakes were even higher, as we navigated multiple layers of discrimination without legal protection.

GENDA finally passed in 2019, but that victory came after years of being told our safety and dignity were negotiable. Now, as anti-trans laws sweep the country, I feel that familiar shadow looming again. These bills banning gender-affirming care, forcing schools to out trans students, and criminalizing our existence aren’t just policy decisions—they’re calculated efforts to erase us, to drive us back into fear and silence. The darkness we thought we’d escaped is closing in, and this time, it’s targeting our youth.

As a trans person working at the forefront of racial justice with the Movement for Black Lives, I have witnessed how anti-trans laws amplify the oppression already faced by the most vulnerable members of our community. This fight is more than a cause for me, it is about protecting the lives and futures of my community, my family, and myself. Here I want to simply say: To every trans person feeling the weight of these laws, feeling isolated or afraid; You are not alone. You are part of a legacy of resilience, of beauty, of revolution. Your life is precious, your identity is valid, and your future is worth fighting for. Together, we will weather this storm. Together, we will build the world we deserve—a world where every one of us can stand in the fullness of our identities, unafraid and unapologetic. Our freedom is bound up together, and together, we will win.

ERASING OUR EXISTENCE: THE BATTLE IN EDUCATION

Imagine Aisha, a 14-year-old trans girl in South Carolina, navigating a school system shaped by current anti-trans laws. Under H.3730, passed by the Republican-controlled House and signed into law by the Republican governor, Aisha’s daily life at school has become a minefield. Each day, she enters a classroom where her teachers are legally bound to deny her identity. The simple act of asking to be called by her chosen name could trigger a mandatory report to her family, exposing her to rejection and isolation at home. Even her allies, teachers who might have offered comfort, are forced into silence, unable to provide the affirmation and protection she so desperately needs. The school, once a place of potential, has become a space of fear and surveillance.

Now imagine Aisha is also Black. The weight of these laws compounds with the systemic racism she might also be facing. For Aisha, each classroom can become a minefield where both her gender and racial identities can be scrutinized or challenged. These laws don’t just isolate; they amplify existing prejudices, embolden discrimination, and silence allies. They broadcast a clear message to students like Aisha: You are not welcome here.

A matter of life and death: The healthcare battlefield

For Aisha and thousands of trans youth like her, healthcare isn’t just about feeling seen—it’s a lifeline. Gender-affirming care, particularly puberty blockers, gives young trans people the time and space to explore their identities safely, delaying the permanent physical changes that come with puberty. This care offers trans youth the gift of a pause, preventing the distress of their bodies developing in ways that don’t align with their gender. But across the country, these lifelines are being cut. In states like South Carolina, laws banning puberty blockers for minors are leaving young people trapped in bodies they cannot recognize or accept.

For young people like Aisha, the barriers to care are even more devastating. Already navigating a healthcare system rife with racial bias, Black trans people often struggle to access affirming care. Now, with these bans, even that limited access is being stripped away. Without puberty blockers, Aisha is forced to endure the changes of puberty that feel alien and distressing, deepening her sense of isolation. These laws don’t just deny treatment—they send a message that her identity is something to be punished, not supported.

The consequences are deadly. Transgender youth already face alarmingly high rates of mental health challenges, with studies showing that over half of trans teens have seriously considered suicide. Yet, access to gender-affirming care dramatically reduces this risk. According to research from the Trevor Project, trans youth who receive gender-affirming care are significantly less likely to attempt suicide compared to those who want care and are unable to access it. Lawmakers who strip away this care are not just endangering the well-being of these young people, they are pushing them toward life-threatening crises. For Black trans youth, who often lack strong support networks, the denial of care can push them to the edge. This is not just a political debate—it’s a matter of survival.

Our resilience is our strength

In the face of this relentless onslaught, it would be easy to lose hope. But trans people, especially Black trans people, have always lived in defiance of the systems designed to erase us. Our very existence is an act of resistance.

But resistance alone is not enough. We don’t resist just to make a point—we resist because our lives depend on it. We resist because we envision a world where trans children can grow up without fear, where Black trans lives are valued and protected, where our identities are celebrated rather than criminalized.

To build this world, we—trans people and our allies—must transform challenge into change. We must convert our anger into action. Every time they try to erase us from classrooms, we show up louder and prouder in our communities. Every time they attempt to deny us healthcare, we fight harder for universal access to affirming care. Every time they try to silence us, we speak our truths more boldly.

We cannot afford silence. We’ve come too far, fought too hard, and have too much at stake to back down now. Our health is non-negotiable. Our education is our right. Our lives are sacred. And we will continue to fight, to love, to thrive, not in the shadows, but in the full light of day.

Marcus Davis is the Director of Integrated Technology at the Movement for Black Lives, where he oversees cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure to support nationwide movement building and community empowerment.

GROUNDING IN RADICAL SELF-CARE

Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. When the world feels heavy, remember that taking care of your body, mind, and spirit is an act of resistance. This could mean setting time aside each day for meditation, finding moments to journal your thoughts, or prioritizing rest as a sacred practice. Finding joy in creativity, connecting with nature, or even allowing yourself space to simply be can serve as grounding forces against external challenges. Radical self-care is about reclaiming the time and space that systems of oppression often try to deny us. Wanna start now? Here are 20 powerful affirmations for TGNCI folks.

GROUNDING IN RADICAL SELF-CARE

COLLECTIVE CARE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

While self-care is essential, we don’t have to do this alone. Collective care reminds us that we’re interconnected, and through that bond, we find strength. Consider joining or forming support groups, local organizations, community circles, or online spaces where you can share, listen, and uplift one another. Collective care can also take the form of organizing mutual-aid efforts, advocating for inclusive local policies, or offering emotional support to friends. Solidarity fuels our resilience, helping us hold each other up and reminding us that we’re not isolated in this fight.

COLLECTIVE CARE AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

CENTERING HEALING JUSTICE

Healing justice recognizes that the impacts of systemic violence on Black queer and trans folks cannot be undone by self-care alone. It is a movement that asks us to confront the trauma inflicted by oppression and advocate for healing on a larger scale. This could mean creating safe spaces for collective healing, seeking out mental-health resources specific to Black queer and trans communities, or practicing restorative justice within our networks. Healing justice allows us to address the root causes of our struggles rather than just the symptoms, pushing for a world where our healing is valued as much as our resistance.

CENTERING HEALING JUSTICE

BUILDING RESILIENCE AGAINST MISINFORMATION

A core part of our well-being involves guarding against the constant onslaught of misinformation (false information not intended to cause harm but that can have such an effect anyway) and disinformation (false information that is used to purposely manipulate, damage, and guide people in ill-intended directions) about our lives and identities. In 2024, narratives about trans communities were hijacked and used as political ammunition, often twisting our truths to fit damaging agendas. One powerful form of care is educating ourselves and our communities about the realities of anti-trans rhetoric, equipping ourselves with the tools to challenge it, and creating spaces where our stories are told accurately and without distortion. Check out past issues of The Tea or tap in with folks like Black Trans Media for narratives that counter misinformation and uplift authentic stories.

BUILDING RESILIENCE AGAINST
MISINFORMATION

CULTIVATING BLACK TRANS JOY AND CELEBRATION

In the face of ongoing challenges, finding joy in who we are and celebrating our identities is profoundly healing. Celebration is an act of reclamation; it’s a way of asserting that our lives are beautiful and that our existence is powerful. Create traditions that honor yourself and your community, whether that’s gathering with friends, taking up a new hobby, or spending time in spaces that allow you to express yourself freely. Let joy be both your fuel and your refuge.

CULTIVATING BLACK TRANS JOY AND CELEBRATION

As we transition into the new year, let us hold these practices close, remembering that caring for ourselves and each other is essential to our liberation. Our existence is not up for debate, and no law or politician can diminish the strength and worth of our communities. By prioritizing self-care, embracing collective support, and standing firm in our truth, we create a world where our future is not only possible but celebrated. Thank you for joining us in this journey, and here’s to a new year rooted in care, resilience, and the unbreakable power of community.

As we continue to face an unprecedented rise in anti-trans legislation across the country, the South, in particular, has become a battleground where racial tensions and anti-trans policies are colliding in devastating ways. In Alabama, this struggle is felt by Tamika Spellman, founder of Grammy’s Place, a critical sanctuary for Black trans women in Tarrant.

This past October, Tamika found herself on the frontlines of this fight when local authorities, responding to an emergency medical visit, initiated an unwarranted attack on the very sanctuary she built for Black women of trans experience. Code-enforcement officials descended on Grammy’s Place, falsely accusing them of violating local occupancy codes, and threatening the future of a space that provides life-saving housing and support. This attack comes on the heels of the escalating anti-trans laws designed to criminalize and silence trans communities—compounded by the racialized and divisive political climate in the region, especially as the 2024 elections fueled heightened animosity and fear-mongering around gender and racial identity.

What should have been a moment of compassion became yet another example of the violence and marginalization Black trans people face daily. Grammy’s Place, a vital community-support space, has become a target simply for existing as a sanctuary in a state where Black trans lives are under constant threat. The accusations against Tamika and her home are part of a broader pattern of state violence that seeks to erase Black trans leadership and resistance at a time when communities of color in the South are already grappling with the harmful effects of both racial discrimination and anti-trans laws.

This fight is urgent.

We are calling on all allies, organizers, and advocates to help ensure that Grammy’s Place continues to be a safe space for Black trans women. Whether through legal resources, direct support (like donating to their GoFundMe), or helping to connect with local organizers in Tarrant, Alabama, we need your solidarity.

The fight for sanctuary is part of the larger struggle for racial justice and Black trans liberation. The stakes are high, and we must act now to protect these vital spaces that provide community, safety, and empowerment in the face of systemic oppression.

To offer support or learn more, reach out to: tamikahs66@gmail.com

In each issue of The Tea, we share “What We’re Vibin’ To” from the Black LGBTQIA+ community. But as we close out a year filled with challenges, resilience, and powerful moments of collective care, we’re flipping the script—this time, it’s all about “What We’re Thriving To.” In a world that tries to wear us down, we choose to celebrate what fills us up, lifts our spirits, and strengthens our joy. Here are our top picks that keep us thriving, not just surviving, as we head into the new year.

A transcendental parade of Black French queer empowerment
Source: NOWNESS

“Tajabone is a short film about the French Black queer community taking pride in who they are, what they have achieved, and embracing the bodies they are in. Wearing leopard-print leotards that embody their fierce dancing styles, the stars of Tajabone use their bodies to explore the fragility, strength, and conviction at the heart of a community bonded by radical self-expression. Each dancer uses their body to tell a personal story and represent their identity.

Tajabone takes its name from a unique tradition in Senegal, ten days after Tamkharit, or Islamic New Year. In the evening, after a day spent feasting and visiting friends and family, men and boys would dress as women and vice versa. In a carnivalesque exchange of kaftans and boubous, the night ends with a chorus of singing, cavorting, and dancing through the streets to the sound of percussion instruments.

Musician and writer Mykki Blanco wrote a poem that is heard in the stirring voiceover in Tajabone. It explores the vulnerability and strength of the queer, Black community and the ongoing trauma they live through. Blanco’s powerful words echo throughout this film like a trance: uplifting, inspiring, uncompromising.”

Revolution Is Love

A Year of Black Trans Liberation is the powerful and celebratory visual record of a contemporary activist movement in New York City and a moving testament to the enduring power of photography in activism, advocacy, and community.

Source: Good Reads, Printed Matter

“In June 2020, after a Black trans woman in Missouri and a Black trans man in Florida were killed just weeks apart, activists Qween Jean and Joela Rivera returned to the historic Stonewall Inn—site of the 1969 riots that launched the modern gay rights movement—where they initiated weekly actions known thereafter as the Stonewall Protests. Brought together by the urgent need to center Black trans and queer lives within the Black Lives Matter movement, a vibrant and radical community emerged.

Over the following year, the Stonewall Protests brought together thousands of people across communities and social movements to gather in solidarity, resistance, and communion. Each Thursday was an invitation for protests, healing, and celebration—whether through marches, voguing balls, or vigil—and a living testament to love in revolution. This book gathers twenty-four photographers who participated in these actions to share images and words on the demonstrations and their community at large, preserving this legacy as it unfolded. Through photographs, interviews, and text, Revolution Is Love celebrates the power of shared joy and struggle in trans community and liberation.”

American Problems, Trans Solutions

“Black trans people are among the most marginalized of marginalized Americans. But those closest to the nation’s most pressing problems are often able to craft innovative solutions.”
Source: TransLash

Join award-winning journalist Imara Jones as she travels across the country to tell the stories of three Black trans leaders on the frontlines of change: housing advocate Kayla Gore; Breonna McCree, a champion for economic empowerment; and Oluchi Omeoga, who fights for the rights of migrants. Despite a record-breaking number of anti-trans bills passed, these Black trans folks are addressing critical issues surrounding economic empowerment and human dignity with heart and vision. Watch the full film here!

As we wrap up this special December issue, we want to thank you for being a part of our community. This year has been filled with challenges but also with immense strength, creativity, and resilience. The work we’ve done together to uplift, support, and protect each other is what keeps us moving forward. We hope that the stories, strategies, and practices shared in this issue will inspire you as we step into a new year of action, healing, and solidarity.

To continue improving how we show up for you, we’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. We’ve created a short survey to gather feedback on how we can better serve and support Black TGNCIQ communities. Your responses will help guide our work in the year ahead and ensure that The Tea remains a resource that speaks to your needs, your joys, and your struggles.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey below—your voice matters!

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are building a future where every Black queer and trans person can thrive. Let’s keep the movement alive!

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