Crossing the Border

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN TRANSGENDER EQUALITY AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS

MACEO PERSSONKRISTINA WERTZ

TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER

BASIC RIGHTS OREGON

Crossing Borders

GOALS

Draw connections between movements for trans equality and immigrant rights

Explore tactics used to divide our communities

Take action!

Crossing the Border

NationalityEveryone has a legal

nationality.They are usually

determined by your place of birth.

Many people take long journeys to cross the US/Mexico Border.

Sex and GenderEveryone has a legal

documented sex.Sex is usually

determined by your physical body at birth.

Many people take a long process to transition, and for many there is no definitive end point.

Crossing the Border

NationMany People are

murdered for crossing the border.

Sex and GenderMany People are

murdered for transitioning.

Becoming Legal

Getting Legal Recognition of

CitizenshipDecades of living in

the US while undocumented.

Spend thousands of dollars on legal fees and extra taxes.

Take a naturalization test.

Getting Legal Recognition of Gender Identity

Prove gender identity to doctors and therapists. Often have to get their permission to start medical and legal transition.

Spending thousands of dollars on medical and legal work.

Transitioning as an Immigrant

California has a process to get a legal name and gender change regardless of immigration status.

Immigrants are expected to begin this process at the start of their legal immigration process.

BarriersPervasive

discrimination means many immigrants can’t afford name & gender change fees.

Many immigrants can’t afford the medical costs associated with transitioning.

Many immigrants don’t have access to their old ID’s.

Common Issues

We both…Face discrimination when searching for

employment, often under or unemployed.Often have to work underground, dangerous

and unprotected work environment.Are harmed by efforts to increase

identification requirements

Difficulty accessing anything when an ID is required.

Common Opponents

Capitol Resource Institute

WEDGE ISSUESNot just a

controversial issue. Rather, an issue that

is carefully framed to play on people’s fears

and exploit racism, sexism, homophobia,

transphobia, etc.

CONSOLIDATION OF POWER BY THE FAR

RIGHTThe Right moved a MULTI ISSUE AGENDA

that does violence to many…

And divided these communities against

each other…

IMMIGRANTSPEOPLE OF COLORLOW INCOME FOLKSLGBT PEOPLEWOMEN

“Protecting Families”Trans equality Anti Discrimination Public accommodations

Criminal Justice 3 Strikes Laws Tough on Crime

Immigration Sanctuary Cities Immigration Reform

Affirmative Action Protecting “our” jobs

Trans Community-Deconstruction of ‘family values’-Bathroom panicImmigrant

Community-Taking away our right to provide for our families

-‘Homeland security’

-Threatening our neighborhoods

Scapegoating

“US”

“THEM”

WE ALL KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO…

Live under laws that say we are less humanBe a scapegoat for society’s problemsBe afraid for the security of our familiesFeel vulnerable and unsafe because of

policies, institutions and attitudes that keep us on the margins

THANK YOU!