Updates from SRLP’s Movement Building Team

The Movement Building Team (MBT) at the Sylvia Rivera Law Project has been busy the last few months working to advocate for the rights of trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGNCI) people!

In April, we were part of organizing and facilitating the Manhattan Trans Forum, along with lots of amazing community partners. This trans-led organizing has created space where City Council members, service providers, and other stakeholders hear the genuine needs and issues that TGNCI people face in NYC, leading up to the creation of a policy recommendation sheet, or “white paper.” MBT members spent weeks leading up to the forum reviewing the notes and policy suggestions from previous forums we hosted in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. During our weekly meetings, MBT members reviewed problems and found themes from other boroughs, moving towards solutions and strategizing possible policies. MBT has worked specifically on the Healthcare and Housing breakout groups at the forums and many of our members got to co-facilitate and participate at the Manhattan Trans Forum on April 27^th. Look out for our next one in Staten Island, late August or September, where we will continue to address borough-specific concerns and move towards implementing solutions.

SRLP Movement Building Team members at the Manhattan Trans Forum, April 27, 2017 at GMHC. From left to right: Giselle, Kimberly, Sheneeneh, OG, Angeleena, Sadaya, Stephanie, and Josephine.

May brought a lot of reflections about the role of self-care in our movement building. As we looked towards June and the supports our communities would need, we focused on how we were taking care of ourselves and what we needed next by organizing our first MBT Retreat, building community and self-care practices.

SRLP Movement Building Team members and staff following their first retreat. From back left: Juana, Maddox, Kimberly, Xena, OG, Sheneeneh, Stephanie, Terri, Sasha, and Armand.

SRLP Movement Building Team members and staff following their first retreat
From back left: Juana, Maddox, Kimberly, Xena, OG, Sheneeneh, Stephanie, Terri, Sasha, and Armand

June is a busy month! Beyond pride, we want our folks to feel loved, respected, and affirmed – check out some of the awesome workshops our members are facilitating as we work towards our collective liberation:

• On June 22^nd, we’re hosting a Self Defense Class for TGNC POC and allies. Click here for more information or to RSVP.
• On June 29^th, join us for Meditation Post-Pride for TGNCI POC and allies. Click here for more information or to RSVP.

Save the Date! We’re having an Open House Summer Party at SRLP on July 14^th. Go to www.srlp.org/summerparty for more information. 

For more info about SRLP’s events and to support our work, please check out our website.