Content Warning: anti-trans violence and hate.
My name is Renae Green, and I am a Black trans woman from Jamaica currently seeking asylum here in the U.S. I was born and raised in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica and was the head of one of the largest trans organizations in the Caribbean. I am a woman, Black, and trans; but I am also independent, kind, honest, brilliant, and humble. My story is similar to those of many trans people who have left Jamaica in search of peace and safety.
Growing up in Jamaica, which is known to have the most churches per square mile, as well as laws and policy that directly criminalize LGBTQ+ people’s existence, you can surmise that life was difficult for me. For those who may be unfamiliar, Jamaica has a very harmful and toxic masculine culture, which objectifies women and forces men into gendered norms. This culture is harmful for anyone who does not meet its expectations. Gay men and especially trans women, are harmed and sometimes killed due to the prejudice against them.
Due to my identity, I faced constant harassment and threats from my peers. In 2017, when my mother died, I was stoned, and turned away from her funeral by my family, simply because I am openly trans. To this day, this remains one of the saddest moments of my life. For those who know me, they would know that my mother meant so much to me. She was one of my biggest supporters, next to my brother. She constantly encouraged me and despite not fully understanding what trans meant, she knew who I was even before I did. My mother continued to love me just the same despite the rest of the family encouraging her to cut me off. When she passed away, I lost a part of myself.
Due to my identity, I faced constant harassment and threats from my peers. In 2017, when my mother died, I was stoned, and turned away from her funeral by my family, simply because I am openly trans.
Not being able to go to her funeral only made it more apparent that things needed to change for me, and for Jamaica. After my mother’s death, I got involved in advocacy so I could contribute to the work being done to change what is happening in Jamaica by creating a safe space and access to resources for trans people still living there. This path led me to a job at a trans rights advocacy organization where I worked for the last eight years of my life, fighting for the rights of trans people in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. When I left this job, I relocated to the U.S.A. for safety reasons, and to start over in a space where I thought I would have an opportunity to truly live as my authentic self without fear of persecution and harm.
As a trans woman who is from a country where my existence is criminalized, the attacks on the transgender community from the Trump administration are nothing new. They are, however, disappointing. The political environment in the U.S. today puts me back in a space where I found it difficult as a trans woman to live in my truth and exist. The most recent executive orders specifically target the rights of both trans people and migrants. This means as both a migrant and trans woman, these policies aim to harm me in ways which will make living difficult. While I am afraid of what is to come, I am also hopeful, because trans people, particularly trans women, have always been resilient in the face of adversity. I am hopeful that we will not only survive these next four years, but thrive despite the obstacles. And I am hopeful that I will be able to contribute to that resilience.
The most recent executive orders specifically target the rights of both trans people and migrants. This means as both a migrant and trans woman, these policies aim to harm me in ways which will make living difficult.
I am working with other trans and gender expansive people to fight what can only be described as the persecution and oppression of anyone who is not white and a man. Trump and his administration aim to dismantle what truly made the U.S. the land of dreams and opportunity. But we, the communities who helped build this country, will not sit idly by and allow it to happen. My hope as a Black trans woman in this country, is to be able to live, earn and raise my family in a space free from discrimination and stigma. I want to be able to live as my authentic self, Renae Green: woman, advocate,leader, friend, human.
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