Civil disobedience for trans* people

“Numerous are the reported instances in which verbal abuse has escalated into physical violence, with police officers inappropriately touching, beating, and using coercive restraining measures on LGBTQ+ people (…..). Excessive use of verbal and physical violence usually occurs when queer individuals are criminalized, and while some practices are enacted with the intention of humiliating and hurting, others coincide with sexual harassment.”

Rachele Girardi (2021) ‘It’s easy to mistrust police when they keep on killing us’: A queer exploration of police violence and LGBTQ+ Victimization, Journal of Gender Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09589236.2021.1979481

Since I wrote on being nonbinary in a civil disobedience action in May 2021, the collective Trans.Action did elaborate a guide for trans*, intersex, nonbinary and agender (TINA) people considering to participate in an action of civil disobedience. In fact, the guide, available online here, contains a lot of points relevant for any kind of action which might bring us, as TINA people, in situations of confrontation with the police. We as TINA people have specific needs, concerns, and vulnerabilities which call for specific consideration. Therefore, there are several important aspects to consider before an action. It is recommended asking ourselves (and others) some reflection questions before participating in civil disobedience actions or other protests. Please keep in mind that every individual will have specific needs and concerns in relation to their intersectional lived experiences of race, class, gender, (dis-)ability, and many more.