Trans Lifeline is appalled by the blatant disregard for life shown by the actions of the police in Charlotte, North Carolina. Trans people of color in North Carolina (and elsewhere) face violence on every level — from police brutality and unjust incarceration to employment discrimination and violations of civil rights. Trans Lifeline operators are community members first, and we are proud to count among our ranks several leaders and participants in the Black Lives Matter movement in Charlotte and across the United States. Since Tuesday, several Trans Lifeline volunteers have been on the ground supporting local activists in processing grief, building community, and fighting back against state violence.
What does a suicide hotline have to do with protesting police violence? We are here to support the entire trans community. We recognize that we cannot support part of a person without supporting the whole of who they are. Black trans people are profiled by the police, incarcerated at higher rates, put into solitary confinement — all circumstances that increase their likelihood of dying by suicide. Moreover, we are an organization led by and made of up many suicide survivors along side many people people with mental disabilities. Keith Lamont Scott had a traumatic brain injury. A report issued earlier this year found that ½ of all the people shot by the police are disabled (
read more here). Police often act as first responders to situations involving people with mental disabilities. They are using force and aggression, all too often turning a call for help into a violent incident.
If any of us is to truly be safe, we need to reimagine crisis intervention as compassionate, supportive, and community-lead.
Kieth pictured with wife and kids.
We cannot be silent about our support because being in community means having one another’s back. Our community in North Carolina is literally under attack. Sending in the National Guard on the heels of Keith Lamont Scott’s shooting is a symptom of a broader might-makes-right tactic employed by North Carolina’s state government. They may be willing to exercise power of a few at the expense of many, but we believe in the power of everyday people to stand up for one another.
Trans Lifeline stands in solidarity with Charlotte Uprising and #BlackLivesMatter! We leave you with our favorite BLM chant:
Together, we can save lives.
— Trans Lifeline
#BlackLivesMatter #TransLivesMatter #BlackTransLivesMatter