June 25, 2015

Contact:  Cara Page, Executive Director                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(212) 463-0342) ext. 18

media@alp.org

(New York, June 26th) Announcing the Release of the 'Say What: How to Talk about Trans and Gender Non Conforming People, LGBTQ People, Youth and People in the Sex Trade Respectfully' Edited by Elliott Fukui, Audre Lorde Project TransJustice Coordinator, and collaborated on in partnership with FIERCE, & Streetwise and Safe (SAS).

In light of all of the recent media highlighting Trans Women that has not included our Trans & Gender Non Conforming People of Color communities, we introduce this guide as a tool to inform media how to represent us with respect and dignity.  This media guide has been developed to support journalists, reporters, activists and organizers in using more inclusive and transformative language and frameworks when addressing issues that relate to our most vulnerable community members’ experiences of discriminatory policing.  This guide is for all people who are invested in justice, liberation and building strong inclusive communities. We know that part of liberation is reclaiming language, to honor the self determination for TGNC to name ourselves, name our struggles, and also provide the solutions to the oppression we face.

We hope that by sharing our language and analysis, media outlets, reporters, journalists and photographers – even policy makers and researchers—will be able to report on and share our stories in ways that support and center our community in our work respectfully.   This Media Guide was created by FIERCE, Streetwise and Safe (SAS), and the Audre Lorde Project (ALP).  We are all social justice Lesbian Gay Bi Two Spirit Trans Gender Non Conforming Queer People of Color led organizations based in New York City, housed in the Miss Major Jay Toole Building for Social Justice, and members of Communities United for Police Reform.  Special thanks to our members, the layout designer Alex Fukui, and the Tides Foundation.

Please go to https://database.alp.org/media-guide to view the ‘Say What’ Media Guide!