TBTN ... and trans women?

Dear Take Back the Night Organizers,

I was at TBTN this year and have been many years in the past – I believe this was my seventh. TBTN is an important event and I thank you for organizing it. For many women it can be an empowering event where they can stand up and feel safe on streets where harassment may be an issue they face on a regular basis. A few years ago I was asked to speak on the plight of trans-women as well as trans inclusion in the women’s community. It is partially due to this experience that I feel the need to write this letter.

At the rally before the march it was asked why we were here being, “to stop violence against women.” Afterwards a small group yelled, “...and trans women!” Now I have to say I’m fairly well connected with trans women in Ottawa and from talking to others whom knew the group none of the group were trans women. I certainly don’t expect the organizers to control what people chant or yell nor, am I sure if any organizers were involved or not let alone heard what was yelled and then clapped to by those around however, I would like to explain the problem in that exclamation.

By stating “...and trans women,” this puts in the implicit assumption that trans women are not included in the word “women.” This puts trans women as somehow other as somehow not fully women. Now certainly trans women and cis women have some different experiences, but this could be said of white women and women of colour or, working-class women and rich women or, straight women and queer women, women with disabilities and able-bodied women or women who have been involved in sex work and women in other professions. I am sure the list could go on greatly.

Certainly the statement was said with the concept to be inclusive of trans women and to oppose experiences of violence against us. However, the statement only further marginalize a population whom many of which already would not feel comfortable about coming to TBTN due to the history of oppression by cis women towards trans women. This is a history where trans women’s voices become either excluded entirely or become unheard. This history is one of erasure or outright bigotry, most famously characterized by the women-born-women movement – which the term is problematic in and of itself as trans women were still born women just of a different sex.

I would like you to know that I appreciate all the wonderful work putting on TBTN you did, but I also felt this point needed to be addressed. Perhaps next year a trans woman’s voice needs to be heard again and, it should be stated that TBTN is for women of all identities, experiences and backgrounds. I know that I am welcome, even if I did experience transphobia at TBTN years ago, but other trans women should know this too without such a problematic statement.

Sincerely,
Jade Pichette