Concrete Steps Towards Transgender Liberation In The United States

Up until this point, much has been written in an attempt to analyze the condition of transgender oppression and exploitation. These analyses are valuable for providing a foundation for real liberation efforts, but unfortunately, very little has been written to build off of that body of work and to put it to practical use in eliminating the problems they identify. Theory without practice cannot even be called dead if it never had a life to begin with. If we as transgender people wish to ever be free, we must move beyond mere lifeless theory and into really existing revolutionary praxis.

In writing this, I attempt to produce a starting point for a revolutionary transfeminist movement which can really bring about the liberation of all transgender people. This work was made in conversation and collaboration with many others, but I remain merely one woman and I therefore cannot be the sole architect of such a revolution, but I hope to spur on more conversation and catalyze the formation of new organizations and the transfeminization of existing organizations. My analysis is necessarily limited to the particular conditions found within the USA, but I hope it can still serve others abroad who may freely adapt and transform this program or who may be inspired to design new programs in accordance with the particular national contexts they find themselves in.

Finally, I hope that the contents expressed here are in some way inspiring, motivating, or illuminating to all those I may call “comrade” or “sister.”

• Evalyn Penrose

(Not written by me but a personal comrade of mine)