Miss Trans Michigan Baddie Brooks has called on trans allies to “step up” for the community amid the culture war in the US.
The Detroit-born activist is set to compete in the Miss Trans USA pageant later this year and made history last year as the first Black trans woman from the city to serve as a Grand Marshal in the New York City Pride March.
In a new op-ed for Pride Source, Brooks urged trans allies to protect those in the LGBTQ+ community “who experience adversity” amid the troubling political landscape for trans people in the US.
She wrote: “We must continue fighting the erasure of queer and transgender people. The trans community can’t win this fight alone, however.
“We shouldn’t be fighting for basic human rights by ourselves. Speak up when you witness injustice. By correcting misgendering, attacking harmful rhetoric and stepping in when a trans person is being harassed, you can make a difference.”
The musician continued: “I’m calling on allies to step up. We cannot combat discrimination alone. Using your voice against bigotry makes a difference. It’s unfair to expect LGBTQIA+ community members to be visible while we’re constantly targeted.”
Brooks added: “Allyship needs to be direct and visible, not performative.”
The pageant community, in particular, has been hit by the “Trump Effect” in recent moments. Those on the far-right have made anti-trans, racist and fatphobic comments about pageant competitors they deem not to adhere to their beauty ideals.
Cisgender women have never been prevented from competing in the Miss Universe pageant, even since the first trans woman, Angela Ponce, competed in 2018. In fact, no out trans women have won the title in the pageant’s 72-year history.
Brooks concluded: “To me, thriving means achieving my dreams. I deserve to grow old and start a family. I deserve to chase my dream of being a musical superstar touring internationally. Transgender people should flourish in any career we pursue. We are someone, and trans people deserve the chance to thrive — forever and always.”
If this story has affected you, call the Trans Lifeline Hotline to speak to a trans/nonbinary peer operator with full anonymity and confidentiality at (877) 565-8860. Support is available Monday-Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM Pacific, 11 AM – 7 PM Mountain, 12 PM – 8 PM Central, and 1 PM – 9 PM Eastern.
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