Transgender Rights are Human Rights

Despite the dramatic progress of the transgender movement in the last decade, resulting in greater public awareness and significant legal victories, trans people continue to face blatant discrimination, high levels of violence and poor health outcomes. Trans people of color often face markedly worse health and economic outcomes as they navigate multiple systems of oppression. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, inequalities, systemic oppression, and violence by state and non-state actors have been heightened.

Trans activists and movements are persistently fighting to ensure that trans rights, policies, and legal measures protecting trans people are put in place. However, the lives of trans and gender-diverse people remain constantly at risk, particularly for those who are affected by racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, ableism and anti-sex worker sentiment and discrimination. Increasing hostility from anti-trans feminist groups, exclusion from mainstream LGBT groups, and the rise of political networks mobilizing anti-gender movements severely aggravate these risks.

What is the situation for trans people today and what needs to be done to improve it? Farah Abdi, feminist, blogger, author, journalist, human rights activist, motivational speaker, youth education advocate and a 26 year old Somali transgender refugee living in Berlin, is our guest.

How far have we come when it comes to trans rights? Where are we in terms of rights for trans people? What are some of the challenges that trans people continue to face? What needs to be done moving forward? We are looking forward to discussing these and many more questions with you and Farah Abdi.