Transgender Law Center stands in solidarity with those who are in jail or prison. All people—including those in prison—deserve lives free from violence, with the opportunity to live as their authentic selves. Transgender people face heightened levels of violence and vulnerability when they are incarcerated, experiencing harassment and danger throughout the system. This puts their lives and well-being in serious jeopardy.
In addition, the discrimination that transgender people face in the workplace can create serious economic hardships. Some transgender people engage in sex work, drug sales or other aspects of the street economy in order to survive. This puts them at a higher risk of arrest and imprisonment. Some transgender people have also been arrested simply because they are transgender because of prejudice on the part of a police officer who believes that all transgender people are engaged in illegal work.
Transgender Law Center regularly provides legal information to transgender people in jails and prisons and on parole. We also work with partner organizations like TGI Justice Project, Justice Now, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights to advocate for humane and just policies for incarcerated trans and gender nonconforming people.
TLC Resources
- Policy Recommendations Regarding LGBT People in California Prisons
Dignity and Justice For All – a coalition comprised of Equality California , Just Detention International , National Center for Lesbian Rights , Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project , and Transgender Law Center – makes the following recommendations based on the testimony presented at the Senate Committee on Public Safety’s Informational Hearing on Issues Facing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Inmates in California Prisons, on December 11, 2008. - Safety Inside: Problems Faced by Transgender Prisoners and Common Sense Solutions to Them
Written testimony submitted to the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission detailing the ways in which transgender prisoners face harassment and discrimination and common sense recommendations that the Commission can take to improve conditions for transgender prisoners. - Letter to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee in Opposition to Stop and Frisk Policy
Transgender Law Center joined with other groups to express opposition to a “stop and frisk” policy for San Francisco
Other Organizations
- Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice
An organization of transgender people inside and out of prison working together for survival and freedom. - Just Detention International
JDI seeks to end all forms of sexual violence against those who are incarcerated. They have a Survivor Resource Guide for those who have been raped or sexual assaulted in prison. - Justice Now
Advocacy, organizing, and legal services for people housed in women’s prisons.
Transgender Law Center works to fight the systems that funnel transgender people into prison. We also seek to improve the quality of life of those on inside.
Over policing of transgender people is an epidemic all over the country. Profiling by police leads to the over incarceration of our communities. That is why Transgender Law Center opposes “stop and frisk” policies. Read about our opposition to such a policy in San Francisco here.
Transgender Law Center recently participated in a coalition that made recommendations to the Los Angeles Police Department on respecting transgender people. The LAPD changed their policies as a result. The new policies are available here.
Prison Related Blog Posts:
- Transgender Inmate Granted Transition-Related Care September 4, 2012
- Transgender Law Center Applauds LAPD for New Transgender Inclusive Policies April 18, 2012
- Victory for Los Angeles Youth! February 22, 2012