See this trans advocate hip-hop video

As previewed in the last TransAdvocate podcast, the hip-hop artist known as MIC created an amazing tune about the TransAdvocate, trans advocacy in the US, and the radical feminists who bravely stood by their trans siblings (in the face of sex essentialist violence and attempted murder) and helped inform what became known as “trans advocacy” today. MIC namedrops numerous early radical feminists and feminist organizations, early trans activists and, of course, the TransAdvocate itself.

MIC presented this work to the TransAdvocate and we would like to dedicate this work to Evon Young, who also went by YuNG LT, a mid-western trans rapper who was mutilated, murdered, set on fire, thrown in a dumpster. and whose body has yet to be recovered. After most media outlets misgendered Young and tied themselves into rhetorical knots, promoting the narrative that what happened to Young wasn’t connected to his trans status, we interviewed people close to Young and questioned that official story. So, we dedicate this song in memory of Young:

Lyrics: “I’m a Trans Advocate” by MIC

Trans advocate they winning

so different ain’t no one like em

a group trans, genderqueer and intersex talented writers

from a feminist perspective

so dope you gotta check this

been putting in work over 15 years

so you gotta respect it yea

trans advocacy was started in 1895

in the U.S in New York by Jennie June you can’t deny

that was such a crazy time

looking back look at ’em now

changing the world one step at a time

time to wake up open your mind yea

investigative reporting

curving the misinformation

so many people they reaching

spreading over the nation

diversity it’s about time

go to Transadvocate dot com

708-274-7826  that’s the hotline

yea

shoutout to Cell 16 and the Lesbian Tide Collective

shoutout Sisters and Olivia

trans-inclusive movements

they are exposing the hate

they sick of seeing all the hating and suffering

your feminism should be trans-inclusive

or it really means nothing

[CHORUS]

Trans advocate they here to tell their story

Tell the world that you can no longer ignore me

rising up and this is the moment of glory

show some love if you are down and you support it

yea

tell me where the love at

I think its time to keep it real

the anti-trans murder rate is at its highest out in Brazil

Trans advocate website made a site just for the cause

the way people look at trans community will surely leave you appalled

uh

it’s time to challenge what you think ’bout the concept of gender identity

saving lives from the bullies treat all the trans people like enemies

started up a non-profit org that’s 501c3

fact checking what they saying online

trust me and believe me

they bringing the truth to the light

dragging it while its kicking and screaming

educating the people remember

that sexing the body is gender

helping the world agenda

there so many people that we can’t forget

who started way back in the era of the pre-disco feminist

Dana Densmore

Robin Tyler

Ruth Herscheberger ah yea

Poppy Northcutt

Catherine Mackinnon to name a few and we applaud them

they ain’t taking no shortcuts

all truth and its straight facts

however you identify its all love

but hate we hate that

yea

[CHORUS]

[CHORUS]

[OUTRO]

You can download a copy of I’m a Trans Advocate here.

Cristan Williams is a trans historian and pioneer in addressing the practical needs of underserved communities. She started the first trans homeless shelter in Texas and co-founded the first federally funded housing-first homeless program, pioneered affordable health care for trans people in the Houston area, won the right for trans people to change their gender on Texas ID prior to surgery, started numerous trans social service programs and founded the Transgender Center as well as the Transgender Archives. She has published short stories, academic chapters and papers, and numerous articles for both print and digital magazines. She received numerous awards for her advocacy and has presented at universities throughout the nation, served on several governmental committees and CBO boards, is the Editor of the TransAdvocate, and is a founding board member of the Transgender Foundation of America and the Bee Busy Wellness Center.