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 the transgender community. She started the first trans homeless shelter in the South and co-founded the first federally funded trans-only homeless program, pioneered affordable healthcare 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. Cristan is the editor at the social justice sites TransAdvocate.com and TheTERFs.com, is a long-term member and previous chair of the City of Houston HIV Prevention Planning Group.
