The Safety of the Journey

As anti-transgender legislative activity continues, I believe there are equity considerations for leaders of nonprofits, philanthropies, government agencies, and private businesses, particularly for in-person meetings or other on-site work.

This week, I want to discuss the anti-transgender bills being introduced in state legislatures nationwide. While I am a DEI consultant with expertise in racial equity, I want to raise key equity considerations for leaders of nonprofits, philanthropies, government agencies, and private businesses - as you plan meetings or other on-site work. 

I've been sitting with and reflecting on S.B. 270, recently passed by the Arkansas Senate. 

This bill would make it a criminal act for transgender people to use a bathroom or locker room consistent with their gender identity. Insert, long deep sigh. This year alone, “more than 175 bills have been filed in statehouses across the country that specifically target transgender people - a historical record,” according to the Human Rights Campaign.

I found this map created by Erin Reed, who does independent reporting that tracks anti-transgender activities in the states. The map is a tool to assess the risk of traveling from one place to another for transgender people. (H/T to Nate Shalev for posting the map on LinkedIn.)

Old Tools New Harm

Part of the pattern I see in anti-transgender legislative activity is using old tools to create new harm. When I read about bathroom bills and rules about sports participation, fueled by the audacity to question people's identities (and body parts) - I see a familiar tale.  It’s using public policy to harm, oppress, and minimize the rights of people to exist in public space.

When people talk about public policy as a tool of oppression, they often think about times in the past…

when the photos were still black and white;  

when the dogs were unleashed on people; and

when water fountains were marked “Colored” and “White.”

But what I want you to see is that the same policy tools are being used right now against transgender people. The strategy is different in some ways, but the desired outcome is the same -- to control who has access to public space and under what conditions. 

Excerpted from the book Racing to Justice by john a. powell

The Journey Isn’t Always Safe

For me, as a small business owner, it calls into question the safety of the journey and determining where my “line of no” is for both my team and my business in ways that align with my values. 

I’ll share more about this in a bit, but first, a quick story: 

Years ago, I was traveling for a client engagement in Kentucky.  Travel for that trip required that I fly into one city and drive a few hours to meet the client in another.  I was a little concerned, but I moved ahead. I'm a Southerner and a Black woman, so I understand things can go from sugar to s*** quickly. 

So here I am, driving back roads, which I didn't realize was a part of the journey, and a white pickup truck comes out of nowhere and starts to follow me. Initially, I thought it was my imagination. Certainly, this truck was not following me. 

I changed lanes, and the truck changed lanes. 

I changed lanes again, and the truck changed lanes again. 

As a test, I pulled over into a like strip mall and sat with my car idling. 

And, yes, the truck pulls over and sits, too. 

I wait. I sat there for about 15 minutes. 

Then I bolted out of the parking lot as fast as I could! 

I wanted to get out of that strip mall and put some distance between me and the truck. 

What happens? The truck bolts out, too, right behind me.

I was terrified. 

I called my colleague, who was also driving from the opposite direction. She adjusted her route to meet me to caravan the rest of the way. 

Soon after she meets me, the truck pulls off.

My Line of No

That experience created a “line of no” for me, where I do not drive alone in unfamiliar places for on-site engagements. If there's a need to drive, a colleague and I will plan to meet at the closest airport and drive together. For in-person work, I always inquire about the safety of moving from point A to point B. 

That's just one small bit of my experience, and I can't imagine what it's like to navigate life in that way, always being afraid that someone's going to question what restroom you choose or question anything about your person that could lead to physical harm. 

Every day, transgender people have to assess the risk of traveling away from their homes to places to work that have these harmful and restrictive bills under consideration. Because even when they don’t become law, it creates an environment that breeds violence. 

So I have a question for you-- leaders of nonprofits, philanthropies, government agencies, and private businesses who might be convening conferences, network meetings, and public gatherings. 

What is your line of no?

Likely, anti-transgender legislative activity will continue, so creating a policy for handling events (and other in-person work) is a matter of when an issue arises -- not if.  I would strongly encourage you to think about it and decide your line of no. 

Here are three things that you can do.

1. Consider the safety of the journey for people traveling to your office, events, and meetings. The risk of harm during travel is different for each of us.

2. Determine if folks on your team are safe in the same ways to go to those places -- without fear.

3. Consider the impact of these bills as they pass. Prepare to change your plans, then do it. 

My expertise is in racial equity, not in LGBTIA+, but I certainly recognize when old tools of oppression are used to create new harm.