A Reflection: Black Trans People and the Pandemic

It is clear that the pandemic  had a devastating effect on the Black trans community, and it is incumbent upon all of us to help create an environment of acceptance and support for all members of the community.

March 5, 2023 by Stephen G. Hall, PhD 

by TS Candii

TS Candii is a transgendered woman and  founder of Black Trans Nation (BTN) a national nob-profit 501 3 (c) organization  advocating, educating, and motivating the public into collective action on behalf of the Black and POC Transgender community. With a core mission to end discrimination Black Trans Nation strives to accomplish this, by driving policymakers to enact policies that will Destigmatize, Decriminalize, and Decarcerate our community. And by organizing and implementing outreach initiatives and providing access to vital resources in the form of housing, health, recovery, employment, legal immigration, and other critical social services. She has also been involved in efforts to decriminalize sex work.  This reality inspired her to become active in the legislation to “Decriminalize Sex Work” most recently the successful repeal of “Walking While Trans” – the unofficial civil rights violating, policing practices dating back to 1976. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo on Feb 2, 2021. This resulted in over 10,000 cases being dismissed and approximately 800 unlicensed massage parlors dismissed. She is also the author of the best-selling memoir Becomonig Candii

The global pandemic subsumed the world from 2020  up through the end of 2021. More than 1 million people died from COVID-19 and the pandemic exposed gross inequities in the public health system, especially for minorities and other underserved and underprivileged populations. No population was more vulnerable than Black transgender people. Our guest columnist reminds our readers of the challenges faced by this population. Black Lives Matter and Black Trans Lives deserve special attention. 

1. How Black Trans People Are Affected by the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous impact on people around the world, and there is an especially large concern for Black trans people, who face an even more severe impact of the pandemic. This is because the already huge healthcare disparities faced by Black trans people are compounded by the effects of the pandemic, making it even more difficult to access the healthcare and other resources they need. In addition, Black trans people are more likely to experience job loss and housing insecurity, putting them at greater risk of poverty during the pandemic.

2. How Limited Access to Healthcare Exacerbates the Crisis

The shutdown of hospitals and medical centers due to the pandemic  made it even more difficult for Black trans people to access the medical care they need. Access to proper medical care is already limited due to discrimination and stigma, but the pandemic has only made the situation worse. Many non-essential medical procedures have been put on hold, and access to gender-affirming surgeries is even more limited. This has had a devastating effect on Black trans people, as they are unable to access the healthcare they need to feel safe and accepted in their bodies.

3. The Consequences of Job Loss

The economic downturn caused by the pandemic  had a particularly devastating effect on Black trans people, who are already more likely to experience job loss than the general population. Many Black trans people work in the service industry, which has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, leaving many of them without a job or any financial security. This has led to an increased risk of poverty and homelessness, which are already disproportionately high among the Black trans community.

4. The Challenge of Finding Safe Housing

The pandemic  had a profound impact on the already limited housing options available to Black trans people. Many of them face discrimination when attempting to rent or purchase homes, making it very difficult to find a safe and secure place to live in the first place. The pandemic has added an additional layer of difficulty as people are less likely to move and renting units become more expensive due to decreased demand. This has left many Black trans people without access to safe and secure housing, putting them in even greater risk of homelessness and poverty.

5. The Need for Advocacy and Support

It is clear that the pandemic  had a devastating effect on the Black trans community, and it is incumbent upon all of us to help create an environment of acceptance and support for all members of the community. There needs to be more advocacy and action taken to provide access to healthcare and housing, to support those struggling with job loss and economic insecurity, and to help protect the rights and dignity of Black trans people. This is a time of great uncertainty, but with the right proactive efforts, we can ensure that the Black trans community comes out of the pandemic with their rights and humanity still intact.

Previously Published on Historian Speaks