As the sun set on a temperate fall evening October 5, roughly 200 people gathered outside the Wellington United Church of Christ in Lakeview to honor the memory of TT Saffore—and join a call to action.



       Within the broader dialogue about black lives, trans and gender-nonconforming people don’t receive the same levels of solidarity or empathy offered to black cisgender men killed by police officers or racist vigilantes. But Chicago activists refuse to let that keep them down. They rallied to ensure that Saffore’s death isn’t forgotten—and to remind everyone that black transgender lives do indeed matter.

Gloria Allen, who identifies as a trans elder: “When God made us, he didn’t make no mistake. I’m meant to be here.” #TurnUp4TT

— Derrick Clifton (@DerrickClifton) October 5, 2016

       Among the privileges many cisgender people take for granted, she said: not fearing for their personal safety while using the restroom, not worrying about finessing every minute detail of personal appearance—even down to hair follicles—so as to appear passable, not having to field constant, invasive questions about their genitalia.



 The day of the vigil, the collective had published online a statement and platform outlining their grievances with the government and the mainstream LGB community. The statement was also read aloud that night.

“We’re tired of mourning Black, trans deaths. We are here to celebrate Black trans life, and remind ourselves of power we have.” #TurnUp4TT

    Days after Saffore’s death, members of Black Youth Project 100 and other black activist organizations participated in an advocacy day on Capitol Hill for trans-specific issues. (The group addresses these issues in its website Agenda to Build Black Futures, as does the the Movement for Black Lives in its platform.) Employment protections and health care were among the policies the groups brought up with lawmakers.



       Throughout the evening, vigil attendees railed against oppression through poems, speeches, and chants. The march spilled onto Halsted Street, and some demonstrators even shut down traffic for a brief time.

Vigil portion ending with a vogue session, before marching in the community. This fierceness. #TurnUp4TT pic.twitter.com/si6WgwO1Kr

— Derrick Clifton (@DerrickClifton) October 6, 2016