On June 3, 2019, a day before Councilmember Grosso re-introduced the Decrim Bill to D.C. City Council, trans activists with No Justice No Pride (NJNP) who are former and current sex workers dropped a banner in front of the Wilson Building. The advocates called on city leaders to take the bill seriously this session or expect more direct action from No Justice No Pride and the larger community. Two activists were arrested for their civil disobedience.
Two years ago, with the support of No Justice No Pride, other members of The Sex Worker Advocates Coalition (SWAC), and additional organizational partners, Councilmember Grosso (I-At Large) introduced the “Reducing Criminalization to Promote Public Safety and Health Amendment Act” to the D.C. Council. The bill would decriminalize sex work while creating other measures to keep our communities safe.
Last year, the bill died in committee because Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, never scheduled a hearing or vote. Just a day after the community rally and NJNP’s banner drop, Councilmember Grosso reintroduced the bill, now titled “Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019,” with Councilmembers Robert White (D-At Large), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), and Anita Bonds (D-At Large). As of last week, Councilmember Allen became an additional co-sponsor of this important legislation.
Trans women—especially trans women of color—are under attack in D.C. and across the country. From the systemic chipping away of federal housing, healthcare, and employment protections by the Trump administration, the devastating effects of the passage of FOSTA/SESTA to sex workers, and the steady rise of hate crimes, trans women are being targeted relentlessly In the past two months, two Black trans women, Ashanti Carmon and Zoe Spears, were stalked and murdered in the D.C. area. Casa Ruby, a well-known trans women-led LGBTQ shelter also experienced transphobic harassment this month.
In coalition with several local organizations, NJNP is fighting back to not only ensure the D.C. government fulfills their promises to the local trans community, but that they take critical steps to further protect trans lives in the heart of the empire. Passing the “Community Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2019” is the first of those steps.
Live in DC and want to learn more? NJNP and coalition of 15 organizations will host a rally on Friday, June 28 for the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.