Munroe Bergdorf is speaking out about the selective activism she sees when it comes to supporting Black trans people, particularly when it comes to white gay men.
Yesterday, the model and activist took to her Instagram to post a news story about Reese, a cis man who was initially believed to have died by suicide after a video of him being harassed about his relationship with a trans woman named Faith Palmer went viral. In a subsequent update, Outreports Palmer clarified that Reese actually died of an overdose after she left him — an incident that caused him to threaten both of their lives. Palmer reportedly "ran away to safety, and it was then that he committed suicide," per the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
Following the news, many prominent trans activists and celebrities shared their condolences, including Janet Mock, Indya Moore, and Ashlee Marie Preston. Bergdorf also shared her thoughts on the sad situation, writing that she was "heartbroken for the Black community, the trans community and ultimately humanity."
Lamenting the fact that the violence committed by cis men against Black trans women continues to be ignored and how that is a symptom of "whiteness [reigning] supreme" and being "held with greater esteem," Bergdorf went on to talk about how the onus of explanation for "why our lives matter" always seems to be the burden of Black trans women.
"Honestly, I'm tired of it. It feels like a large portion of the queer community got their rights and jumped ship and the rest of us are clambering for the life rafts," she concluded.
Later, Bergdorf also edited her post to talk about how toxic masculinity helps perpetuate the "pattern of trans women being killed by their partners." However, she was quick to also mention that while this new information "doesn't take away from the fact that the bullying could have been the tipping point for a man clearly struggling," but it also showcases the "reality of many trans amorous men who struggle to navigate their identity within the perimeters of toxic masculinity."
Bergdorf subsequently followed up her post with another one talking about feeling "majorly burned out and honestly a little sad about the state of the world."
"Being expected to respond to every single bad thing that happens within the black, LGBT and feminist communities is exhausting and isn't sustainable," Bergdorf wrote, before asking where the white men fighting for Black trans lives were. "It's frustrating how it seems to always be trans women expected to speak about trans issues."
She then talked about how white gay men, in particular, don't pay attention to the issues facing Black trans people.
"If you're only enthusiastic about gay marriage and prep because it affects YOU and expect others to fight for your very valid right to both, then make sure you're also voicing your support for other communities and the injustice that they are facing. Cis white gay men. WE NEED YOU. We need your allyship, your access, your influence and the fact that other white people are expediently more likely to listen to you," she continued. "Start showing up for us like we consistently show up for you. We are a fragmented community and it's time to start closing the gaps rather than relying on the girls to fend for ourselves."
Bergdorf then went on to talk about the fact the murder of Black trans women doesn't register with the public in the same way the murder of a white woman does before asking them to "step up for all our sakes."
"To the black folk that perpetutate this homophobic colonised mindset, you are acting as a mule for white supremacy to eat our community from the inside out. ALL black lives matter. How can you say 'stop killing us' or 'I can't breathe' yet condemn the very people who started the BLM movement FOR YOU," she concluded. "Queer people deserve your respect, we deserve life, love, safety, joy, all the things you do. But we won't get there as a people unless you cut the shit."
