Black Trans Activism

Black trans and gender-nonconforming Washingtonians have shaped D.C.’s culture, arts, and advocacy for decades.

Rayceen Pendarvis

Queen of the Shameless Plug| Empress of Black Pride| LGBTQ+ Changemaker

Rayceen Pendarvis describes herself as the “Queen of The Shameless Plug, the Empress of Pride and The Goddess of DC.” For decades, Pendarvis has been a force in the District of Columbia. From the 1963 March on Washington, to Black Lives Matter Plaza in 2020, Rayceen’s dynamic presence has been a part of nearly every modern social and civil rights movement in Washington. Advisory Committee member for the Black LGBTQIA+ History Preservation project.

“I came to D.C. in 1963… I met a person by the name of Andre Lindsay, AKA Barbara MacNair… [who] asked me, ‘Have you ever been to a drag show?’ At the time I didn’t know what a drag show was…[When I went,] I was flabbergasted. Like I said, I had never seen a man dressed as a woman.”  – Charles Comedy Excerpt from 2004 Oral history interview with Charles Comedy (“Kip Turner Brice”) on first drag show at the Old Cairo Hotel, Rainbow History Project Digital Archives.

SaVanna Wanzer

Transgender Leader

SaVanna helped establish in the early 2000s the Transgender Health Clinic at Whitman-Walker Health, a crucial step in expanding culturally competent care for the transgender community in D.C.  For many residents, this was the first time a major health institution in the city offered dedicated services that recognized and affirmed transgender identities

“It seems to be just an ongoing cycle and a problem where you hear, even in different countries, that they’re fighting for rights, of people of the gay, bisexual, lesbian community, and oftentimes they don’t make it, they’re murdered – the Matthew Shepard incident – those things always – the Amanda… what was her name? … Yeah, Tyra Hunter, even. Amanda, forgot her name, she was a transwoman that was – murdered up in New York recently, and I’m reminded of all that.”  

– Excerpt from Earline Budd Oral history interview (2001) Rainbow History Project Digital Archives.  

Earline Budd

Voice for Transgender Rights

Earline Budd has long been a stalwart voice for transgender rights in Washington, D.C., rooted in both lived experience and decades of community service. Born in 1958 and raised in a deeply religious household, Budd transitioned by the age of 13 and navigated early rejection, family violence, and the streets before formally finding her path in activism. In 1982 Earline Budd brought suit against (and won) the Kalorama skating rink which had discriminated against her. The issue was ‘gender appropriate’ dress. In 1999 Earline Budd brought a suit (and won) against the DC Department of Corrections for being refused access as a visitor. The formal complaint of discrimination based upon physical appearance led to a settlement which removed signs which read: “No One in Opposite Gender clothing will be admitted.”

 “Tyra’s death kind of set the stage for me today to be who I am.” – Earline Budd

Tyra Hunter

Transgender Woman and Activist

On August 7, 1995, Tyra Hunter, a 24-year-old transgender woman, was injured in a traffic accident at 50th and C Streets SE. When emergency responders discovered she was trans, they used slurs and delayed treatment. She later died of her injuries. The case was widely condemned, and her mother successfully sued the city, winning millions in damages. As a result of Tyra’s wrongful death, D.C. implemented government-wide sensitivity training, marking a critical step toward accountability and justice for transgender residents. In 2006, the Tyra Hunter Drop-In Center at 1711 N. Capitol Street NE was opened in her honor.

2005: The DC Trans Coalition (DCTC) Founded  

The DC Trans Coalition (DCTC) was founded in 2005 as an all volunteer-run, community-based organization tp advocate for the human rights of trans and gender-diverse people in DC. Still operating today, DCTC works to promote liberation and gender self-determination by raising awareness and building community support, facilitating resources and information, and changing laws that impact DC’s trans communities.  

Early 2000s: Transgender Health Empowerment (THE) Expands Programming  

Among other initiatives undertaken by THE was the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance and the opening of support houses for transgender adults (2004) and for youth (the Wanda Alston House, 2008). THE’s focus has shifted as their services drew non-transgender people as well. They embraced all those in need.  

October 2007: MPD issues a General Order   

In October 2007, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. issued General Order GO-PCA-501.02 (“Handling Interactions with Transgender Individuals”), which was later updated but originally replaced a prior version.  The purpose of the order was to require MPD officers to interact with transgender individuals in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner.  Under this policy officers must address individuals by their preferred name (if different from their legal name) and use pronouns consistent with their gender identity, gender identity or expression should not be taken as evidence or suspicion of criminal behavior (for example, it cannot justify assumptions about prostitution), if a person identifies themselves as transgender, officers must accept that identification and should not question or challenge it.