Recently, our Gender Diversity Inclusion Committee (GDCI) has been reflecting on the power and evolution of language. This stemmed from a conversation about an organization, founded by celebrated activists Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, known as STARR (Strategic Transgender Alliance for Radical Reform).
The history of STARR teaches us something about the importance of solidarity and commitment in movement building. Notably, the original name of the organization has undergone some changes and updates, just like YWCA Toronto has changed to reflect our evolving vision and mission.
As language evolves, so do we. We are constantly changing the ways we communicate who we are as an organization, and updating the language we use to talk about gender diversity and inclusion. It is important to us, personally and as YWCA Toronto staff, to be consistent and explicit in our commitment to equity and inclusion.
STARR (originally named STAR) formed in 1969, and as mentioned above, was created by trans activists. The original acronym (STAR) communicated the group’s intent and origins.
Street - Their experiences and commitment to prioritizing the needs and concerns of unhoused youth defined their work. STAR operated two different shelter programs, first out of a trailer, and eventually a home that at times housed 20-25 young trans people.
Action – Influenced by the work of the Black Panther Party’s Ten Point Program, STAR offered the community free clothing, education, food, healthcare, housing, and transportation.
Revolutionaries – STAR house was a shelter, but also engaged in political activism such as advocating for prison reform. The group regularly marched to protest the treatment of queer and trans people in hospitals and prisons, and opposed loitering laws that unfairly targeted unhoused people. They protested the Catholic Church’s opposition to bodily autonomy.
As true revolutionaries, STAR saw all of these struggles as linked and intertwined.
And the group formed following protests in NYC, when Sylvia Rivera distributed a flyer which said, in part:
“If you want gay power then you’re going to have to fight for it. And you’re going to have to fight until you win. Because once you start you’re not going to be able to stop because if you do you’ll lose everything. You won't just lose this fight, but all the other fights all over the country. All our brothers and sisters all over the world will return to their closets in shame. So, if you want to fight for your rights, then fight till the end.”
— Sylvia Rivera, excerpt from "GAY POWER—WHEN DO WE WANT IT? OR DO WE?"
In this quote the use of the term “brothers and sisters”, a common rallying phrase used in organizing to evoke a sense of shared purpose and connection, is effective. But, we know that these binary terms leave some people out. And it is in the same spirit of bringing us together, that we now use more inclusive language, like “our siblings.” When we grow and learn, we do not reject those with common purpose who came before us, we build upon their work.
Throughout the early 1970s, STARR faced opposition from some women’s activist groups, and queer activist groups who believed trans rights were divisive, and had no place in their movement towards equality. We see echoes of these sentiments around us today in larger cultural discussions of feminism.
Just as today we see trans people of colour, Two Spirit, and Indigenous gender diverse folks on the frontlines of the fight for gender justice, protection and care, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera were trans women of colour who faced racism and exclusion within the broader feminist movement.
Their efforts cannot be separated from the work of dismantling white supremacy and systems of oppression. As noted, they were strongly influenced by groups like the Black Panther Party, as well as Puerto Rican activist groups such as Young Lords, who provided security for STAR House in its early days.
As a feminist Association, it is crucial for us to speak loudly and directly, acknowledging that an attack on some of us is an attack on all of us, and to affirm our support and care for all gender diverse people.
The theme of this year’s pride celebrations is “We Won’t Stop”, to us this means intentionally moving forward, learning, adjusting, and updating not only our language, but our actions toward community care and justice.
Looking for Pride events and resources? Consider:
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Mel Trimarchi, Manager of Executive Office and Administration, and Kate Miller, Manager of Tenancy Support Programs are the Gender Diversity Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs.