HRC Head Apologizes to Presidential Forum's Trans Protesters

Trans activists protested a lack of visibility for Black trans women at the event, and Alphonso David says the group is "deeply sorry" and will do better.

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.

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Trudy Ring

October 14 2019 3:42 PM EST

May 31 2023 6:50 PM EST

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Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David is addressing the criticism that the HRC/CNN town hall on LGBTQ issues last Thursday gave insufficient visibility to Black transgender women.

Several trans protesters interrupted the Los Angeles event -- which featured nine Democratic presidential candidates, at various points -- noting that questioners from the audience had not yet included Black trans women, who have borne the brunt of the deadly violence against trans Americans. At least one Black trans woman, singer-songwriter Shea Diamond, did ask a question later in the evening.

David issued a statement on Twitter today, saying, "Black and Latinx trans women should not have to protest to have voice in spaces created for the LGBTQ community." Many people "were disturbed and traumatized by reactions and responses to the protests and we are deeply sorry," he continued, adding that HRC is "deeply committed to making sure all members of our community have a seat at the tables we set."

\u201cFocusing on the lives and voices of Black trans women.\u201d
— Alphonso David (@Alphonso David) 1571076842

HRC has been criticized on several occasions for failing to give a voice to trans people, but it has become far more inclusive in recent years, with initiatives on equal rights for trans people and the hiring of high-profile trans staffers, such as its national press secretary, Sarah McBride. In September it announced an expansion of its work around trans rights, encompassing education campaigns, economic empowerment, capacity-building programs, and targeted task forces in communities hit hardest by anti-trans violence. Black trans women account for all but one of the trans homicide victims reported in the U.S. so far this year.