TransWave are Jamaica’s first non-profit organisation dedicated solely to promoting the health and wellbeing of the transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex communities. Their advocacy focuses on legal gender recognition, non-discriminatory and gender-affirming healthcare, and access to affordable transition-related healthcare. They have successfully increased visibility and acceptance of the trans community through engaging online and social media content, mobilising around Jamaica Pride, and establishing the first and only emergency fund for trans individuals at risk in Jamaica. We spoke with TransWave’s Executive Director Renae Green for Trans Awareness Week about the trans community in Jamaica, the challenges they face and the work TransWave are doing to tackle systemic barriers in the region.
Could you introduce yourself and the work of the organisation? Why were you established?
Well, my name is Renae Green, I’m the Executive Director for TransWave Jamaica. TransWave Jamaica was started back in 2015 by Neish McLean and Akilah White. Our organisation started first as a blog raise to awareness for trans people and trans issues; TransWave formally became an organisation later that year. Our mandate is to advocate for the health and wellness of trans and gender non-conforming people living in Jamaica.
“Jamaica isn’t necessarily unique when it comes to the issues of trans people, particularly because most of our trans people are trans people of colour.”
What important successes have you had an organisation or movement?
Well one, we’re pretty young. We’re only six years old. But I think that one of our major accomplishments would be our National Trans Health Strategy that took an entire year, but we were able to get it done. And that pretty much lays the foundation and framework for what trans healthcare in Jamaica can and will look like. Another milestone is the work that we’re doing on the Gender Recognition Legislation. We also acknowledge the work that has been done before, creating safe spaces for trans people to be able to meet and come together and to thrive in that small space for the certain amount of time we that usually meet.
What are some of the major challenges that the trans community faces now within your context?
Jamaica isn’t necessarily unique when it comes to the issues of trans people, particularly because most of our trans people are trans people of colour. We face the same stigma as many other countries: homelessness is an issue here, access to health, access to justice is also an issue for members of the trans community, employment is an issue and education. Those are some of the systemic barriers that exist for trans people so as an organisation, our job is to try to help break those barriers and to teach our government how to take care of their citizens who are trans.
“Our job is to try to help break those barriers and to teach our government how to take care of their citizens who are trans.”
What does the future look like for trans rights in your region or globally?
Well, clearly more visibility. In Jamaica, a lot of the conversation is that trans people don’t exist, so people are taken back when they realise that there’s a thriving community here. One of the challenges though is that a lot of trans people will end up relocating because of the stigma and discrimination that they face, especially in Jamaica and the region. But hopefully we will see more trans people thriving, more trans people living, in the Caribbean and in Jamaica – being visible and being open about who they are and sharing their experiences. I think that’s a sure-fire way for us to be able to reach people so we can have a greater understanding of who we are and what we’re about. We aren’t here to hurt anyone, and we aren’t trying to dismantle the social constructs that exist. What we are trying to do is show people that we are deserving to exist in the same spaces and that those social constructs should include us. We’re very much a part of Jamaican culture and spaces and we also want to contribute to the country that we live in.
On Trans Awareness Week, what is a central message you want the world and allies to know?
That trans people are here and we’re vulnerable and that people need to speak out more against transphobia and violence in general towards the trans community. I want people to support our movement, to support our people and to understand that this is important and it’s not about trying to push anything on anyone, all we’re trying to do is to live and to exist. Telling us that we need to live and exist in the shadows or behind closed doors is not the same as us showing that we deserve to live, because we cannot live if we have to hide and hiding is what puts us more at risk for the various things and harms that are out there.
“Telling us that we need to live and exist in the shadows or behind closed doors is not the same as showing us that we deserve to live, because we cannot live if we have to hide.”
How can allies best support the trans community?
By learning about the community, by reading, by researching, by talking to trans people, by donating to the movements that support trans artists and activists and advocates. By creating spaces for trans people to be able to speak on their own behalf and to take up space to provide the different resources that are needed for that and build capacity for trans people. There’s so much that allies can do to support our movement and it starts by learning who trans people really are – that means that you have to talk to us. So, I challenge you out there, come and talk to us, learn what we are, learn who are and what we’re trying to do, and then see how best we can come to some common ground.