Celebrating the repeal of the "walking while trans" law

Kiara St. James, co-founder and executive director of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group, a Stonewall grantee

For decades, a discriminatory and baseless statute existed in New York State, often referred to as the “walking while trans” law. This insidious law subjected women of color - and especially transgender women of color - who were suspected of “loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution” to needless questioning, harassment, and arrest by police. Thanks to the tireless advocacy, education, and organizing of Stonewall grantee partners like New York Transgender Advocacy Group, Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, Legal Aid Society, Lambda Legal, and others, we celebrated the overturning of this law earlier this year.

At Stonewall, we know that interactions with the police can be dangerous and even deadly, especially for Black and Brown queer and transgender people. We are beyond proud of the many Stonewall partners who had a hand in working to repeal this violent law, and bring us one step closer to justice for our community.

To get a closer look at the tireless work that went into repealing the “walking while trans” law, check out this amazing profile in City and State NY.