Why We Need BTFA
The Statistics
The life expectancy for trans women of color in the United States is reportedly 35 years. In 2020 alone, 33 transgender lives have been violently taken.
The majority of those lives lost were Black transgender women. As the global fight for Black lives continues to build momentum, the fight for Black trans lives is still marginal. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to support and uplift Black trans femmes in life, and to provide them with the resources to live their lives to the fullest and chase their heart’s desire.
- Jordyn Jay, Founder and Executive Director, BTFA
Funding for Black
Trans Arts
For everyone $100 given by US foundations, less than 3 cents goes to trans communities.
In 2017, $22.5 million was given to trans communities. Of that, 1.8% went to Black trans communities.
In 2016, the total cultural and media funding going to trans projects in the U.S. was $1.25 million.
We've tracked this going back to 2013, when the amount was shockingly low: less than $85,000 for that entire year.
While we welcome the increased funding in recent years, contrast this with the $8.1 million in arts funding going to the entire LGBTQ community that same year, and the $3 billion for all arts funding that year. To put that in context, .04% of all arts funding in 2016 went to trans organizations.
The vast majority of the funding for trans arts projects were for one-time productions or events, and to projects led by cis people (ex: LGBT film festivals in major cities with cis leadership). There's very little funding going to trans artists or to trans arts groups in any sustained or long-term fashion.
- Alexander Lee, Project Director Grantmakers United for Trans Communities, Funders for LGBT Issues
The Stories
“It has been the most interesting conundrum to be in the world of upper echelon art. These folks are as restrictive as those of mainstream media and culture because their entire breadth of artwork has been built on systems of oppression. They’re not necessarily going to give way to letting freedom happen in the art world”
“The future for Black trans femmes in the arts is us being able to participate in and openly control the waves of culture, no matter how deep or shallow. ”