Trigger Warning —
A group of men on a MARTA train in Atlanta, Georgia harassed two transgender women, theb stripped one nude and violently attacked them both. The men ignored the women’s requests to stop. Bystanders, the women said, did nothing to help and some videotaped the attack. Allegedly MARTA staff did nothing when the women tried to report it, but now, after their story has received media attention, MARTA is looking into what happened.
It’s too late though. Both women are moving away from Atlanta after the attack. “I don’t feel safe here,” one of the women said.
The attack began with the type of harassment familiar to many transgender people:
“[They] just kept of asking us was we real,” said Janell Crosby. “Like really trying to get us. ‘Are you real?’ ‘Are y’all this or that?’ Just trying to embarrass us.”
“They were trying to find out if we are men or women,” said Tyra Woods. “I shouldn’t have to disclose who I am to an innocent person who I’m not even interested in talking to.”
Exactly. Their attention, time, and personal history is not the business of random people they encounter in public spaces. They — and everyone — should have the right to be safe and respected in public spaces and have the freedom to just be themselves. And they — and we — need bystanders, transit agencies and law enforcement officers to take street harassment seriously and take appropriate action.
