Miss Trans Michigan Urges Allies to Stand Firm Against Discrimination
Baddie Brooks, crowned as Miss Trans Michigan, has made a powerful call to action for allies of the transgender community to take a more active stance in the fight against discrimination. Facing an increasingly hostile culture war in the United States, Brooks emphasizes the importance of allyship in securing the rights and dignity of transgender individuals.
Originating from Detroit, this activist and trailblazer is set to compete in the upcoming Miss Trans USA pageant. Last year, Brooks made history as the first Black trans woman from Detroit to lead the New York City Pride March as a Grand Marshal, marking a significant milestone in her advocacy journey.
In a heartfelt op-ed, Brooks stresses the urgent need for allies to support members of the LGBTQ+ community who face adversity, particularly in the current political climate where discrimination against transgender people is rampant. She writes, "We must persist in our efforts to prevent the erasure of queer and transgender identities. However, this is not a battle the trans community can fight alone."
Brooks continues, "Expecting us to fight for basic human rights without support is unfair. It is crucial for allies to speak out against injustices. Whether it is correcting misgendering, challenging harmful rhetoric, or stepping in when a trans person is being harassed, your actions can significantly impact our cause."
Brooks, who is also a musician, highlights the importance of visible and direct allyship, cautioning against performative gestures that lack sincerity. "Calling out bigotry and using your voice to champion our rights makes a tangible difference," she asserts. "The LGBTQIA+ community should not have to bear the burden of visibility when they are constantly under threat."
The pageant world, in particular, has been a focal point of this struggle. The rise of discriminatory rhetoric, often referred to as the "Trump Effect," has seen far-right factions make anti-trans, racist, and fatphobic remarks about contestants who do not fit their narrow ideals of beauty. Despite these challenges, cisgender women have historically faced no restrictions in competing at events like Miss Universe, even after Angela Ponce made headlines in 2018 as the first trans woman to participate in the prestigious pageant. Notably, no openly transgender woman has ever claimed the title in the pageant's 72-year history.
Brooks concludes her op-ed with a personal reflection on what it means to thrive as a transgender individual. "To me, thriving is about realizing my dreams. I deserve the right to grow old, to start a family, and to pursue my ambition of becoming an international music superstar," she states. "Transgender people should be free to excel in any career they choose. We are deserving of the opportunity to prosper — today and always."
If you are affected by this article or need support, the Trans Lifeline Hotline is available for transgender and nonbinary individuals seeking peer support. The hotline provides confidential and anonymous assistance at (877) 565-8860, operational Monday through Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM Pacific, 11 AM – 7 PM Mountain, 12 PM – 8 PM Central, and 1 PM – 9 PM Eastern.
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