The transgender community in Minneapolis is reeling after a violent attack on two transgender women, Dahlia and Jess, near a light rail station in downtown Minneapolis on November 10th. As the nation grapples with the implications of President Donald Trump’s re-election, many fear that such incidents may become more frequent, fueling anxiety and uncertainty within the community.
A Harrowing Incident
Dahlia and Jess, who recently moved from Iowa to Minnesota seeking refuge under the state’s progressive transgender laws, were leaving the light rail station at Hennepin Avenue and Fifth Street when they became the targets of transphobic slurs from a group of men. According to Amber Muhm, a community leader with Trans Movement for Liberation and an organizer of a subsequent rally, the confrontation escalated quickly.
“Jess asked the man to stop addressing them with such hateful language,” Muhm recounted. “In response, he sucker-punched her. Dahlia, in an attempt to defend them both, struck the man with her cane.” The situation deteriorated as four or five other individuals joined in, mercilessly beating the two women. Both were knocked unconscious; Dahlia sustained a broken nose, while Jess suffered multiple contusions on her ribs.
Perhaps most distressing was the reaction of bystanders. “People were cheering the attackers on,” Muhm said. “No one stepped in to help them. Their blood was still visible on the concrete during our rally a week later.”
Community Response and Rally
In the wake of the attack, community organizers held a rally at the site to stand in solidarity with Dahlia and Jess. The event served as a platform for spreading awareness and a place for group healing, with transgender people, allies, and local officials in attendance.
DFL Representative Leigh Finke, Minnesota’s first transgender state lawmaker and the sponsor of the state’s “Trans Refuge” law, spoke at the rally. “A lot of people have moved to Minnesota since we passed the trans refuge bill,” she noted. “But I think we’re going to see a real spike after the election outcome.”
The re-election of President Donald Trump has intensified concerns within the transgender community. Trump’s administration has previously taken steps to roll back protections for transgender individuals, and his campaign has vowed to use federal power to restrict gender-affirming healthcare for minors, labeling it as “child abuse” and “child sexual mutilation.”
Muhm expressed deep concern about the potential rise in transphobic attacks. “People are so emboldened now,” she said. “There’s so much false data, so many false narratives about trans people. At the rally, people were screaming about surgeries on ten-year-olds, which is not even close to being medically true.”
The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQIA+ youth, reported a nearly 200 percent increase in conversations related to the election across their crisis services following Trump’s re-election. CEO Jaymes Black stated, “While alarming, we are not surprised to see that the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ politics of the past few years continues to harm young people’s mental health.”
Impact on the Transgender Community
The attack on Dahlia and Jess is not an isolated incident. Activists note that it’s the third documented attack on a transgender woman within the light rail system in the past two years. Many more go unreported due to fear of persecution or a lack of faith in the justice system.
“People are talking to me about erasing their social media presence, going back into the closet,” said one speaker at the rally. A resurgence of fear has overshadowed the sense of security that many transgender people in Minnesota felt, particularly after the passage of the “Trans Refuge” law.
Community leaders and activists are calling for immediate action to address the rising threats against transgender individuals. The Minneapolis Trans Community released a statement demanding:
- Competent police support for victims of brutality.
- An investigation into safety concerns within public transit for marginalized groups, specifically transgender individuals.
- Allyship from cisgender individuals when transgender people are attacked.
- Justice for Dahlia and Jess.
“With trans rights under attack, it’s more important than ever that we stand up for the safety of all,” said Minneapolis City Council Ward 7 member Katie Cashman.
Strengthening Community Bonds
In response to the attack and the broader climate of fear, the transgender community in Minneapolis is focusing on solidarity and empowerment. Self-defense classes are being organized, and some are attending courses on obtaining permits to carry handguns for personal protection.
“There’s an urgency for these self-defense classes right now,” Muhm explained. “People are about to get a lot more hostile and emboldened in their transphobia. So, what do we do to protect ourselves when we’re out?”
Kimmy Hull founded organizations like Sequeerity, which are stepping up to fill this need. “The day after Trump’s re-election, we were flooded with inquiries,” Hull said. “Our course is geared towards our marginalized communities. We talk about whether a firearm is actually the right tool for them, the mental health side of ownership, and the need for support systems and self-care.”
A Message of Resilience
Despite the challenges, there’s a strong sense of resilience within the community. “The transgender community is resilient and strong, and we’ve always existed,” Rep. Leigh Finke affirmed. “We don’t need the permission of the government to live and to love and to be ourselves.”
Muhm echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity. “The community here is beautiful. We’re building a movement, we’re going to get through this, and we’re going to be stronger for it. Minneapolis is going to be such a beautiful place for trans people to live.”
Advocates are working tirelessly to build robust support systems to help transgender individuals navigate these uncertain times. Twin Cities Pride has been actively raising awareness of local LGBTQIA+ organizations and providing mental health resources.
“We’ve had a lot of phone calls already this morning,” said Dot Belstler, Executive Director of Twin Cities Pride. “We pushed out some mental health crisis lines on our social media platforms.”
The call to action is clear: solidarity, support, and unwavering commitment to the safety and rights of transgender individuals. Allies are encouraged to stand up against transphobia, offer support when witnessing harassment or violence, and engage in efforts to create a more inclusive and safe society.
The Bottom Line
The attack on Dahlia and Jess is a stark reminder of the challenges that transgender individuals continue to face, even in states like Minnesota that have enacted protective laws. As the community grapples with the implications of a changing political landscape, the emphasis remains on unity, resilience, and proactive measures to ensure safety and well-being.
For transgender individuals, their families, and allies, now is the time to come together, support one another, and advocate for a future where everyone can live authentically without fear. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but with solidarity and determination, the community can and will persevere.
