Maxima Rodas shares nonbinary trans experience and supports Intro 134
Maxima Rodas of Make the Road New York's Trans Immigrant Project says avoiding incarceration is ideal but trans and gender-diverse people face heightened vulnerability. Rodas says housing decisions should consider gender identity and safety, and urges passage of Intros 133 and 134.
Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you, Chair Brooks Powers, the members of the Committee on Criminal Justice, and the New York City Council for holding this important hearing
on interest 133 and 134, which will strengthen protection for transgenders.
Gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex people in the Department of Correction and Custody.
My name is Maxima Rodas, and I'm a leader with the Trans Immigrant Project at Make the Road New York and several community organizations across New York City.
I think everyone here will agree that the ideal scenario is to avoid incarceration altogether.
But for many transgender, gender-expansive, and gender-diverse people like myself, our experiences with discrimination and policing can increase our vulnerability to the criminal legal system.
For people like me who identify as non-binary and trans, being placed in a housing unit with people whose gender identity does not align with ours can be overwhelming and traumatic.
We should not have to give up.
Our dignity or sense of safety simply because we are in custody.
That is why Introduction 134 is so important to me and why I'm here today to share my personal testimony.
The legislation will require the Department of Correction to consider a person's gender identity and personal sense of safety when making housing decisions.
It will also establish additional screening and a formal process to appeal housing decisions.
The mockery, abuse, and violence we face on the streets,
in the shelter system, in public places, and even between our own families are already excessive and enough.
It is unjust that on top of all of that,
When we have the misfortune of being incarcerated, we suffer the same dehumanization and humiliation between the penal system.
We urge the Council to pass Inches 133 and 134.
And to ensure that transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and intersex people in custody are treated with dignity, respect, and humanity.
Humanity.
Thank you very much for your time.
Thank you.