the GENDER issue / POETRY
Case Study in Disrespecting Gender
by D'mani Thomas
Photo: Michelle "Tamika" Washington, a Black transgender woman from Philadelphia, PA who was murdered in May 2019.
A moment of silence please
for Black trans womxn & Black gender fuckers
Dana Martin was to Apple as Jazzaline Ware was to Lime as Ashanti Carmon was
to Orange as Claire Legato was to Lemon as Muhlaysia Booker was
to Mango as Michelle “Tamika” Washington was to Kiwi as
Paris Cameron was to Watermelon.
show me skin that won't open with a blade
and I'll show you uh violence not given at birth
Chynal Lindsey.
Johana Medina Leon.
Chanel Scurlock.
Zoe Spears.
Denali Berries Stuckey.
Tracy Single.
Kiki Fantroy.
Pebbles LaDime Doe.
Bailey Reeves.
Bee Love.
Yeah I’d like to remember a history not preached in blood. but this is not
the space the time to forget
In making this memorial I am one step closer to understanding gender
or lack
boy with no gender holds vigil and one person shows up
gender fucker, what do you want to be remembered as
fruit or the people
I offer: a white space in which we do not die
D’mani Thomas is a defender of Oakland, lover of Outkast, Buffy the Vampire enthusiast, horror film fanatic and a 2017 & 2018 Cal SLAM National Poetry team member. His work often meditates on resurrection, music, black queer living, being a nerd, and writing the future.