Jordan Gwendolyn Davis
Jordan Gwendolyn Davis (born January 12, 1985 in Ocean County, NJ[1]) is a transgender rights and disability rights activist most notable for her work in advancing transgender rights in Philadelphia,[2] as well as her advocacy against marriage penalties for disabled people [3]
Activism[edit]
During her time in Philadelphia, Davis agitated for numerous initiatives for the local transgender community, such as a City Council resolution that successfully got SEPTA to remove gender stickers from transit passes, as well as persuading then-Mayor Michael Nutter's office to issue a proclamation for Transgender Day Of Remembrance.[4]
Davis also pushed for many of the transgender related provisions on Bill No. 130224, this bill, which was introduced by then-council member Jim Kenney [5] and signed by the Mayor in 2013,[6] provided many unprecedented new rights to transgender Philadelphians, such as gender confirmation surgery for city employees, gender neutral bathrooms in city buildings, and gender neutral forms in city government.[7]
According to the Philadelphia Gay News [8]
Padilla and Davis were among the activists who met with Kenney to ensure the legislation was trans-inclusive.
Kenney said although he was worried the transgender protections could affect the legislation’s passage, talking with trans leaders such as Padilla and Davis convinced him those provisions were needed.
“Honestly, when I first started out, I was skeptical about getting it done and getting it passed, but the more and more I understand about the discrimination they faced and what they went through, the more meaningful the legislation became,” he said.
In addition, Davis also pushed for Philadelphia's first ever transgender awareness resolution in 2013 [9] and also, using her experiences with the healthcare and education system, assisted in the first ever statewide transgender rights legislation in Pennsylvania's history.[10][11]
She also has been a volunteer with the Justice 4 Nizah Committee, which advocates for a proper investigation of the suspicious death of Nizah Morris,[12][13][14] as well as Hearts On A Wire, a transgender prisoner justice group [15]
In addition, Davis is a staunch advocate of transgender women being allowed in women's space, stating that "“I believe that trans women are best supported by allowing them to access women’s spaces no matter what stage of transition they are in,” she told me, “and be mindful of the language of biological essentialism in everyday womanhood and feminism. I proudly identify as a feminist.”[16]
She has also worked on disability rights issues, bringing up issues of conversion therapy [17] and marriage penalties.[18]
Awards And Honors[edit]
She was honored, along with fellow transgender activist Kathy Padilla, as one of Philadelphia Gay News runners up for Person Of The Year,[19] and was honored by We Happy Trans in the 2015 Trans 100 [20]
Personal[edit]
Davis now lives in California
References[edit]
- ↑ http://www.outinjersey.net/3194-you-can-leave-nj-but
- ↑ http://www.phillymag.com/g-philly/2015/03/31/philadelphia-trans-100
- ↑ http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/06/29/op-ed-why-no-matter-what-i-still-cant-marry-my-girlfriend
- ↑ http://www.autostraddle.com/the-women-of-the-2015-trans-100-speak-up-about-supporting-trans-women-283730/
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/5870-22355605-city-council-passes-lgbt-equality-bill-first-in-the-nation
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/5894-22433601-nutter-to-sign-landmark-lgbt-bill-next-week
- ↑ http://transgenderlawcenter.org/archives/7757
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/6789-24321229-2013-person-of-the-year-runnersup
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/6631-24056033-council-passes-firstever-trans-resolution
- ↑ http://www.phillymag.com/g-philly/2015/02/10/rep-mark-cohen-introduces-two-transgender-rights-bills
- ↑ http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/changing-times-activists-say-proposed-health-legislation-is-a-step-forward-for-trans-rights-whether-it-passes-or-not/Content?oid=1808544
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/7482-25420821-news-briefing
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/7027-24733003-news-briefing
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/6862-24439107-news-briefing
- ↑ http://articles.philly.com/2014-08-22/news/53078077_1_transgender-people-lip-gloss-laverne-cox
- ↑ http://www.autostraddle.com/the-women-of-the-2015-trans-100-speak-up-about-supporting-trans-women-283730/
- ↑ https://autistichoya.net/press-clippings
- ↑ http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/06/29/op-ed-why-no-matter-what-i-still-cant-marry-my-girlfriend
- ↑ http://www.epgn.com/news/local/6789-24321229-2013-person-of-the-year-runnersup
- ↑ http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/04/01/year-s-transgender-and-gender-nonconforming-who-s-who
This article "Jordan Gwendolyn Davis" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
