Jordan Gwendolyn Davis
Jordan Gwendolyn Davis (born January 12, 1985, in Ocean County, NJ[1]) is a transgender rights and disability rights activist, notable for her work advancing transgender rights in Philadelphia,[2] and her advocacy against marriage penalties for disabled people. [3]
Activism
During her time in Philadelphia, Davis championed numerous initiatives for the local transgender community, including a successful City Council resolution urging SEPTA to remove gender stickers from transit passes, and persuading then-Mayor Michael Nutter's office to issue a proclamation for Transgender Day of Remembrance.[4]
Davis also played a key role in the development of many transgender-related provisions within Bill No. 130224. This bill, introduced by then-Councilmember Jim Kenney [5] and signed by the Mayor in 2013,[6] granted numerous 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, though he was initially worried about the transgender protections' potential impact on the legislation's passage, talks with trans leaders like Padilla and Davis convinced him of their necessity.
"Honestly, when I first started out, I was skeptical about getting it done and getting it passed, but the more I understood the discrimination they faced and what they went through, the more meaningful the legislation became," he said.
Furthermore, Davis spearheaded Philadelphia's first transgender awareness resolution in 2013 [9] and, drawing on her experiences with healthcare and education systems, played a part in Pennsylvania's first statewide transgender rights legislation.[10][11]
She also volunteered with the Justice 4 Nizah Committee, advocating for a proper investigation into the suspicious death of Nizah Morris,[12][13][14] and Hearts On A Wire, a transgender prisoner justice group. [15]
Additionally, Davis actively advocates for transgender women's access to women's spaces, stating, "I believe that trans women are best supported by allowing them access to women's spaces no matter what stage of transition they are in, and by being 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, addressing conversion therapy and marriage penalties.[17][18]
Awards And Honors
Davis, along with Kathy Padilla, was recognized as a runner-up for Person of the Year by the Philadelphia Gay News. [19] She was also honored by We Happy Trans in the 2015 Trans 100. [20]
Personal
Davis currently resides in California.
References
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "Archived Copy". Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-06-28.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
- ↑ 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
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