The Trans Safety Guide

TheTrans SafetyGuide

Copyright©2023byTransWaveJamaica. Thisbookoranyportionthereofmaynot bereproducedorusedinanymanner whatsoeverwithouttheexpressedwritten permissionofthepublisherexceptforthe useofbriefquotationsinabookreview.

GlossaryofTerms

Gendernon-conforming definespeoplewhohaveagenderexpression thatdoesnotconformtotraditionalgendernorms.

HIV:Humanimmunodeficiencyvirus isavirusthatattacksthebody's immunesystem.

LGBTQIA: AnacronymusedtosignifyGay,Lesbian,Bisexual, Transgender,Queer,Intersex,andAsexualpeoplecollectively.Non-binary: describessomeonewhosegenderidentityisn'texclusivelywomanor man.

PrEP: Pre-ExposureProphylaxiscanreduceyourchanceofgettingHIV fromsexorinjectiondruguse.

Transgender: Thisdescribesapersonwhosegenderidentityisdifferent fromtheonetheywereassignedatbirth.Theirgenderidentityoften contrastsgendertheyareassignedinrelationtotheirsex.

1.Transmasculine: Thisumbrellagenerallydescribespeoplewhowere assignedfemaleatbirth(AFAB)butidentifyonthemasculineendofthe genderspectrum.Transmasculinepeopledonotnecessarilyidentifyas menbutinstead,theirdress,behaviour,mannerismsetcaremore masculine.Sometransmasculinepeoplestillpresentfeminineaspectsof themselves.

2.Transfeminine: Thisumbrellagenerallydescribespeoplewhowere assignedmaleatbirth(AMAB)butidentifyonthefeminineendofthe genderspectrum.Transfemininepeopledonotnecessarilyidentifyas womenbutinstead,theirdress,behaviour,mannerismsetcaremore feminine.Somefemininepeoplestillpresentmasculineaspectsof themselves.

3.Transition: Thisdescribesasetofstepstakenbytransgenderpeople, toaffirmtheirgender.Thiscouldincludechangingtheirname,dress, pronouns,beginninghormonetherapyandgettinggender-affirming surgery.Theprocessoftransitioninglooksdifferentforalltranspeople anddoesnothavetoincludeallthecommonactionsinordertobevalid.

STI: Sexuallytransmittedinfectionsareconditionsarespreadmainlyby unprotectedsexualcontact

Wemustbeginbythankingourbeautifulcommunity.Yourbraveryand willingnesstounitetoimproveourcollectiveexperienceshasinspiredthis guide.Wearetrulyagroupofdiverse,intellectual,andcreativepeoplewho yearnforsafetyandcommunity.Youhavemadethisworkpossible. ThisprojectwouldnotbepossiblewithoutthecontributionsoftheCanada FundforLocalInitiatives(CFLI).

Wealsoextendgratitudetoallthecontributorstothisguide:KhalilGordon (karateinstructor),SheréSamuels(staff),ChadayEmmanuel(staff),Lamar Grant(staff)andSudeanPeters(staff).ToKhalil,thankyouforbeinganally andtailoringyourtipstotheneedsofthecommunity.Tothestaff,thank youforrecognizingtheneedforthisworkandgivingityourall.

Thankyou,RenaeGreen,ExecutiveDirectorofTransWave,foryourguidance onthisproject.Mostimportantly,thankyoutoallthereadersofthisguide.

WhatistheTransSafetyGuide:

TheTransSafetyGuideisacomprehensiveandholisticdocumentaimed toprovidethetransgender,gendernon-conformingandnon-binary communitywithoptionsandpathwaystosafelynavigaterecreational spaces,datingandhealthcare.Theprevalenceofhomophobiaand transphobiainJamaicahascausedsafetytobeapervasiveissueinthe transcommunity.Coupledwiththat,highrisksexualbehaviourshave surgedtheincidenceofHIV-contractionwithinourcommunities.These issueshavemadethecreationofthisguideparamounttoTransWave Jamaica-wewanttoprotectYOU.

Whilethisguideprovidestipsaboutprotectingyourself,alwayscheck withyourdoctorsandothermedicalprofessionalsaboutthemethods thatarerightforyourhealth.

Safespaces

Whatare SafeSpaces?

AccordingtoOxfordLanguages,SafeSpacesareplacesoranenvironment inwhichapersonorcategoryofpeoplecanfeelconfidentthattheywill notbeexposedtodiscrimination,criticism,harassment,oranyother emotionalorphysicalharm.

IfIwaitforsomeoneelse tovalidatemyexistence, itwillmeanthatI’m shortchangingmyself.

-ZaneleMuholi, artist(non-binary)

Whatare Safe Workspaces?

Whatisa SocialSafe Space?

Initssimplestofform,safesocialspacearethosespacespersonscan socializewithoutfeelingdiscriminatedagainstonanygrounds.

Thingstolookoutforinsafespaces:

-Location

-Policies

-Hospitality

-Trust

-Diverseandinclusivestaff

-Safetymeasures(securityguards, securitycamerasetc.)

SafeSpaces inJamaica:

Kingston

Chilitos TheHaven Starbucks

RegencyatTerraNovaTheChive ACHotel

MontegoBay

BreathlessResort 24/7Lounge Iberostar

AltamontWestHotel HiltonRoseHallDoctor’sCaveBeach

JamaicanStyleVilla DeJaResort Peppas

TropicalCourts Donway

BrandonHillGuestHouse

DATING

OnlineDating:

TheLGBTIQ+communityisvibrant,strong,creative,andresilient—inlarge partbecauseithashadtobe.Acrosstheglobe,LGBTIQ+peoplecontinue toexperiencediscrimination,inequality,violenceandabusebecauseof theirsexualorientationandgenderidentity.Inthefaceofthesethreatsand challenges,ourever-resourcefulqueercommunityhasturnedtointernet— andmorespecifically,socialnetworks—forsafercommunication, networking,andmobilizing.Withusersworldwide,onlinedatinghas becomeavitalpartofthecommunityandhasflourishedasauniqueplace forqueerpeopletoconnect.Butwhileonlinedatingisintendedasasafe space,itisfeaturesalsohavethepotentialtoputusersatrisk.

DatingApps

Grindr Tinder

Donotpostpictureswithidentifiablefeatures:Ifyouliveinaplace wherehavingyouridentityshownonadatingappputsyouatrisk, therearemanywaystousetheappwithoutputtingyourselfin danger.Donotshowyourfaceoranyotheridentifiablefeature, includingtattoos,furniture,homedecoration,orsurroundingscenery

Clearmetadatawhenyoutakeaphoto.Camerasautomaticallyadd metadatawhenyoutakeaphoto.Thishiddeninfocaninclude location,date,time,andlocationofthephoto.Evenifaphotodoes notGUIDEshowyourfaceoranyotherdetailsthatcouldexposeyour identity,aphoto’smetadatacanstillbeusedtolearnagreatdealof informationaboutyou.Therearemanyappsthatremovethisdata foryoubeforesharingphotoswithstrangers.

1 2

Ifyouarechattingwithsomeoneandwouldliketosendapicture, considerblurringcertainidentifiablefeaturestomaskwhoyouare. Itcanstillbeaniceandfunwaytosharepictureswithpeople, withoutfullyshowingyourself.Remember,blurringdoesnotalways workbecausesomesoftwarecanreversetheblurfeature.Tryusing apicturethatrepresentsyouinadifferentwaysuchasonerelated toyourhobbiesorpersonality.

3

Whentalkingtopeopleyoudonotknowwell,itisbettertocover thecameraonyoursmartphone,laptop,ortablet.ForAndroidusers youcandoitdigitallywiththeCameraBlockerapp.

Tips 4

Meetinasafelocation.Sharingyourhomeaddresscanberisky.Make sureyoufeelcomfortablewithsomeonepriortomeeting.Ifyouare readytomeetsomeone,trymeetingataplaceknowntobefriendly toLGBTQ+peopleifthereisoneinyourarea.Ifyouwanttocontinue chattingoutsideofGrindr,considerusingsecuremessagingappsthat useend-to-endencryption.AfewoftheseincludeWire,Signal,Jitsi, andAppear.PleasenoteonWireyoudonotneedtoregisterwithyour phonenumber,youcansimplyregisterwithanemailaddressifyou wantto.InSignal,youcansetatimeforthemessagestobedeleted. Afteraspecifiedperiod,yourconversationwillautomaticallydisappear.

5

Donotuseyourpersonalinformationonyourdatingappprofile.Do notspecifyyourname,address,phonenumber,oranyotherinfothat couldhelpidentifyyouinyourprofile.Displayingyourpersonalinfoon datingappsincreasestheriskofsomeoneidentifyingyoursocialmedia profiles.

6

DonotConnectYourSocialMediaAccounts:Someappsalloworrequire youtologinwithanothersocialmediaaccount.Connectingbetween differentsocialmediaandcommunicationtoolscangivesomeone waysoffindinginfoaboutyou.Ifthatisthecase,considerthefollowing steps:Useadifferentnameondatingappsthanwithothersocialmedia apps.Provideadifferentphonenumberandemailaddressthanyou usuallyuse.Donotconnectorsigninthroughsocialmedia,ifpossible. Ifrequired,haveaseparatesocialmediaaccountjustforlogginginto socialnetworkingapps.Donotprovideaphonenumberunless necessary.

7

AvoidBrowsingOnlineviaWi-FiHotspot:Wi-Fihotspotsinpublicplaces suchasairports,coffeeshops,libraries,andhotelsareconvenient,but toooftenarenotsecure.Ifthereisnoalternativeoptiontousingthese insecurenetworks,andiftherearenolegalimplicationstodoso,we recommendthatyoualwaysuseavirtualprivatenetwork(VPN)onyour phone.

8

DatingInRealLife:

Whendatinginperson,ourvulnerabilitiesastranspeopleincrease. Thereareseveralfactorstoconsiderensuringyourutmostsafety whenmeetingsomeoneinperson.

Herearesometipstoconsider.

Makesureyourphoneisfully charged.Bringacharging batterywithyouonlongdates. Neverleaveyourdrinks unattended.Ifyouwalkaway fromadrink,donotdrinkit.

Giveyourdatelocation toafriendorfamily member.Updatethem onyourmovements.

Alwaystrustyourinstinctif youfeeluncomfortable.

Whenchoosingadatelocationchoosesomewherethatiswell populated.Chooseaplacethatisassafeaspossible(security, securedpropertyetc)youarefamiliarandcomfortablewith.

Ifyouwanttokeepyourhome addressprivate,meetyourdate atthelocationinsteadof havingthempickyouup.

Ensurethatafriend orfamilymemberhas yourdate'snameand contactdetails.

Giveyourfriendorfamilymemberregularupdateson yourwhereaboutsandsafety.Youcanalsoaskyour friendtocallyouanhourintothedatetocheckin.

Sharepicturesofyourdate withyourfriendsandfamily.

SEXUALHEALTH

SEXUALHEALTH

Sexualhealthisavitalpartofyourholisticwellness.Whendatingand engaginginsexualrelationships,therearenumerousfactorstoconsider soyoukeepyourselfandyourpartnerssafefromSTIs.Herearesomeways toprotectyourselfsexually.

Overview

AccordingtotheWorldHealthorganization(WHO)(2002),sexualhealthis definedas“astateofphysical,emotional,mentalandsocialwell-being relatedtosexuality.”Contrarytopopularbelief,sexualhealthdoesnot focusmerelyontheabsenceofdisease,dysfunction,orinfirmity,italso looksatthepositiveandrespectfulapproachtosexualityandsexual relationships,aswellasthepossibilityofhavingpleasurableandsafe sexualexperiences,freeofcoercion,discrimination,andviolence.

WhatisSaferSex?

Safersexisabouttakingstepstoprotectyourselfandyourpartnersfrom sexuallytransmittedinfections.

Howtoprotectyoursexualhealth,ifyouchoosetobesexuallyactive, therearewaysyoucanhelpprotectyoursexualhealth.

Keywaysinclude:

Talkingtoyourpartnerabout yoursexualrelationships

Contraception

Usingcondomsanddentaldams

Beingawareofhowalcoholanddrugs canaffectdecision-making

Gettingtestedforsexuallytransmitted infectionsifyouthinkyoumayhaveput yourselfatrisk

Limitingyournumberofsexualpartners

Avoidingoverlappingsexualrelationships

Gender-affirminghormonesarenotbirthcontrol.Genderaffirminghormonetreatment(GAHT)canreduceyour periodorhowmuchspermyourbodymakes.Butitisstill possibletogetpregnantevenifyouareonhormones.

Gender-affirminghormonesdonotreduceyour riskofgettingSTD.Differentinfectionsspread differently,likethroughskin-to-skincontactor throughbodyfluids.

TipsonSafer Sexasatrans ornonbinary person

Barriermethodsforbirthcontrolandsafersex— likeexternalcondoms,dentaldams,andinternal condoms—aregoodtoolsfortransandnonbinary people.

Trans,nonbinary,andintersexpeoplehavedevelopedbarrier methodsespeciallyfortheirbodies.Forexample,acon-damisa barriermadefromalatexornitrileglovethathasbeencutto functionasadentaldamwithasmallexternalcondomattached. Con-damscanhelppreventSTDsduringoralsexforsomeone whohasavulvaandsmallererectanatomythatwouldnotfitin astandardexternalcondom.

LubecanhelpreduceyourriskofgettinganSTD.Itdoesthisby reducingfriction,whichcancausetearswhereSTDscangetintoyour body.Lubeisespeciallyimportantforsomekindsofpenetrativesex whenaperson’sbodypartcannotlubricateitself.Peoplewhohavea vulvaandhadavaginoplastyorhavebeentakingtestosterone commonlyhavelittleornolubricationintheirvaginaorfronthole.

Gender-affirmingsurgeriescanreducethepossibilityofpregnancy, dependingonthesurgery.Forexample,ahysterectomy,vaginectomy, ororchiectomywouldpreventpregnancypermanently.

Femininetips

Condomsanddams:

HumanPapilloma Virus(HPV)

Whetheryouhavehadbottomsurgery ornot,thebestwaytoprotectyourself andyourpartneragainstSTIsistouse acondom.Useanewcondomwith eachpartnerandneverusethesame oneforanalandvaginalsex.

Manypeoplewithavagina/front holeareatriskofHPVandmay benefitfromtheHPVvaccine. Peoplewithacervix,whoarewithin cervicalscreeningguidelines, shouldbesupportedtoaccess recommendedCervicalScreening Tests(CST),whileconsideringthat manytranspeoplewithacervix findthecervicalscreeningprocess uncomfortableorpainful.

Theycomeinavarietyofsizesandmaterials(includinglatex-allergy free).Ifyouarehavingsexformorethanhalfanhour,itisagoodideato changethecondomtopreventitbreaking.

Externalcondomsgooverapenis orsextoy.

Whenusinglube,useonlywaterbasedorsilicon-basedlubeswith condomsandnotoil-basedlubesor lotions,whichweakenlatex.Avoidsil‐icone-basedlubricantwithsilicone dildosandsextoysasitcandegrade thesurface.

Internalcondoms(formerlyknownas Femidoms)goinsidethevaginaor anus(removethetopringforanal sex).Notalltranswomen/AMABnonbinarypeoplewhohavehadlower surgerycanuseinternalcondoms–it willdependuponthedepthofyour vagina.

Dentaldamsconsistofasheetofla‐texusedasabarrierinoral-vaginal sexandrimmingwhichcanprevent thetransmissionofSTIs.

HIVtestingandtreatment

Ifyouarehavingsex,itisagoodideatotest forHIVatleastonceayear,ormoreoften ifyouchangepartnersorhavecasualor newpartnersorhavebeendiagnosedwith anSTI.ItiseasiertoacquireorpassonHIV ifyouhaveanotherSTI. HIVtreatmentishighlyeffectiveandmeans youcanhavealong,healthylife.MostHIV medicationissafetotakewithhormone therapy.However,yourdoctorcanhelpyou choosethetreatmentthatisbestforyou. Itisbettertoknowyourstatusandstart treatmentearlytopreventseriousillness.

—LaverneCox

I’veneverbeeninterestedin beinginvisibleanderased.

Typesof safersex:

Analandvaginal/ frontalsex

Useaninternalorexternalcondom. Usewater-basedorsilicone-basedlube.

Infectionssuchasherpes,genitalwartsand syphiliscanbetransmittedthroughregular skin-to-skincontact.Abarriersuchasa condom,dentaldamorlatexglovereduces riskbutonlyprotectsthecoveredarea.

Useadifferentcondomwitheachpartner, andwhenapenis/sextoyismovedbetween vagina/frontholeandanus.

Hasaminimalriskbutitisstillpossibleto getorpassonSTIssuchasherpes,syphilis, orgonorrhoea.

HasanextremelyminimalriskofHIV transmission.

Avoidifyouhavebleedinggums,ulcers,a sorethroatorhadrecentdentalwork.

Avoidreceivingoralsexuntilyouarefully healedfromgenitalsurgeryasthereisa riskofinfection.

Avoidlettingapartnerejaculateinyour mouth–youcanalsouseflavouredcondoms ordentaldams.

Fingering

Makesureyoudonothaveanycutsonyour handsorfingers.Keepyournailsshortand useplentyoflube.

Cleanyourhandsthoroughlyusingwarm soapywaterbeforefingeringadifferent partnerasfluidscantransferonthesurface offingers.

Usealatexglovetocoverthefingeroravoid fingeringmorethanoneperson.

Frottageinvolvesrubbinggenitalstogether withoutanypenetrativesex.

Minimalriskbutachanceoftransferring skin-contactbacteriaorviruses(suchas herpes,syphilis,orgenitalwarts).

Parasites(suchasscabiesorcrabs)canbe passedviaskincontact.

ThishadanextremelyminimalriskforHIV, butitispossibletopickuphepatitisAor bacterialinfectionssuchasshigellaor gonorrhoea.

Goodpersonalhygienecanreducerisks slightly.

Useabarrierlikeadentaldamtocoverthe anus.

Useadifferentcondomwitheachpartner, andwhenapenis/sextoyismovedbetween vagina/frontholeandanus.

Bondage,fistingorS&Mcanresultinbleeding ortearingoftheanus,vagina/fronthole,or mouth,providingarouteforSTIs,HIVand hepatitis.

Uselatexgloveswhenfistinganddonot shareapotoflubeasminutetracesofblood canbetransferredontoyourhands,making iteasytopassonhepatitisC.

Rimmingislicking someone’sanus.

Frottage

Roughersex

PrEP

PrEP(pre-exposure-prophylaxis)isapillthatprotectsyoufromHIV.Itis takenbyHIV-negativepeoplebeforeandaftersex.TakingPrEPbeforeand aftersexmeansthereisenoughdruginsideyoutoblockHIVifitgetsinto yourbody–beforeithasthechancetotakehold.Itishighlyeffectiveat stoppingHIVfrombeingtransmittedwhentakencorrectly.PrEPoffers protectionduringvaginal/frontalandanalsex.Itissafetousefortrans womenandtransfemininepeopleandiseffectiveregardlessofanygenderaffirmingsurgeriesthatyouhavehad,includingvaginoplasty.

PrEPandhormonetreatment:

PrEPdoesnotaffectorinteractwithyourhormonetreatment.TheBritish HIVAssociationguidelinesnotethattherearenoknowninteractions betweenPrEPandgender-affirminghormones.PrEPwillnotstopany hormonesyouaretakingfromworking.Additionally,PrEPdoesnotcause fatredistributioninthebodyorface.

IsPrEPrightforyou?

PrEPmightberightforyouifyouareHIVnegativeandhavesexinavariety ofsituationswherecondomsarenoteasilyoralwaysused.Itgivesyou empowerment,particularlyifyouareareceptivepartner,orbottom,by takingcontroloverprotectingyourselffromHIVtransmission.

TransMasculinetips

Takingtestosterone/T:

Testosterone(orT)canchangevagina/frontholelubrication,soyoumight findyoudonotproduceenough.Itmaybebecausethenaturalacidityin thelubricationhaschanged,makingyoumorevulnerabletoinfectionslike cystitis.Thisismoreofanissueduringthefirstfewyearsontestosterone. Makesureyoualwayshaveenoughlube.

Reducedlevelsofoestrogenaffectthethicknessofthewallsofthefront hole,whichmayresultintinyunnoticedtearshappeningmoreeasilyifyou arehavingfrontalsex.Thewallsoftherectumcanbeaffectedinthesame way.Makingitevenmoreimportanttousecondomsandlube.

Testosteroneandcontraception:

Beingontestosteronewilldecreaseyourfertility,andlong-termusecan leadtoinfertility.Withinafewmonthsofstartingtestosterone,periods usuallystop.Overtimethereproductivesystemwillgothroughaprocess likemenopause,whichwillthintheliningoftheuterusandcausethe ovariestoshrink.

However,testosteroneisnotaneffectiveformofcontraceptionand,ifyou donotwanttogetpregnant,youshoulduseaneffectiveformofcontra‐ception.Consistentcondomusewillpreventpregnancybutthereareother things,suchasthecoil,implant,injection,orpill,whichcanbesafelytaken withtestosteroneandaremoreeffectivethancondomsatpreventing pregnancy.

Typesof safersex:

Cleanthemthoroughlyusingwarmsoapy waterbeforeusingthemwithdifferent peopletoavoidsharingfluids.

Useanewcondomforeachnewperson orwhenmovingfromanustofronthole. Sextoyscancausetinyunnoticedtearsto theskinliningthefrontholeortheanus sousecondomsandlube.

Rimmingislicking someone’sanus.

ThishadanextremelyminimalriskforHIV, butitispossibletopickuphepatitisAor bacterialinfectionssuchasshigellaor gonorrhoea.

Goodpersonalhygienecanreducerisks slightly.

Useabarrierlikeadentaldamtocoverthe anus.

Frottageinvolvesrubbinggenitalstogether withoutanypenetrativesex.

Minimalriskbutachanceoftransferring skin-contactbacteriaorviruses(suchas herpes,syphilis,orgenitalwarts).

Parasites(suchasscabiesorcrabs)canbe passedviaskincontact.

Usingsextoys Fingering

Makesureyoudonothaveanycutsonyour handsorfingers.Keepyournailsshortand useplentyoflube.

Cleanyourhandsthoroughlyusingwarm soapywaterbeforefingeringadifferent partnerasfluidscantransferonthesurface offingers.

Usealatexglovetocoverthefingeroravoid fingeringmorethanoneperson.

Useadifferentcondomwitheachpartner, andwhenapenis/sextoyismovedbetween vagina/frontholeandanus.

Bondage,fistingorS&Mcanresultin bleedingortearingoftheanus,vagina/front hole,ormouth,providingarouteforSTIs, HIVandhepatitis.

Uselatexgloveswhenfistinganddonot shareapotoflubeasminutetracesofblood canbetransferredontoyourhands,making iteasytopassonhepatitisC.

Frottage

Roughersex

Selfdefence

Learninghowtodefendyourselfagainstpotentialattackerswillgiveyou moreconfidenceasyoudateonlineandinperson.Unfortunately,trans peoplearedisproportionatelyaffectedbyviolenceinJamaica. Consequently,itisimportanttoequipyourselfwiththetoolstodefend yourselfinthecaseofanattack.

Herearesomeself-defencetips:

Chinup,backstraight,and walkwithpurpose.Looking meekandsmallmaybe greatprivately,butinpublic itmakesyouatarget. WalkingwithyourPRIDE makesyoulessappealing totarget,thatisashield thatwillwardoffmanyan aggressor.

Letussaysomeonewraps theirarmaroundyourneck. Usebothhandstograbtheir forearmandpullitaway fromyourneck.Tuckyour chin,twistyourbodyaway fromtheirelbowandthen pushthearmupasyouduck underit.Nowgivethema hardshovetogaindistance.

Youreyesareyourbesttool tostaysafe.Asyouare walkinglookahead,behind andtoeithersideofthe streettocheckifanyoneis toocloseorisfollowingyou fromadistance.

Nothingsaysstylishlike sendingaphotoofyour limo’slicenseplatetoyour friends.Donothavea limo?Callacabandbe suretositbehindthe driver’sseat.Theywillhave ahardertimereachingyou whenyouarebehindthem ifyouarenotinthemood tosharefashionadvice.

Ifsomeonehandsygrabs yourwrist,turnyourarm overinsmallcircleandpull yourarmawaytobreak theirgriponyou.Finishby pushingthepersonaway withbothhandsand steppingback.

Phoneinhandasyouare walking?Thatwillgetyou thewrongtypeofattention.

3.EyesonthePrize

1.WalkwithPRIDE

6.WrongTypeof Paparazzi

2.Grabbedfrom Behind?

4.TravelSafeand inStyle

5.Handsoffthe Merchandise

7.Longnails?No problem

Ifaconfrontationgets physical,hereishowtowin thefisticuffs.Mostpeople startafightwitharight swingtotheface.Bring yourleftfisttoyour shoulderthenliftyourleft armuntilyourelbowis pointingforward(like running).Yourarmisnow protectingyourtempleand chin.Followupbythrusting theheelofyourrighthand towardstheirface, breakingthenose.

Twohandsonyourneck andtheyneverpaidfor dinner?Trythis.Putyour rightarmoverandthen undertheirtwoforearms. Interlaceyourfingersand thentwist,pushingupon yourleftsideandtwisting downwithyourrightelbow. Thatshouldwrenchtheir handsoffandawayfrom you.Followupwithan elbowtothefaceandthen

9.LGBT...K?Wait, thatisaknife

Sometimeshatershave sharpopinions.Saynoto thehatebyputtingone handontheotherinanX andpushingyourarms downwardstoblock.Aim fortheforearmandpush yourbuttbackasyoupress theknifedownandaway fromyou.Dothisblockif theyareaimingatyour stomachandyoushould surprisethemlongenough

10.TriggerWarning: S.Assault

Havingsomeoneontopof youthatyoudonotwant canbeascarysituation.If theirhandisonyourbody, useonehandtograbtheir handandanothertograb athumborfingerandyank itbacktobreakit.Bring yourlegsuptoyourchest andkickthemawayasthey aredistractedbythepain.

8.Handsbelowthe Neck!

INTERACTION WITHTHEPOLICE

Knowingyourrightsisvitalpartofinteractingsafelywiththepolice.As transpeople,itisevenmorethatwedosotoprotectourselvesfromantitransviolence.Below,youwillfindinformationthatguidesyouonthe legalityofyourinteractionswithlawenforcement.

Pleasenote:

YourPerson

Apoliceofficercansearchyou onaship/boatorifyoulanded fromaship/boat,oncehehas goodreasontodoso

Nogeneralpowerto randomlysearchyou

YourProperty

Policemusthaveawarrantto searchyourhouse

Withoutwarrant,policemust askyourpermissiontosearch you

Policeoughtnottosearch youforcibly/arbitrarily

Theymusttellyoutheyhave thewarrantbeforetheybegin theirsearch

Youmustbegivenacopyofthe warrant

Mustbetoldwhyyouare beingsearched

Theymustonlyconductsearch inyourpresenceandunder yourobservation

Women&girlsmustonlybe searchedbyafemaleofficer. Ifnoneisavailable,afemale memberofthepublicmaybe askedtoassist

Withoutawarranttheycannot searchwithoutyourconsent Donotneedawarrantifs/he believesstolengoodsarekept thereand/orifyouwere previouslyconvictedoflarceny/ receivingstolengoods

ARREST

Ordinarilyawarrantisneededtoeffectanarresthowever:

-Apoliceofficercanarrestyouwithoutawarrantifyouarefound committinganoffence.MustbebroughtbeforeaJusticetoenquireinto thecircumstancesofyourarrest&eitherbecommitted,released,or grantedbail.

-Apoliceofficercanarrestyouoncehehasawarrantforyourarrest,even ifhedoesnothaveitonhimattimeofarrest.Warrantmustbeshownto youassoonaspossibleafteryourarrest.WarrantmustbesignedbyJP.

-Policeofficercanarrestyouwithoutwarrantifyouareknownor suspectedtobeinunlawfulpossessionofdangerousandprohibited drugs,instrumentforillegallottery

-Youmustbeinformedofyourrightsandthereasonforyourarrest

-Youmustnotbeforcedintoavehiclewithoutanexplanationofwhatis happeningandwhereyouaregoing

-Ifyouarebeingcharged,youmustbeinformedofthechargeandnature oftheoffence

-Youhavetherighttorefusetoanswerquestions

Resources

LarryChangFoundation

Cost:Free

OpeningHours:24hoursTelNumbers:876-844-9366

Address:St.Ann

Services:Safehouse

ChildrenFirstAgency

Cost:Free

Service:HIV(HumanImmunodeficiencyVirus)andSyphilistesting.

Openinghours:AvailableMonday-Fridaybetweenthehoursof9am-5pm

Address:2MoreshamAvenue,Kingston10

JamaicaAIDSSupportforLife

Cost:Free

Service:HIVpreventionandeducationOpeninghours:Monday-Friday.9 am-4pm.Contactnumber:876-925-0021

Address:3HendonDrive,Kingston20.

LegalSupportthroughJamaicansforJustice

ContactNumbers:

Office:+1(876)615-5023/4+1(876)755-4524/5

WhatsApp:+1(876)322-8205

E-mail:

GeneralInquiries:admin@jamaicansforjustice.org

RedressandLegalServices:complaints@jamaicansforjustice.org

References

Grindr.(2020). Grindrholisticsecurityguide.

RetrievedMarch14,2023,from

https://www.grindr.com/assets/pdf/g4e/1022_G4E-HolisticSecurityGuide-NigerianPidgin.pdf

Parenthood,P. (n.d.). Safersex("safesex"):Reduceyourriskof gettingstds.PlannedParenthood.

RetrievedMarch14,2023,from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/safer-sex

Safersexandsexualhealthfortransmasculinepeople.Safer sexandsexualhealthfortransmasculinepeople|Terrence HigginsTrust.(2023).

RetrievedMarch14,2023,from

https://www.tht.org.uk/hiv-and-sexual-health/sexual-health/trans-people/trans-masculine/ safer-sex

WorldHealthOrganization.(2006). Sexualhealth.World HealthOrganization.

RetrievedMarch14,2023,from

https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexual-health#tab=tab_2