About
Hi, my name is Nikki and I am an ally of the trans community. Trans Defense Fund Los Angeles (TDFLA) is a mutual aid resource that I created as a response to learning about the disproportionate violence that trans women of color face. This is NOT a non-profit! I am a logistics person through and through and love to make things happen. I am always in need of volunteers and am extremely proud to have grown such an incredible community and network of care through this project.
One in five trans women report feeling threatened or harassed on an almost daily basis, and 45% of trans women and men report feeling threatened or harassed weekly, compared to 19% of cisgender people. The estimated life expectancy of a Black trans woman is only 35 years old. We need to step it up and do more to protect our trans siblings.
Trans Defense Fund LA aims to provide trans individuals living in Los Angeles with safety kits. Through donations from individuals in our community, we have been able to supply over 3,000 individuals with safety kits to date!
We host trauma-informed self-defense classes with the help of an amazing trainer, Vanessa. We are always looking for more trainers who are allies or a part of the community to lead our classes.
TDFLA partners with various initiatives in our Los Angeles community to provide the trans community with free resources, whether that's a free meal from a local eatery or a free beauty and wellness bag.
Transgender women of color were the leaders in LGBTQ+ activism before, during, and after the uprising at the Stonewall Inn 54 years ago, but they have never been put at the center of the movement they helped start. We need to continue to support trans folks and fight against the epidemic of violence against Black and Brown trans women. The combination of racism and transphobia leaves them unprotected and in harm’s way. It is our mission to make sure that trans women especially feel more protected.
We view mutual aid as looking out for one another in the same way you look out for your neighbors or friends who need support. This is not a business, a 501(c)(3), a tax write-off, nor do I capitalize off of this project. I am happy to give advice to anyone who wants to organize and start their own mutual aid project. Contact transdefensefundla@gmail.com for any inquiries.
**Safety items in the kits are intended for personal safety and should only be used in accordance with local laws. Before using any tools, please familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in your jurisdiction, as certain items may be subject to legal restrictions.