this post was submitted on 12 Jul 2025
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Welcome to the sixth week of reading Trans Liberation: Beyond Pink or Blue by Leslie Feinberg!

If you're just getting started, here's a link to the thread for

We're only doing one chapter per week and the discussion threads will be left open, so latecomers are still very much welcome to join if interested.

As mentioned before... This isn't just a book for trans people! If you're cis, please feel free to join and don't feel intimidated if you're not trans and/or new to these topics.

Here is a list of resources taken from the previous reading group session:

pdf download
epub download - Huge shout out to comrade @EugeneDebs for putting this together. I realized I didn't credit them in either post but here it is. I appreciate your efforts. ❤️
chapter 1 audiobook - Huge shout out to comrade @futomes for recording these. No words can truly express my appreciation for this. Thank you so much. ❤️
chapter 2 audiobook
chapter 3 audiobook
chapter 4 audiobook
chapter 5 audiobook
chapter 6 audiobook
chapter 7 audiobook
chapter 8 audiobook

Also here's another PDF download link and the whole book on ProleWiki.

In this thread we'll be discussing Chapter 6: In the Spirit of Stonewall

CWs for this chapter: Mentions of transphobia, physical assault, and SA.

This chapter covers a speech given by Feinberg at a conference of regional Pride Committees at a hotel in Central New Jersey. The speech focuses on the topic of queer solidarity and solidarity of the queer community with other marginalized groups.

There are two Portrait sections included in this chapter:

The first is by Sylvia Rivera (pictured in the thumbnail), where she talks about her experience at Stonewall and her history of activism, including the founding of STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), becoming a member of the Young Lords, and meeting Huey Newton.

The second is by Craig Hickman, where he describes his life and experiences as a black drag queen as well as views on gender.

I'll ping whoever has been participating so far, but please let me know if you'd like to be added (or removed).

Feel free to let me know if you have any feedback also. Thanks!

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[–] Cowbee@hexbear.net 8 points 3 days ago

An injury to one is an injury to all! When we allow ourselves to be split along lines of oppression, we always lose. But when we put forward a collective list of demands together, and fight to defend each other from attacks, we frequently win.

I think this quote best summarizes this chapter, and again, reinforces that pattern of attacking the common enemy of oppression along alliances and coalitions. Organization truly is the way to move onward, an organized, unified body can crush oppression. Great chapter, as always!

I also loved the portraits for this chapter. Sylvia's chapter was harsh, but unshakably brave. The appearancy of Huey P. Newton, recognizing queer folk as a revolutionary people, is a universal truth that Les is also making through the core of hir work, allying all of the forces that can be. Plus, Craig's portrait also left us with an amazing quote on what gender even is:

When you get right down to it, gender is performance, darling.