
Source: WENN/Avalon / WENN
On Sunday, September 8, BET aired Black Girls Rock! During the annual telecast, which was hosted by Niecy Nash, Angela Bassett, Regina King and Ciara were honored. However, Pose star Angelica Ross noticed that out of all the women honored during the show, Black trans women didn’t even get an acknowledgment. Considering that the number of Black trans women killed this year has reached 18 as of last week, and in very brutal ways, it’s certainly a major issue that she felt deserved recognition — at least in the memorial segment of the show.
“BLACK TRANS GIRLS ROCK!!!!” she wrote. “I’m willing to B.E.T. that no trans women were invited or highlighted at #BlackGirlsRock. Is it 18 now? 18 black trans women have been killed this year but NO MENTION during the segment dedicated to the lives lost???”
BLACK TRANS GIRLS ROCK!!!! I’m willing to B.E.T. that no trans women were invited or highlighted at #BlackGirlsRock. Is it 18 now? 18 black trans women have been killed this year, but NO MENTION during the segment dedicated to the lives lost??? 🗑
— Angelica Ross (@angelicaross) September 9, 2019
While it’s unclear whether or not Trans women were invited to the event, with shows like Pose, a series filled with and put together by Black trans women, getting recognition from mainstream awards shows like the Golden Globes and the Emmys, it’s interesting that big names from that show (i.e., Indya Moore), or other well-known Black trans women in general (i.e., Laverne Cox) aren’t getting much love from Black Girls Rock!
There were people who responded to Angelica’s feelings about the exclusion with a lot of negativity, but there were also a number of people who stood in support of the idea of BET’s annual event being more inclusive.
“The black women on this thread are saying some really horrific things,” said one woman. “Yall [sic] to think about how yall feel when white people say similar things about POC. Everyone should get a seat at the table and this ‘otherism’ is really sad to see in 2019.”
Angelica’s comments certainly started a conversation on Twitter. Check out what people had to say about Black trans women being left out of the conversation during Black Girls Rock by hitting the flip:
We speak on “intersectionality” and yet it isn’t honored past cisnormativity. Our sisters who walked the carpet, received awards, or performed could have also acknowledged us too. It should be common practice for black women to look around the room & identify who’s still missing.
— Ashlee Marie Preston (@AshleeMPreston) September 9, 2019
If @BET wants to prove to us that they are accepting and welcoming of ALL Black girls why weren’t the women of the biggest Black cable tv show @PoseOnFX not honored for their contribution to the representation of black trans role models on TV? We need to call out their bias.
— Lee Julius. (@deemxreckless) September 9, 2019
So, just asking, has anyone or will anyone discuss, in any capacity…Black trans girls??
#BLACKGIRLSROCK— mr. W.A.P. (@lonilights) September 9, 2019
I think I missed the first 30 or so minutes of #BlackGirlsRock…did I miss any recognition for @janetmock on her boss moves or any other Black Trans Woman for that matter?? @BET @BLACKGIRLSROCK
— I'm NOT 5'6 (@unprECEded) September 9, 2019
So ummm…were Angelica or Indya or MJ or Janet or Laverne invited to #BLACKGIRLSROCK or…?
— Numb Gifted & Black (@brownivy) September 9, 2019
Shout out to all the queer, black, and/or trans girls who rock #BLACKGIRLSROCK
— 🌈Parable of the Hoe-er⚧ (@DiamondStylz) September 9, 2019
SHOUTOUT TO THE AMAZING BLACK TRANS GIRLS KILLING THE GAME RIGHT NOW. And Rest In Peace to the black trans girls who lost their life by living it #BlackGirlsRock #BlackTransGirlsRock
— Taylor Rivera 🥶 (@TaylorRivera99) September 9, 2019
@BET WHY WERE THERE NO BLACK TRANS WOMEN ON STAGE OR SPOKEN OF DYRING BLACK GIRLS ROCK?! BLACK TRANS WOMEN ARE LITERALLY BEING KILLED BY MEN IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES. WHY IS THIS NOT A CRISIS TO YOU?!
— THE OVAHNESS 🇩🇴 (@DiovanniLaBeija) September 9, 2019
I don't think she was begging anybody for anything. She made a point to say that BET shouldn't be ignoring the contributions of Black trans girls/women in the Black Girls Rock event. Black trans girls/women are girls/women too
— Kahleah Copper fan account (@6ixdog) September 9, 2019
I love that #BLACKGIRLSROCK exists. Every day black women continue to show why they are the shit! However, we mustn’t forget black #TransWomen like @angelicaross @IndyaMoore who are breaking new grounds!
— Patrick Johnson(De Macias)🧢 (@mrharley87) September 9, 2019
Is Blackgirlsrock for all Black ppl or no? Why doesn’t BET acknowledge Black trans girls and women? They’re also Black girls and women and are part of our community.
— NakitaRakel: the rogue leader (@NakitaRakel) September 9, 2019