Northland Activist Discuss Violence in the Transgender Community

Conversation focused on creating dialogue and and working to find ways to promote equity

DULUTH, Minn. – A conversation was held tonight in Duluth about violence in the transgender community.

The group Men As Peacemakers brought together a panel of local advocates to discuss the levels of domestic and sexual violence transgender people face in the Northland.

Nicole Vanderheiden, an activist with Transforming Families MN, led the discussion on Wednesday. She says those in the transgender community are victims to a high number of sexual assaults and become targets from people who are prone to perpetuate violence.

“A lot of folks see transgender folks as predators, but the fact is that trans folks are very vulnerable both economically and situationally.”

Discussion also focused on creating dialogue between trans people and the community, and working to find ways to promote equity.