Trans woman facing charges for self-defense

forwarded from our comrades at rha

Kailah Hayes, a client of Sylvia’s Place, was arrested yesterday by officers from the 77th precinct and charged with assault for defending herself against a trans-phobic attack. She is being held pending arraignment in Brooklyn, under the name Anthony Hayes. Yesterday, two of Kailah’s roommates, both trans women, were returning home when they passed an adult woman, a boy, and a group of little girls. The boy began yelling “that’s a man, that’s a man” at them. One of the trans women asked the adult to tell the boy to stop, and they continued home. Shortly after, the same group came up to them in front of the building, and the boy again started yelling “that’s a man” and then went across the street and began pointing them out to a couple of adult women in the van, who were staring and laughing at the trans women. They went to talk to the adults, who responded beliigerently, and a scuffle broke out, during which the boy’s glasses got broken. Later, the girls were back in their apartment when someone came banging at the door. When Kailah answered, a man punched her in the face. A fight ensued, which involved all three trans women vs. multiple adults. Both sides called the police, who arrested Kailah, even though the man threw the first punch in her own apartment, because they claimed that he had a cut, and, even though he had been trying to bite the other trans women, they didn’t have a visible bite mark. Kailah is currently facing assault charges. Please call the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and tell them: Trans people must be safe from being attacked in their own homes and neighborhoods - drop the charges against Anthony/Kailah Hayes. Kate Barnhart Director MCCNY/Homeless Youth Services 446 W 36th St NYC NY 10018