8: It Be Your Own People

In this episode of Assigned Sex, Unarchived, Shaun moves from the murder of Islan Nettles and the “real woman” trope to Lil Duval, Boosie Badazz, Dave Chappelle, and the Black church, breaking down how toxic masculinity and bioessentialism push Black trans folks to the edge while still expecting them to ride for “the culture.” Shaun also shares a history lesson on Monica Roberts , the Houston‑born journalist and creator of TransGriot , whose reporting shifted how media covers Black trans women’s lives and deaths, and whose insistence that “Black trans women are Black women” offers a different way to imagine Black community. Follow Assigned Sex on Facebook and Instagram at @assignedsex, and subscribe to the Assigned Sex newsletter on Substack for episode updates and extended conversations.

Credits: Host : Shaun Dawson · Audio Engineer: Aaron Freeman · Producers : Shaun Dawson & Nandikayyy · Sound Design: Nandikayyy · Music: “Soul of Orleans” by John Lopke; “Street Gospel Hip Hop Piano – 75bpm – Bbmaj” by nnaudio (licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0). Sources for archival audio on Monica Roberts: – Monica Roberts “Call of Service” Lecture & “Courage to Act” Panel, PBHAserves: – “Prominent trans rights activist and journalist Monica Roberts dies at 58,” KPRC 2 Click2Houston: – “Monica Roberts accepts a Special Recognition Award at the 2016 GLAAD Media Awards,” GLAAD: – TransGriot Weekly with Monica Roberts: – “Monica Roberts HERO Testimony April 30 2014,” Houston Equal Rights Ordinance: Additional sources for archival audio: – “Diamond Stylz on Why Black Trans Rights Are Civil Rights,” The Root: - "Candace Owens Compares Being Trans to Rachel Dolezal Being Transracial," Hollywood Unlocked: - "Dave Chappelle on Transgender for 25 Minutes straight," Laugh Up Club: - "Boosie Praises Trump for Blocking Transgenders from Women's Sports: No More Juwanna Manns! (Part 25)," Djvlad: - "Lil Duval & The Breakfast Club Roast The Real Sidechicks of Charlotte," Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM: