Transgender Woman in Baltimore Forced into Male Cell

The woman was arrested during the riots in Baltimore.

It’s a one step forward and two steps backward for the transgender community this week. After the 20/20 interview with Bruce Jenner received high ratings and positive support, many thought that it meant good things for the community. However, that isn’t the truth for those who aren’t wealthy and privileged. Bruce Jenner rightly pointed out during his interview that African American transgender women need to be protected more. What happened in Baltimore today definitely proves it.

One can assume that the Baltimore Police Department is trying its best not to ruffle any feathers as it tries to stop the riots that have destroyed the city in the last few days. However, the department made a critical error in handling a transgender woman, which could ignite another riot. According to Mashable, the woman is in a male holding cell and is being forced to wear a revealing thermal top instead of the female garb.

The protester, who is 30, has identified as a female since she was 14 years old. Her lawyer, Astrid Munn, is speaking out for her now that she is behind bars. When she was booked, she was taken to jail and put in a female holding cell, but when she was moved, she immediately was switched to the male side. Her lawyer says that her client is forced to wear a thin thermal shirt that reveals the outline of her breasts and nipples. Her lawyer is afraid she will be a target of the men in jail.

“In every respect, she’s a woman,” Munn said. “She stood in stark contrast to the [men] in the jail.” She is currently in the jail and is being bullied heavily by both the male inmates and the officers working there. No one seems to be worried about her safety.

The woman’s bail, which was originally set at $75,000, was later pushed up to $100,000. This is a high amount for someone charged with fourth-degree burglary, which is a misdemeanor. According to Mashable, she earns about $300 a week in a salon and is also on public assistance. While it is unclear why she was arrested, Munn says that it is because she was recording on her cell phone when they came in to do the curfew sweeps. Maryland law states that detainees must have a trial within 24 hours of their arrest, but so far nothing has been done.