InTRANSitive, a transgender advocacy group in Arkansas, has been the target of repeated acts of vandalism at their community center in Little Rock. The center, which opened in December 2021, has been targeted at least five times in the past year, with the most recent incident involving the removal of pipes from the building. Rumba Yambú, the founder and executive director of InTRANSitive, stated that the group has spent thousands of dollars on repairs and security measures due to the vandalism. The FBI has reached out to Yambú regarding the incident, but the group has not reported it to local police due to concerns about harassment from law enforcement.
Yambú expressed concerns about the police harassment that they and the group members have experienced. They mentioned that officers from the Little Rock Police Department have patrolled in front of the center, asking about the number of children inside, a question that echoes anti-trans sentiments from conservative advocates. The group has not reported the vandalism incidents to the police due to these concerns. Mark Edwards, a spokesperson for the police department, stated that there have been only three incident reports from the center’s address, and the police have not had significant interactions with InTRANSitive during their time at the location.
The vandalism at InTRANSitive’s community center has occurred amidst a wave of anti-trans legislation in Arkansas and other states. In 2021, Arkansas passed a ban on transition-related care for minors, which was later deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge. The state also passed a law barring transgender students from participating in school sports teams that align with their gender identities. Yambú believes that the targeting of the center is connected to the increased visibility of their work and the push for anti-trans legislation by legislators in the state. Despite the challenges posed by the vandalism, the group continues to provide essential services to the community, including free food, HIV testing, and assistance with immigration processes.
In response to the recent vandalism, InTRANSitive is fundraising for improved security measures, such as better lighting outside the building and upgraded security cameras. Yambú acknowledged that despite these efforts, they anticipate that the vandalism will continue as the group’s visibility grows. Yambú emphasized the importance of the group’s work and the impact that the vandalism has on their ability to serve the community. They highlighted the need for support from allies and the broader community to ensure the safety and sustainability of the group’s operations.
