Watercolor illustration of a young Black trans man in a white t-shirt, with short hair and an earring, looking out at the viewer. Text says: "Ky Peterson, a young Black trans man in rural Georgia, was arrested for defending himself during a transphobic sexual assault. After a year in jail with no legal support or trial, he was forced to take a plea deal. Ky was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Free Ky."
This image was created in 2016 in collaboration with Ky Peterson and Pinky Shear. It has been used by people across the US to organize, educate, and fundraise for Ky’s homecoming, and to support freedom for all incarcerated survivors.
In 2011, Ky was forced to defend himself against a transphobic sexual assault. Despite the fact that Georgia has a “Stand Your Ground” law, and that his rape kit tested positive, Ky was criminalized for being Black and trans. Instead of receiving care, he was arrested and held in jail for a year with no legal support or a trial. Finally Ky was pressured into taking a plea deal and spent nine years in prison.
In 2020 Ky was finally released. He continues to fight for trans liberation while supporting his family. Please join me in supporting Ky Peterson, who has given so much to our movements: Paypal | Venmo: Kenyota-Petersom | Cash App: $KenyotaPeterson97
The primary owners of this art are Ky himself and the grassroots campaign for his freedom.