Identity, Rape, Law, and Incarceration

Abstract

In October 2011, Ky Peterson, a Georgia-based Black transgender man, was assaulted and raped by a stranger while heading home from a nearby convenience store. During his struggle with his assailant, Ky pulled out a gun and fatally shot him in self-defence, an act for which he was accused of manslaughter and was subsequently incarcerated even though he was a victim. This chapter looks at Ky's case taking a broader perspective of the quotidian lived realities of the trans-African-American citizens. The chapter highlights why and how Black transgender victims of violence cannot rely on the police to protect them from their attackers. This discussion will consider the case from an intersectional frame of reference to study the nuances of Ky's trials and tribulations to comprehend his victimization or lack thereof.