In the name of activism, Eli Mender wrote letters to prisoners.
Friday was the first annual Trans Prisoner Day of Action — a national event that promotes solidarity with transgender prisoners.
Mender, a 24-year-old UF sociology graduate student, attended an event at the Civic Media Center to show support.
“I thought this could add towards my trans activism,” he said.
Letter writing started at 6 p.m., followed by a charitable dance party four hours later. Money earned from the event went toward organizations such as Gainesville Books for Prisoners, CMC volunteer Kayla Coleman said.
Panagioti Tsolkas said he helped organize the event because transgender prisoners are sometimes placed with people who identify as a different gender. Tsolkas said he served a couple weeks in jail after protesting Florida Power and Light.
“Prisons are these weird kind of no-man land…because prisoners tend to be dismissed or ignored,” he said.
Iso Jones, a 22-year-old UF zoology freshman, wrote to an Ohio prisoner. For three years, arthritis and fibromyalgia prevented Jones from walking, and Jones said they feel a connection to prisoners after experiencing isolation.
“I wish there was more I could do, but letting them know someone out there cares validates the cause,” Jones said.
Iso Jones, left, a 22-year-old UF zoology freshman, and Emily Sparr, a 32-year-old software developer liaison and Gainesville resident, participate in Trans Prisoner Day of Action at the Civic Media Center on Friday. Jones wrote a letter to a transwoman prisoner in Ohio offering someone to talk to.
