Trans prison rape highlighted in LA, San Francisco billboards

Two frustrated women’s advocacy groups have launched a billboard truck campaign across California, demanding attention to concerning rise in trans prisoners raping women.

The campaign, organized by Women Are Real and WomaniiWoman, is demanding scrutiny of male inmates housed in women’s prisons under Senate Bill 132 – and drawing attention to the upcoming rape trial of trans prisoner Tremaine Carroll.

Carroll was in the women’s prison because of SB 132, passed in 2021. Formally known as the Transgender Respect, Agency and Dignity Act, it allows inmates to be housed based solely on their stated gender identity.

Carroll, 52, has been charged with raping three woman while imprisoned in the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla. Prosecutors say one female cellmate became pregnant.

The women’s groups are using mobile billboards emblazoned with stark warnings including “Women in CA Prisons Raped by Male Inmates,” “Incarcerated Women Matter,” and “SB 132: State-Sanctioned Rape – Media Silent.”

Organizers say the blunt messaging is designed to confront what they describe as a dangerous lack of accountability — and any sustained media attention –— surrounding California’s controversial prison housing law.

The trucks are sweeping past some of the state’s most recognizable landmarks and media hubs.

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In San Francisco, the route includes the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, the San Francisco Chronicle newsroom, KRON4, ABC7, and KQED.

In Los Angeles, the truck is circling the Los Angeles Times building, City Hall, Union Station, Dodger Stadium, Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena), and Men’s Central Jail.

In Sacramento, the campaign has targeted the State Capitol and the county jail.

A second truck is scheduled to travel Friday to Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla — where Carroll was previously housed.

“This campaign is about visibility and accountability,” organizers said. 

“Women in prison are among the most vulnerable people in the state, and their safety has been treated as collateral damage. 

”We are demanding that the public, policymakers, and the media pay attention.”

Meanwhile, a Madera County judge has ruled Tremaine Carroll must be referred to using she/her pronouns because Carroll identifies as a woman.

Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno has slammed the decision, saying Moreno is abusing California’s prison housing law and said the pronoun ruling risks confusing jurors and complicating the prosecution. 

“This is a particular issue in this case because it’s confusing to the jury. In California, rape is a crime that has to be accomplished by a man,” Moreno told ABC7.

“There’s no psychological evaluation required. This person does not need to be on cross-gender hormones. They don’t need to be signed up for transgender surgery. They don’t need a psychological evaluation regarding gender confusion. The mere statement is enough.” 

Supervising Deputy District Attorney Eric Dutemple said the ruling is also deeply unfair to the alleged victims.

“It’s just absolutely insane that a victim would have to get on the stand and police their pronoun usage when trying to recite one of the scariest times of their lives,” Dutemple said.