There are many barriers to Trans folx receiving or even seeking the support – from finances, time, a lack of insurance or stigma and not feeling worthy of care. There is a lack of culturally competent providers that have a real connection to Trans lives. These services should support transgender folx not only during transition, but to help them transform to their most authentic, higher selves. Mental health care is vitally important to help counter the isolation and address the trauma of transphobia and violence. How important are Trans-specific mental health services and what are barriers to care? So when I speak about racism and white supremacy being the greatest challenges facing the trans community, I do so with the profound understanding that white folx can love people of color and have no real understanding of what white supremacy in all its forms is or does. With this life history, I have the unique experience living and being with white people who really do love me, and sometimes have no understanding of the impacts racism has had on my life. When I was in high school, we moved to an all-white rural community.
In my younger years, we lived in a city that had some diversity, in that people of color went to my school, attended our church and our family had relationships with people of color not only from our immediate environment but also in extended family/community relationships. Our active lives with family and friends included piano, dance, girl scouts, tending our massive gardens, as well as church activities like choir, bells and youth group. Both my parents were preachers’ kids and worked. I am a black presenting, mixed race, trans-racially adopted, gender non-conforming person, raised in a white home. White supremacy leeches into and supports transphobia, ableism, and misogyny.Ĭan you share your back-story growing up? The greatest challenges facing the Trans community-all communities really-are transphobia, racism and white supremacy and all the ways it impacts economics, education, housing, and employment. Talk about challenges facing the Trans community in Minnesota This year marks the 20 th anniversary for us being in (Loring) park. It started from discrimination against a black Trans woman not getting her stage time. One of those places is RARE Productions and one of the events we produce is the Power to the People area at Twin Cities Pride, a space and stage by and for Queer BIPOC folx. Since 1996, I have dedicated a great deal of time and energy to creating safer places for LGBTQ+, BIPOC communities. You currently serve as Director of the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition, and a mission of yours is creating SAFE SPACES for the LGBTQ+ community. She talked about the real discrimination, surveillance and violence she experienced. I remember the impact of Rivera standing on stage in 1973 and calling out the larger queer community with “Y’all better quiet down”. Johnson and Latina-American Sylvia Rivera). Remember that the Stonewall riots were led by Trans women of color. The power and visibility of the Trans (transgender) community literally fueled this whole celebration we call Pride.
Here in Minnesota about 450,000 people attend the Twin Cities Pride celebration (in its 50 th year!) There is also MN POC Pride and there are pride celebrations in Duluth, Golden Valley, Pine City, Rochester, and many more cities and towns across the state. That is power! Millions of people celebrate Pride globally. What is the legacy and impact of Pride Month for social change?
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