“At the National Portrait Gallery, we look to include portraits of people who have made a significant impact on American culture,” gallery director Kim Sajet told MSNBC. “In the aftermath of the Stonewall riots, Sylvia Rivera expanded the gay liberation movement and fought for equal rights for people who embraced different gender identities.”
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Today marks the start of Trans Awareness Week, a week when we raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people and address the issues the community faces.
Throughout the week we will highlight trans leaders and activists who make our LGBTQ community stronger. Today kicks off with the legendary and iconic actress and activist, Laverne Cox 💙💜
Laverne Cox was named to the 2015 Time’s 100 Most Influential People list. The accompanying piece was written by Jazz Jennings, the 14 year old trans advocate, author, and soon to be star of her own reality show on TLC.
“As a transgender child, I was always looking around for someone like me, because I thought I was the only one. It’s hard to feel like that. But having support from my family changed everything. They helped me love myself and embrace who I am.
Not all trans kids are so lucky. And for them, having someone as visible and strong as Laverne Cox to look up to is inspiring. She’s done so many amazing things—not just acting on Orange Is the New Black but also loving herself enough to share her story with the world. She’s a pioneer for our community.
When Laverne and I met for the first time, it was honestly so exciting. She started screaming like a little girl, because she thought of me as a celebrity! She told me to keep up the good work, and how happy she was about my success. Now I want to do the same for her. Laverne, I love you and I’m so proud of you and you’re definitely making a difference. Keep it up!”
(via TIME)
Well done, Laverne!
And to both Jazz and Laverne, thank you.
Jennifer Finney Boylan tells her story of coming out as trans to her conservative, 85-year old mother in this video for The New York Times’ series “Transgender Today”.
“I’m aware that I’ve been aided on my journey not only by the kindness of others, but by some of the societal privileges of race and class and economic status. The rate of violence and murder and unemployment for trans people, especially trans women of color, is intolerable, and it has to change.
I think it’s going to be a long road. But it is my hope, if people come forward and tell their stories, and live their lives with authenticity and dignity, that, just as my mother foretold, love will prevail.
I think of the Paul Simon song sometimes, the one that goes, ‘I believe in the future we will suffer no more. Maybe not in my lifetime, but in yours, I feel sure.’”
We couldn’t be prouder of Jazz Jennings, a 14-year-old transgender advocate who had a pretty amazing week. In addition to being a published author and nationally known activist, she’s now the face of a new Clean & Clear campaign and the star of a forthcoming reality series about her journey as a trans teen. Way to go, Jazz!
#FridayFeeling: We need fight for trans equality and justice, not just for ourselves but for future generations. Let’s make trans dreams a reality!
Check out this stunning work by Colin Laurel. Throughout the week we’ve been highlighting works by trans and gender non-conforming artists through Forward Together, an organization focused on bridging communities and changing policy. #TransWeek
Happy #LGBTQhistory Month! What #LGBTQ historical icons are left out of the curriculum?
I’ve been dressing in an androgynous casual way for about two years now. I’ve come to terms with my gender identity and sexuality, but I still haven’t fully come out as transgender. Prom is coming up. I’m not going to wear a dress. People laugh at the idea of me in a dress regardless of whether or not they know I am transgender. I’ve been dating a girl who wants to go to prom and I want to go with her, but I’m not going in a dress. However, I don’t own a suit that fits me because I’m 5'3" and weigh 95 pounds. I refuse to go back to cheap men’s clothing that doesn’t fit me, but anything that would fit me would be too expensive for me to buy on my own and I couldn’t ask my mom for money. I approached my school activities director with my dilemma and he said, ‘don’t worry you’re going to prom and I’m going to find you a suit.’
Harper, a student from Chicago, IL, who wrote a piece for The New York Times’ series, Transgender Today. Harper’s school and supportive teachers are making a huge difference in allowing Harper to attend prom in a suit, as himself. Prom is for everyone.
In The New York Times’ collection of personal narratives “Transgender Today”, GLSEN friend Andy Marra was joined by her fiancé Drew to discuss their mutual love and respect, as opposed to previous experiences Andy had.
She found that many men were ashamed to be in a relationship with an transgender woman.
“Being with Drew has reaffirmed what I should expect from a guy. I deserve to be treated with respect. Honesty should be the baseline to any relationship. And I should never have to be silent or hide who I am.
As Drew likes to say, ‘You’re the one thing that gives my life all of its color.’ Here’s hoping more men finally recognize the beauty and worth of the transgender women in their lives.”
(h/t to The New York Times)
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