Celebrating Pride and Uplifting Trans Voices
Image courtesy Transgender Law Center
With Juneteenth and Pride, June is marked by celebrations of liberation and joy for Black and queer communities in this country. We thank the Black queer leaders like Stormé DeLaverie and Marsha P. Johnson, who took leading roles in the Stonewall Riots to fight for our rights.
Trans-led organizing initiated the modern-day LGBTQ movement when Black trans women and people of color fought back against police brutality. It is imperative that we center their organizing, voices, and leadership. We are committed to uplifting their work and shifting the narrative about Black trans communities toward joy and resilience and away from violence and despair.
Below we highlight a few of our trans-led grantee partners that are doing critical work throughout the country by providing resources and shifting the narrative around Black trans lives.
The Knights and Orchids Society is building the power of TLGB+ Black people across the South by providing a spectrum of health and wellness services, including reproductive and Trans Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) care.
Transgender Law Center (TLC) is the largest national trans-led organization that is changing law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Most recently, they are helping lead a lawsuit against Texas for the legislature’s vote to ban healthcare for trans youth.
Brown Boi Project is a community of masculine of center womyn, men, two-spirit people, trans people, and their allies committed to changing the way that communities of color talk about gender. Brown Boi Project leads a financial wellness program for queer and trans people of color and also hosts a leadership retreat for trans and nonbinary community builders, organizers, artists, and advocates engaging with masculinity.
Lavender Phoenix is building alternatives—real solutions—that center their communities, build self-determination, and promote healing and restoration for the land and the people. All of their programs are led by QTAPI members who are directly impacted by the issues they address.
The Mahogany Project is reducing social isolation, stigma, and acts of injustice in TQLGB+ Communities of Color through advocacy, education around resources, and social and educational activities. In Texas, they support Black trans youth in response to anti-trans legislation in Texas.
This month and every month, we continue their fight for Black trans and queer liberation and fund movement organizers who are paving the way.
The philanthropic community must deepen their investment in Black queer and trans-led organizations if we want us all to thrive. Join us!