PRIDE

Why Celebrate Pride?
Today I am proud to be a transgender woman. Every June I celebrate pride in my community and myself. June is extra special because my hormone birthday is June 23rd. I feel more at home with my body than ever. My body has supported me and been able to do so much for me; now I finally recognize the person I see in the mirror. And for the time being, I still have affordable access to the medical care I need on a monthly basis. There's so much to be thankful for! Trans issues are more visible than ever. News outlets and companies are recognizing us. There are many trans people in the limelight spreading positive information about our community. I even can watch characters like me on T.V. shows like Orange Is The New Black, Transparent, Star, I Am Jazz., Sense8, Pose, Veneno, The OA, The Fosters, American Horror Story, and more.

How Did Pride begin?
Even with all of this being said, there is still much work to be done before trans people are treated fairly. Our identities are still being questioned, our rights are being restricted, and our lives are being taken. Last year was the deadliest year on record for the trans community--especially trans women of color. This reminds me that the first pride march was a protest for our rights. Pride has become somewhat of a large party, which can be a good thing. With all that we face, it's necessary to take time for ourselves and focus on better things. But I remind myself of our history and why we’re able to celebrate pride at all. I also remind myself many of us are still fighting for our lives.

After the Stonewall Riot, Marsha P. Johnson said:
"Now they got two little nice statues in Chariot Park to remember the gay movement. How many people have died for these two little statues to be put in the park for them to recognize gay people? How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race? I mean how many years does it take people to see that? We're all in this rat race together!"

It’s been too many lives. It’s been too long. I hear Miss Johnson’s call. This website and most of the work I do on social media is my response to her. Let's all celebrate who we are because who we are is beyond revolutionary or edgy or trendy. We are real. We've been here forever and we're not going anywhere. Let’s stand together, speak out, and fight for our rights.