I remember growing up in North Philly….

Raised within the convictions of a pentecostal family that really made me struggle with myself and my identity.

Subconsciously I knew that I wasn’t what my family had expected me to be.

At a very young age I learned to silently whisper my fears and abominations into the ear of my families “Lord and Savior.”

Maybe I should have prayed a little louder, drowned my demons a little longer, lay rice at my feet and bury my knees in it a little harder.”

- Corem

read more here.

Black Trans women paved and marked their way through the streets we walk today…

“So how can the world show up? Simple. SHOW UP! Show up in solidarity. Show up in movement. Show up in spaces. Show up when these women need a shoulder to cry on and while at the same time…start creating safe spaces for black trans woman. One that gives them the right to express themselves and talk freely with their sisters and other members of the community. Creating movement in those spaces that will push the boundaries, like Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera when they co-founded S.T.A.R. Further, stand up and support the movement. Stand up alongside those marginalized Black Trans Women. When we all show up and support with our bodies, our time and our resources, we are creating a future for black trans woman to succeed and accomplish greatness. A world where Andrea Jenkins can become the first openly transgender black woman elected to public office in the United States, but we know she will not be the last. Like Andrea Jenkins said, “ Transgender people have been here forever, and black transgender people have been here forever…” Black trans women’s greatness and brilliancy will continue to walk down the runway with originality, aesthetics, movements, justice, and love.”

-Jorian

It Takes More Than a Day to Acknowledge Black Trans Voices

“Some ask me if it’s harder being Black or Trans, but why what people don’t realize my experience doesn’t have an “or” it has an “and”. Entering black spaces with my Black and Brown rainbow sticker on my laptop, one begins to question my masculinity and blackness and enter white LGBTQ spaces my Black lives matter stick on my laptop, one begins to assume I’m the “angry Black man.” Simply put, being Black and Trans is living a life of your identity constantly being questioned by the communities you belong to.”

-Aidan