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

“While one part of me wishes the younger version of myself was always able to be free and living life out loud, I wouldn’t want to change anything about my past- as it is what shaped who I am today. I saw a post on Instagram with a quote that really resonates with me, especially on this day and especially in this time. “Be who you needed when you were younger.” In the wake of what today means, being able to survive and thrive as a gender non-conforming person is the physical manifestation of what the 8 year old version of myself could only dream of, and what I wish I could go back and show a younger me- that you are here and you are worthy. “ 

-Andii  

mystoryoutloud:

#MyStoryOUTLoud is a digital storytelling campaign dedicated to uplifting the narratives of LGBTQ+ youth of color across the nation by capturing OUR stories, our experiences, our truths. #MyStoryOUTLoud is a safer, liberated space for queer and trans youth of color to find the power in their own journeys and to find connection in the journeys of others like us.

We look forward to sharing our stories with the world. 

#MyStoryOUTLoud is a digital storytelling campaign dedicated to uplifting the narratives of LGBTQ+ youth of color across the nation by capturing OUR stories, our experiences, our truths. #MyStoryOUTLoud is a safer, liberated space for queer and trans youth of color to find the power in their own journeys and to find connection in the journeys of others like us.

We look forward to sharing our stories with the world.