Vita Ayala

Afro-Puerto Rican Comics and Prose Fiction Writer

@definitelyvita

Alejandra Caraballo

Latina Civil Rights Attorney and Clinical Instructor

@esqueer 

Laith Ashley

Model, Actor, Activist, and Entertainer

@laith_ashley

Jennicet Gutierrez

Co-Executive Director and Founding Member of La Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement

@jennicetguti

Zander Keig

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Educator, and Coast Guard Veteran

Website: www.zanderkeig.net

Indya Moore

Model and Actor, known for the FX television series Pose

@indyamoore 

Bamby Salcedo

Mexican-American Activist and Founder of TransLatin@ Coalition

@labamby

Marquise Vilson Balenciaga

Artist, Activist, and Veteran: Red Wright in the Amazon Prime Series A League of Their Own

@marquisevilson 

More Latinx/Latine Resources

• In the Shadow of the Health-Care City: Historicizing Trans Latinx Immigrant Experiences during the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Trans-Affirming Guide to Latinx Heritage Month (2021)
• TransLash Podcast: Latinx Heritage Month (2021)

The post Discover Eight Inspiring Trans and GNC Figures this Latinx Heritage Month appeared first on TransLash Media.

West Hollywood has long been home to many LGBTQ folks in the Los Angeles area, with more than 40 percent of residents identifying as such. It’s only fitting that each year the city has hosted its own Pride Month festivities, and the latest one was its most epic so far! Thousands of folks poured into West Hollywood for WeHo Pride 2024 to enjoy the street fair, concerts, and more. 

The weekend, which spanned from May 31 to June 2, was full of social events, pride parties, and a mega three-day musical festival headlined by none other than Ke$ha, Janelle Monáe, and Kylie Minogue. To capture all the fun, TransLash Media sent actress, activist, producer, and motivational speaker Blossom C. Brown to document all the celebratory love and glamor. Here’s everything that went down at WeHo Pride.

Watch our recap video and read more below!

Day 1 of WeHo Pride: Friday, May 31

WeHo Pride kicked off on Friday night with a free concert in West Hollywood Park. Ke$ha performed as the headliner, while audiences got to enjoy performances from Adam Lambert, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Monét X Change, Laganja Estranja & Morphine Love Dion, Niña Dioz, Jessica Betts, Owenn, and Venessa Michaels, according to CBS News. 

The concert also marked Ke$ha’s first show since she became a “free woman,” as Rolling Stone reports, after settling her decade-long lawsuit with Dr. Luke last summer.

Day 2 of WeHo Pride: Saturday, June 1

For those who prefer a more low-key Pride Month activity, there was the WeHo Pride Street Fair on Saturday afternoon. The eight hour family-friendly fair, stretched along Santa Monica Boulevard, featured a handful of community group booths, vendors, exhibitors, and even some performances by Bonnie McKee, Rêve, The Aces, and more.

After that, the Women’s Freedom Festival took place, which was presented by the historically lesbian non-profit, L-Project Los Angeles. The festival, which was in its third year according to CBS News, featured emerging LGBTQ and BIPOC women, non-binary musicians, comedians, poets, and activists.

Jackie Steele hosted the Women’s Freedom Festival, which featured plenty of performances throughout from KingQueen, MariahCounts, Medusa, Theia, Gattison, Cheri Moon, Shiah Luna, Nekeith, DJ SterlingVictorian, DJ Boom Boom, Suri Chan, and Jen Cheng.

Why We Need Queer Women Representation

Being able to attend the Women’s Freedom Festival on Saturday was a key highlight of the weekend for Blossom. “The representation of queer women in West Hollywood is so crucial and important. We have to amplify these types of voices, as they usually go unheard and unseen,” Brown said.

She added how exciting it was to see one of her friends get up on stage and speak her truth. “We must protect Native women. We must protect Black women at all costs. We must amplify all voices that are important in the movement,” Brown’s friend told the crowd.

WeHo Pride’s Dyke March

Later on Saturday afternoon, WeHo Pride’s Dyke March took place. The motorcycle-led march began with a biker gang — because how else could it start? —  followed by a performance by non-binary alt-pop/hip-hop producer and singer Medusa. The rally trailed down Santa Monica Boulevard and included even more live performances from Gattison, Theia and the KingQueen Band, as well as poetry by Yazmin Monet Watkins, Suri Chan and West Hollywood’s Poet Laurette, Jen Cheng.

For those who love to dance, there was also the Queerchata Pride Social on Saturday afternoon. The event included instructors guiding attendees through a lively Bachata class, a style of dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. After learning a few basic moves in the beginner class, attendees got to enjoy some Bachata and Salsa dancing with fellow queers in the Los Angeles sunshine.

Then the real party kicked off: the second night of the OUTLOUD musical festival included a concert with performances by Yaeji, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Noah Cyrus, Keke Palmer, Pegasus and Jack Faulkner, Channel Tres, Doechii, and, of course, headliner and former TransLash Podcast guest Janelle Monáe. What’s a pride party without Monáe anyway?

Blossom’s WeHo Pride Highlight

Brown didn’t just get to experience this mega concert live in person — she got to bask in all the joyful celebrations from backstage! One of her top five highlights from the weekend was being backstage at Saturday night’s OUTLOUD music festival. “The vibe backstage was so chill, so dope. I saw celebrities like Doechii, Queen Latifah, Gabrielle Union,” Blossom recounted. “I got to witness the moment that Gabrielle Union and Queen Latifah surprised Doechii after her performance. It was such a beautiful, healing moment. I was so inspired,” she added.

Brown’s other top moment from WeHo Pride 2024? Meeting the Queen herself. “She was so kind, so humble, so sweet,” Brown said of Queen Latifah, whom she met backstage. “It’s wonderful to meet A-list celebrities who are down to earth, who are kind. It’s so great to be in that space in WeHo Pride and meeting someone as legendary as Queen Latifah.”

Day 3 of WeHo Pride: Sunday

And finally — the parade! What’s Pride with a Pride Parade, after all? On Sunday afternoon, tens of thousands of people gathered along Santa Monica Boulevard to watch festive floats, colorful marching groups, plenty of dancers, and rainbows and glitter galore, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Celebrating Pride With the Queen Mother

Brown didn’t experience the WeHo Pride Parade from the sidelines, though — she got to be in it. She rode along Santa Monica Boulevard on a float with the organization the Imperial Court of Los Angeles, alongside the Queen Mother of Southern California herself, Mother Karina Samala.

An active member in the LGBTQ+ community for over twenty-five years, Samala is a Filipina trans woman, President of the Board of Directors for the Imperial Court, and current chair of the Los Angeles Transgender Advisory Board.

Additionally, Blossom expressed gratitude for being able to enjoy the parade festivities with some Pride first-timers. She celebrated with a group of Russian and Ukrainian LGBTQ folks who were able to be their fullest selves and attend a Pride event for the very first time.

A Kylie Minogue Finale

The vibrant and joyful Pride weekend came to a bitterweet close on Sunday evening (who wants Pride to ever end?) during the final leg of the OUTLOUD musical festival. Attendees got to dance to music by Ashnikko, Big Freedia, Vincint, a DJ set by Trixie Mattel, and more.

Then the big event everyone had been waiting for finally arrived — a big, queer Kylie Minogue concert. Is there any better way to close out Pride than Padam-ing with a massive dancing crowd? 

The Australian queen of pop performed a handful of her most beloved songs, according to Variety, from “Come Into My World” to “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” to “Love At First Sight,” and of course “Padam Padam.” She even brought Orville Peck on stage to debut a brand new single called “Midnight Ride,” produced by Diplo, who also joined the duo on stage for a fringe-filled performance.

It was a rainbow-infused weekend full of queer love, trans joy, music, dancing, and celebration. 

This isn’t the end of TransLash’s WeHo Pride 2024 coverage! Stay tuned for more exclusive Pride Month photos and videos from Blossom Brown on our socials, including on-the-street interviews from the WeHo Pride weekend with a variety of amazing, inspirational trans and queer folks throughout the Los Angeles area.

Did you find this resource helpful? Consider supporting TransLash today with a tax-deductible donation. Did we miss anything? Let us know!

The post Janelle Monáe, Kylie Minogue, and more: WeHo Pride 2024 appeared first on TransLash Media.

Growing Up Black, Trans, And Southern

I was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1951 to poor, uneducated, black parents from the South.

They were well meaning, extremely religious folks; hard working and responsible. Unfortunately, they hadn’t a clue when it came to raising a child like me.

And despite the fact that I clearly did not fit into the mold they created for me, all my self-expressions and pleadings were ignored. So as a small child, a transsexual girl, I learned to hide myself as much as possible.

That only had limited success. I think it was the fact that my parents failed to see me, which caused me to grow up feeling alien to my surroundings and birthed my desire to seek a home outside the US. 

I tried when I was about 19 to publicly express my truth and I did so for a couple of years, but I had no guidance, no role model, and no information to help me find my way. Consequently, the social pressure forced me to retreat back into myself even deeper, and the budding woman was forgotten as if buried alive.

In a few years, I was married, and the parent of four children. So, I raised them, and lived that life for thirty-one years. Eventually my wife died, and I found myself free to explore my subconscious and unearth the real me after several years. I managed this with the help of several therapists and an awful lot of soul searching.

Transitioning: The Beginning

I’ve now been on this journey of true self discovery for more than a dozen years, and in the process, I transitioned to my true self. I changed my gender presentation to female, which was a lot of work. I legally changed my name and gender marker, which was much easier than my presentation. I also medically transitioned with HRT and had an orchiectomy. I would have had complete bottom surgery, but I couldn’t find the means to pay for it.

At this stage of my life though, I feel I’ve accomplished a lot, and I’m satisfied with what I’ve done.

With all of that however, I was still not satisfied with my life — because I was living in the US and wanted very much to be somewhere else — a place that wasn’t tied to memories of me being spit on by white kids, because I was Black. I wanted to be someplace different that was not in my mind associated with white cops pointing their guns at me, because I was Black. I wanted to be somewhere that didn’t remind me of all the times I had been bullied, ridiculed, harassed, called a sissy or faggot, because the people around me didn’t understand that I was a transgender female. And I wanted to be somewhere that I wasn’t afraid that I was going to always be misgendered.

That was all from the emotional side of things; from the practical, I needed a place where I could get the proper healthcare, and it had to be affordable. And for my personal aesthetics, I wanted a certain climate, landscape, and beautiful architecture.

I know that seems like a lot, but a person is multi-faceted, and anyone who truly knows me will say that I’m very complicated.

I had gotten a passport in 2010, but that was before I had changed most everything — so I had to update it with all the new and correct information. I had the necessary supporting legal documents, still I was nervous going to the post office to request a new passport, because I was afraid of how I would be received. To my surprise, the gentleman who handled my application was very professional and nonchalantly went through everything with me, took all my papers and my payment, and informed me as to when I could expect my new passport. And I think with a little bit of a flirt, he told me to take care.

Back To The South

I moved from Chicago to New Orleans in 2015, and in some ways it had been a good move. But it turned out to be more expensive than my meager social security income could comfortably handle. I also encountered more transphobia than I had expected, so I knew I had to continue my search for a home. 

A Moment In Canada

With my newly acquired passport, I left for Montreal in 2018. I had read that Quebec was good for transgender people, and I had been in contact with one who was also a refugee from Northern Africa. She had made a home for herself in Montreal, and was going to help me relocate. I flew into Montreal in October 2018, and found the city and it’s people to be very pleasant and welcoming.

All things considered, I loved the place but couldn’t see myself living there, due to the frigid, snowy weather, and the fact that my income did not meet their requirements for a retirement visa. So after two months, filled with disappointment, I returned to the states. I was angry and frustrated that my plans for Montreal hadn’t worked out, especially because I had received such respect from the nurse at the hospital emergency rooms, the one time I went. I had a toothache, and no insurance, so I went to the hospital. During the intake process the nurse asked me if I was taking any medication, and if so what kind. I told her about my estrogen, and she politely asked me if it was for menopause, and I chuckled and said, no, I’m transsexual, and she carried on without hesitation — as if it was the most common thing in the world.

In my mind, that was exactly how she should have responded: with complete nonchalance, and why I wished I could have remained in Montreal in spite of the terrible weather. But this taste of respect and dignity from someone who wasn’t an American made me realize that I was on the right track, and that I couldn’t let this setback deter me. I decided to look elsewhere.

European Dreams Deferred

By 2020, I was all set to go to Lisbon, Portugal; I thought it would be a good place to start a year long trek around Southern Europe, but then I got sick and couldn’t travel. Later that same year I tried again, but this time the pandemic got in the way and I was once again grounded. I was feeling angry and desperate, and I had lost a lot of money. I was beginning to despair that I was stuck and would never be able to fulfill my dream.

I had left New Orleans and visited my daughter in Southern California for about a week, then gone to stay with a new friend in Texas for a while. I hadn’t given up on my passion, so I kept thinking and searching: where I could go as — a transgender woman of color with a small income — and still feel safe, comfortable, and cared for?

Welcome To Puerto Vallarta

I had given Mexico a casual look before, but because of that, I knew very little about the country. I realized that Europe was — for the foreseeable future — out of reach, so I had to come up with something less grand and closer to home. Maybe Mexico might be the answer. When I renewed my research, I came across a city called Puerto Vallarta. I had never heard of this place, but I saw that it was on the pacific coast and had beautiful beaches, mountains and forests, warm weather all year, very affordable prices, and was regarded as LGBTQIA+ friendly. I began looking even more closely at this city and watching YouTube videos about it, and I was beginning to fall in love with it, because it was so picturesque. I loved the way the city seemed to rise from the ocean up the mountainsides, which gradually were overcome by lush green forests and jungles. And the city itself was this white stucco red clay tiled jumble of low lying buildings and cobblestone streets — not everywhere, but in most areas, so that you could easily be carried away with this feeling of old world charm and romance.

I decided I had to go and see this place for myself, and to make things even better, it had its own airport. I did have to change planes in Mexico City, but the flight from there was only an hour and a half. In September of 2020, I said goodbye to the US and have not looked back.

At Home In Mexico

I’ve been in Puerto Vallarta for a little more than a year, and have been very happy. I’m an introvert, which doesn’t mean that I’m shy, but rather that I prefer my own company for the most part, so I don’t socialize — but I can talk to most anyone if they speak enough English. I’m learning Spanish and it’s painfully slow, but I’m making progress.

I’m sure most people who haven’t spent any real time in Mexico probably think that because of its proximity to the US that it is probably very similar, but nothing could be further from the truth, especially for a Black transgender woman. I must point out here that I’ve been told that I “pass” very well, so that of course helps, but even with that I’ve been read as transgender some times and that doesn’t bother me, but what does is being misgendered by an unapologetic asshole. That has only happened one time (I’m knocking on wood as I type this), since I’ve been in Mexico, and I have to tell you that helps make for a much more peaceful stress free life.

I’m not going to say that most Mexicans don’t know I’m transgender, but what I can say is that Mexicans seem to be more respectful of other people and they mind their own business. This even applies to the police, who are everywhere in this town. You see them, and as an expat at first, you are a bit unnerved by their presence, because they carry these large assault type rifles and ride on military style vehicles — but they don’t bother you at all! It’s as if they see you, but don’t see you. This is so refreshing and reassuring as a Black person.

I may not socialize, but I don’t stay in the house all the time either. One of my favorite activities is walking, and I’ve spent many hours doing that here. I walk for exercise, to be outdoors, to get familiar with my surroundings, and to take in the beauty of the landscape. I go to all the different markets and shops I want, and since this is a beach community, I go to the beach when I feel like it.

Something else that makes being transsexual in Mexico easier than in the states, is that if you’re on hormones, you don’t need a prescription to get them. All you have to do is go to the pharmacy and ask, and they sell them right over the counter. I’ve found the people to be very helpful, just because they want to help without being asked. I have not faced any barriers when apartment hunting — except my own income, of course.

So, from my experience, I feel I can safely say Puerto Vallarta is a good place to be transgender. One other thing, I haven’t dated yet — but not because I haven’t had the opportunity, but rather because I haven’t wanted to. I’ll say this: men are the same here as they are everywhere, so I think you know what I mean.

Travel Tips

Learn Spanish before coming to Mexico. You can get by in the more touristy areas with little or no Spanish, because most people will speak some English, but if you want to stay, you will do them and yourself a favor by learning the language. It is not just helpful, but respectful on your part, and they will appreciate it. I stumble through with my little Spanish and I also use google translate which helps a lot, so have that on your phone if you don’t speak the language and it will definitely come in handy.

And I would tell anyone who is trans and planning to travel by air, if you haven’t already done so, please make sure your identification matches your gender presentation; that will save you a lot of embarrassment, hassle, and inconvenience. With all the hassle of flying as it is, you don’t want to make the process more stressful if you can avoid it.

Another thing to consider is changing money. Don’t bother with getting pesos in the states, as ATMs are plentiful in Puerto Vallarta — but to avoid paying more than you need to in transaction fees and the other fees, I would suggest getting enough cash to cover a week of expenses. If you’re going to be here for that long or longer, keep in mind many places only take cash. I found my first apartment on Airbnb which is a pretty good starting place, because they list both short and long term rentals and they always come fully furnished. Also Facebook marketplace can be a good place to search for rentals. For me, I never stayed in the mainly tourist focused areas, because I wanted to keep my costs down, and I wanted to start to get the feel of being in another country as quickly as possible.

Mexico is a fairly easy place to begin an international journey as a trans person, but think about this, it’s also fairly conservative — so you might want to think about how you dress if you’re concerned with standing out. Also as a Black person, technically brown, that helps me to blend in more with the locals, especially when I wear a black long hair wig. If you’re white on the other hand, you’re going to tend to stick out more like a sore thumb; but don’t feel bad, because my height makes me stick out too. Sometimes I feel like a giant here.

There are a number of gay establishments in the Romantic Zone, if you go for that sort of thing, but I would suggest if you’re going to drink make sure you get an Uber home and not walk; tourists have been known to get mugged walking home late at night, and being trans and drunk might put a target on your back.

Since the pandemic is still a threat, mask-wearing indoors is still required, but not outside. And hand sanitizer is available at the door of most businesses. Some still check your temperature. 

If you don’t know this, you can’t drink the tap water. Buy bottled water to drink and cook. You can bathe and wash with tap water, but you shouldn’t brush your teeth with it either, or get it in your nose. Also, from what I’ve been told, you don’t have to worry about the water served at restaurants, as it comes from bottles as well.

When you rent an apartment, it will have a contraption to put these big 20 liter bottles that you can buy. If your stay is short term, your host or landlord will undoubtedly be furnishing you with drinking water, but check to be sure. If you do your own cooking, always thoroughly wash the fruit and vegetables.

In all my time here in Mexico I have not once felt unsafe walking the streets, and I’m always alone, but I don’t go out at night not out of fear, but rather because I’m not a night-time person.

I’ve truly enjoyed my time in Mexico. Another thing that’s great about this country is that it has a very generous tourist visa policy. You, as a US citizen with a valid passport, are given 180 days on arrival — and you can renew that almost indefinitely simply by leaving the country for a short time and then returning. I’ve done it twice already, but the bad thing for me is that I don’t earn enough to qualify for a temporary residency visa. The amount is at least $1500 USD a month, so I’m going to be leaving Mexico at some point to continue my search for a home, but that’s okay. I’ve made peace with this type of thing and I have a pretty good handle on how to deal with it.

Transitioning After 40

Oh my goodness, what can I say? Personally, if things had been ideal, I would have transitioned at a much younger age, because it would have been much less complicated.

But there are some advantages in doing it later in life, because you will know yourself so much better. Also, you may have some type of financial safety net to rely on and the ability to pay for any surgeries you feel you need.

Transitioning after forty likely means that you will have been socialized one way, and that will undoubtedly be in conflict with your stepping fully into your new life. So there will be a lot to unlearn and then learn in a new way, and this will take time and patience. You will have to give yourself this time, and give yourself the love you need to get through this.

There may not be anyone you can turn to for support, and I would suggest finding a good therapist to help you. Also, there are a lot of online groups that may be able to lend a hand. Reach out to the ones that are a good fit.

Know what your transition means to you, it’s different for everyone. Do as much or as little as you need to do, and keep in mind that transgender is an umbrella term and it might not fit you. It doesn’t really fit me, because it is an umbrella term, and that’s why I refine it by using the term transsexual.

I’m sure you’re already aware of this, as it’s widely talked about, but if you have children, there is no guarantee that they will accept the new you with open arms. Be prepared for that, and the possibility that they may never come around. It will be very painful to think that someone you’ve given your life for can turn their back on you, but it does happen.

I can’t really speak to getting gender affirming surgeries, except to say that Thailand has for a very long time been an excellent place for those at comparably reasonable costs, and there are other excellent surgeons in other countries — including the US — who can take care of you. Those tend to be more expensive, but all of this is available online.

Interestingly, I found some years ago that Spain was a good place for this, but I haven’t researched this lately, so you’d want to look into what it has to offer. Your transition will probably be the most important thing you will ever do, and the most difficult to give the attention it deserves. I think you will get as much out of it as you put in.

Elizabeth Savage defines herself as “retired, 70 years of age, an African American transsexual woman who has always known that she was different, but couldn’t articulate that as a child, she knew she wasn’t a boy like everyone told her. “Then I started living my truth in 2011, that I’ve never felt like I belong in the US and am finally searching for a home. I don’t know if sharing my journey with other trans people can be of benefit and I’m always concerned about my personal safety, but I’m willing to put this out there.”

Did you find this resource helpful? Consider supporting our work today with a tax-deductible donation.

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TransLash is a four-episode program that focuses on what it’s like to transition and be Trans–particularly a Trans person of color–at a time of social backlash. Initially distributed as a docuseries on YouTube and Facebook, TransLash follows the transition story of journalist and host Imara Jones, as well as that of the larger Trans community in the Age of Trump.

The post Family Matters appeared first on TransLash Media.

Artistic Legacies explores the power of the Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BTFA) collective, through the stories of Founder Jordyn Jay, musician and songwriter Iman Hill, and ballroom legend Kimiyah Prescott. This three-part docuseries shows how these members use artistic expression to change themselves and the world around them, bringing hope to the most of the marginalized at a time of unprecedented violence and political attack. Artistic Legacies points to how we can create brighter futures by using what’s already inside each of us. The 200-strong BTFA demonstrates how to manifest these possibilities.

About Jordyn: Originally from Jacksonville, FL, Jordyn Jay (she/her) is a storyteller, arts advocate, and producer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Black Trans Femmes in the Arts, Inc. (BTFA). Before founding BTFA, Jordyn received her Master’s degree in Art Politics from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Jordyn is a firm believer in the power of art to inspire radical sociopolitical change and is dedicated to using that power for Black trans liberation.

The post Jordyn’s Story appeared first on TransLash Media.

Artistic Legacies explores the power of the Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BTFA) collective, through the stories of Founder Jordyn Jay, musician and songwriter Iman Hill, and ballroom legend Kimiyah Prescott. This three-part docuseries shows how these members use artistic expression to change themselves and the world around them, bringing hope to the most of the marginalized at a time of unprecedented violence and political attack. Artistic Legacies points to how we can create brighter futures by using what’s already inside each of us. The 200-strong BTFA demonstrates how to manifest these possibilities.

About Iman: Atlanta born and raised, Iman Hill aka hip hop’s “Mona Lisa” (ref: If Mona Lisa Could Talk) is a trailblazing musician, fashion model, advocate, and photographer/ videographer currently residing in Brooklyn, New York. A force unlike none other, her works of various creative mediums have been published in Vogue, Nylon, Paper, Office Mag, I-D and more; the world is truly her oyster. In her works of activism and advocacy, she is a community organizer/dot connector for the black trans community.

Additionally, with efforts to immortalize the beauty that resides within her community presently Iman has recently created the brand entitled “Kunt Kollections : The Kunt News Network” (@KuntKollections on IG) — a series of original photos and videos capturing authentic expressions of the house ballroom scene with a focus on chosen family.

The post Iman’s Story: Artistic Legacies appeared first on TransLash Media.

National Poetry Month is the perfect time to explore our trans-affirming guide to transgender literary pioneers and innovators! Bookmark this page; Team TransLash will make updates to this resource annually.

What is National Poetry Month?

National Poetry Month is observed every April in the United States and was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. It stands as the largest literary celebration in the world, with the aim of highlighting the legacy and achievements of poets, encouraging the reading and writing of poetry, and fostering the placement of poetry at the center of our cultural life.

Transgender Poets: Trancestors

Trans people have always been here. Let this guide serve as a starting point for readers to discover and appreciate the depth and diversity of transgender poetry. Here are just a few deceased trans poets and the stories of their lives from the 19th century to present:

Count Sándor Vay (1859 – 1918)

Count Sándor Vay was a trans Hungarian poet and journalist who subverted societal norms to express his true identity. Richard von Krafft-Ebing documented Sandor’s story in his book Psychopathia Sexualis. Vay passed in most circles as a cisgender man quite convincingly; one of the greatest Hungarian prose writers of the 20th century, Gyula Krúdy, wrote that Vay could have fooled even the madam from the Mark Twain novels.

Vay’s gender journey began with a lie that became a truth. Sandor’s father, Count Ladislas Vay, needed a male heir in order to be able to pass on his title and estate. When Sandor was born, his mother the Countess was informed that she hadn’t obtained the male she had hoped for, but to please her husband she decided to pretend her Sandor was a boy after all. Sandor was given an education suitable for a noble boy and his own father never suspected the deception of the Countess until Sandor was 14.

The Count and Countess tried to make Sandor become a girl named Sarolta, but he rebelled. He knew he was a man and asked to be able to join the army or to go to university, but his father refused. At the age of 16, Vay began publishing poems under the name of Sarolta Vay in the Vasárnapi Ujság (Sunday News).

When Sandor was 21, he was no longer under the control of his parents, so he dressed in smart and fashionable men’s clothes and traveled around Europe. By 1880, Vay lived entirely as a man, engaging in typical “male” behavior such as drinking, duels, and travel.

Vay worked as a male journalist both before and after the sensational trial for his marriage to a woman in 1889. While he was detained after an arrest, it was discovered that Vay had forged documents and that “biologically” he was “female.” It was decided that Sandor had “hereditary taint.” As a result, the experts of that time decided that the fraud he had committed was because of his “condition” and “mental illness.” The court released him.

Despite the controversy, in 1908 a street in his home town was named Count Sándor Vay in his honor. Between 1900 and 1910, Vay compiled over 400 works and published them in 15 volumes as Gróf Vay Sándor munkái (The Works of Count Sándor Vay). But after 1910, newspaper and book publishers were reluctant to publish Vay’s works. He moved to Switzerland and wrote stories which were published in the Sunday edition of Pesti Hírlap.

In March 1918, suffering from pneumonia, Vay died of pleurisy. Obituaries in Hungary lamented his passing and called him “Hungary’s George Sand,” emphasizing the loss his death would be to Hungarian literature.

Vay’s work and life story remain an important part of Hungary’s literary and cultural heritage, providing early insights into the complexities of gender identity.

Ovida Delect (1926 – 1996)

A French poet, communist, and resistance fighter during World War II, Ovida Delect was a trans woman who used her literary talent to articulate her experiences. She significantly contributed to the visibility of trans women in French literature and film. Additionally, Delect identified similarities between her own experience and that of Christine Jorgensen.

Ovida starred in the documentary “Call Me Madame,” which brought the experiences of trans women into the wider canon of women in French cinema.

Anderson Bigode Herzer (1962 – 1982)

A Brazilian poet and writer, Anderson Bigode Herzer was a young transgender man who died tragically by suicide at the age of 20.

Anderson was 4 years old when his father was killed. His mother, a sex worker at the time, was unable to take care of him, making him a ward of the state until he was 14. Herzer was sent to Fundação Estadual para o Bem Estar do Menor (FEBEM), a correctional facility for delinquent youth, though he had committed no crimes.

While at FEBEM, which was often compared to the concentration camps in Nazi Germany, Anderson discovered he was transgender and adopted the name Anderson Bigode Herzer (Anderson being a common male first name in Brazil, and  bigode a nickname meaning mustache) and remained under the State’s care until he was 17. Anderson wrote about his experiences, which included poetry about his gender, his imprisonment, and the hardships he’d been dealt. He published his work as A queda para o alto (descending upwards) shortly before his release from FEBEM at 17.

Upon his release, Eduardo Suplicy, a renowned member of parliament (deputado in Portuguese), touched by Herzer’s poems and difficult life, hired Anderson as an intern in his office. In spite of the support he received, Herzer’s traumatic childhood and experience at FEBEM resulted in him jumping off the Viaduto 23 de Maio, a viaduct located in the downtown area of São Paulo.

The film “Vera” by Sérgio Toledo is based on Herzer’s life. Herzer’s poetry continues to inspire discussions around gender, identity, and societal acceptance of trans youth.

kari edwards (1954 – 2006)

kari edwards was a Bay-area based artist, gender activist and poet born in 1954, Illinois. Hir* work resists containers of binary gender, genre and disciplines; For 12 years edwards taught sculpture and performance art at Denver University, after which she went on to receive an MA in psychology and an MFA in writing from the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado.

Together with her partner Frances Blau, edwards moved to San Francisco, where she became active in the local poetry and transgender communities, working at homeless shelters and advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. edwards also launched a blog, Transdada, and remained committed to social justice and queer activism throughout hir entire life.

In a 2003 Rain Taxi interview with akilah oliver, edwards remarked: “for me language becomes a tool that can be used and then destroyed or reused again in a different way.” Describing her dyslexia, edwards added: “I may be fortunate or not to be dyslexic, so I have the ability to look at an object and lose its name; for a moment I’m in the presence of that object. I guess the same goes for gendered individuals […] it could be that they are a male or female but I never try to fix them to position.”

edwards received a New Langton Arts Bay Area Award in literature, the Small Press Traffic’s book of the year award and a posthumous Lambda Literary Award. edwards’ work can also be found in Scribner’s The Best American Poetry (2004), Bay Poetics (Faux Press, 2006), Civil Disobediences: Poetics and Politics in Action (Coffee House Press, 2004), Bisexuality and Transgenderism: InterSEXions of the Others (Haworth Press, 2004), and elsewhere.

edwards died of a pulmonary embolism at 52 in 2006.

No Gender: Reflections on the Life & Work of kari edwards edited by E. Tracy Grinnell, erica kaufman, Julian Talamantez Brolaski can be purchased here. Accessing a kari edwards teaching guide here.

Transgender Poets: Give Them Their Flowers

Through exploring the rich contributions of emerging transgender poets during National Poetry Month, we not only honor their individual talents, but also recognize the collective power of poetry to foster empathy, awareness, and change.

Chrysanthemum

CHRYSANTHEMUM (pronouns: she/her) is a poet, performance artist and public historian who serves as Co-Director of the Providence Poetry Slam. She is the winner of a 2023 Ruth Lilly & Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation, a Kundiman Fellow, and was awarded the 2023 Justin Chin Memorial Scholarship from Lambda Literary.

In 2016, Chrysanthemum became the first transgender woman to be a finalist at Women of the World Poetry Slam.

Through a MacColl Johnson Fellowship awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation, she organized the Vanishing Point Writing Retreat to connect Asian poets in diaspora through collaborative, peer-led instruction. Chrysanthemum modeled this after Rachel McKibbens’ Pink Door Writing Retreat, of which she is an alumna.

With long-time collaborator Justice Ameer, with whom she served as Artist-in-Residence at Williams College, she co-wrote & co-produced ANTHEM at the American Repertory Theater’s OBERON, weaving poetry, music, song & media arts into a lyrical performance exploring the lasting legacies of vanguards on the contours of race, sex & gender. “Moments of rare joy and celebrations of survival are part of the premise,” wrote WBUR about the debut show.

Follow Chrysanthemum on IG: @chrysanthemvm_

Justice Ameer

Justice Ameer (pronoun: Xe), a Black trans woman poet based in Providence, Rhode Island, is known for xyr powerful voice and dynamic performances. As a Pink Door fellow and co-champion of the inaugural Feminine Empowerment Movement (FEM) Slam, Ameer’s work explores themes of identity, justice, and the trans experience, making significant contributions to the poetry community and beyond.

Explore some of xyr writing:

when white supremacy kills me, Split This Rock. (June 2020)

t for t, Split This Rock. (February 2020)

body without the “d”, Poetry Foundation Magazine. (November 2018)

(After God Herself), Poetry Foundation Magazine. (August 2018)

Night Divine, “Pulsamos: LGBTQ Poets Respond to the Pulse Night Club Shooting,” Glass: A Journal of Poetry. (August 2016)

Justice Ameer’s recognition as a prominent figure in the poetry slam scene underscores the importance of inclusive and diverse narratives in the arts.

Follow Justice Ameer on Instagram: @thejusticeameer

KB Brookins

KB Brookins (pronouns: they/them/theirs) is a Black queer & trans cultural worker, artist, and writer from Texas, celebrated for their poignant and transformative literary work. They are the author of “How to Identify Yourself with a Wound” (Kallisto Gaia Press, 2022), which won the Saguaro Poetry Prize and was named an American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book in Literature.

Their debut full-length poetry collection Freedom House was called “urgent and timely” by Vogue, and named a Best Book of 2023 by Autostraddle, Texas Observer, Chicago Review of Books, and The Poetry Question.

Brookins has emerged as a vital voice in contemporary poetry. Their recognition as a 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellow further validates their significant impact on the literary landscape.

Follow KB Brookins on Instagram: @earthtokb

Lee Mokobe

Lee Mokobe (pronouns: they/them) is an award-winning slam poet, content creator and creative director. Mokobe is a TED Fellow and Adobe Creativity Scholar. They are also a trained traditional healer known as a sangoma.

Lee is the founder of Vocal Revolutionaries, a non-profit organization focused on empowering creative African youth using digital art. Lee is also an LGBTQ activist specifically referencing their experience as a black transgender immigrant in South Africa and America. Through queer advocacy, they have been published several times including alongside Barack Obama and Harvey Milk in Loud and Proud (LGBTQ speeches that inspired the world). Their works and art are taught as part of university and college curriculum all across the world.

Mokobe’s poetry and activism have made significant contributions to the visibility and understanding of transgender experiences.

Lee’s powerful performances and creative projects underscore the transformative potential of poetry to advocate for social change and personal liberation.

Follow Lee Mokobe on Instagram: @leemokobe

Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi

Dubbed the Ancient Jazz Priestess of Mother Africa, Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi (she/her) is a Nigerian, Cuban, Indigenous, American performance artist, author, teacher, choreographer, priestess, speech writer, playwright, writing coach, advocate, healer, a founding member of Force Collision, and a two-time Helen Hayes Award Nominee.

Edidi is the also founder of The Inanna D Initiatives, which curates, produces, and cultivates events and initiatives designed to center and celebrate the work of TGNC Artists of Color.

Considered one of the most prolific trans artists of our time, Edidi is the first Black trans woman to be nominated for a Helen Hayes Award. In 2015, she received an Emerging Leader Award for her work with the DC Trans Community and is the GLBT History Project’s 2018 recipient of the Mujeres en el Movimiento Arts Award. She has also costarred as Patra in the web series King Ester.

In The Politics of Tears (2024), Edidi has written poems exploring the role of war, the weaponizing of identity, the liberation of humanity, the comfort of community and what truly needs to happen for us all to get free. A poetic mirror, the work ask us, who do we believe is worthy of the tears we shed? Who do we ultimately want to be? And, what present do we want to co-create?  

​Follow Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi on Instagram: @ladydanefe

More Trans Poets and Resources

Trace Peterson (she/her) is a trans woman poet critic. Her work combines trans studies and queer studies with writing studies and literary history of 20th-21st century poetry and poetics.

Joshua Jennifer Espinoza (she/her) is a trans woman poet. Her work has been featured in Poetry Magazine, The Paris Review, the American Poetry Review, The Rumpus, Poem-a-day @poets.org, and elsewhere. She is the author of I’m Alive / It Hurts / I Love It (Big Lucks 2019) and THERE SHOULD BE FLOWERS (The Accomplices 2016). You can pre order I Don’t Want to Be Understood (August 2024) here.

H. Melt (they/them) is a poet, artist, and educator whose work celebrates trans people, history, and culture. They are the author of There Are Trans People Here and editor of Subject to Change: Trans Poetry & Conversation. 

ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker, and actor.

Kay Ulanday Barrett (they/he) is a poet, essayist, cultural strategist, and A+ napper. Read one of their poems in the Pride Month 2021 edition of TransLash Zine.

Miss Mojo (she/her) shared a powerful poem during TransLash’s TDOR event in 2019.

This list of poetry by transgender and genderqueer poets was created by librarians at The Seattle Public Library. 

12 queer and trans poets to read for National Poetry Month

Transgender poets category on Wikipedia

Transgender poets thread on Reddit

Trans* and Non-binary poetry: a resource list

Tone It Down: Poetry By A Black Trans Femme

WORTHY, a #TransBodiesTransChoices short film, visually depicts a personal poem written by artist Averi Rose, who shares the relationship she has with herself as a Black trans woman.

Did you find this resource helpful? Consider supporting TransLash today with a tax-deductible donation. Who else should we add to this guide? Let us know!

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The Pose star shared their refreshing wisdom at the 40th annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, at the world premiere of River Gallo-penned and produced Ponyboi. During the Q&A, Moore—who plays Charlie in Gallo’s intersex-affirming & Jersey-set thriller—complimented cis director Esteban Arango on being incredible due to his emotional intelligence.

Watch what we recorded at the Ponyboi world premiere Q&A and access the transcript below:

Indya Moore At Sundance 2024 Replay Transcript

“Well, I actually was enamored by River before I came on to the project. I actually told River; I shared with them that I had a crush on them.

Yeah, they’re really beautiful, and brilliant, and kind. And I’m strong and honest. And that really helped me to bring Charlie to life.

Also, the director Esteban is so emotionally intelligent and I think that’s a hallmark for an incredible director. As we all know, storytelling is really emotional. And it’s, I think what makes us impacted by storytelling, is empathy. Our abilities to connect with the experiences of these characters and these people that exist outside of us in our lives.

And you have to be someone who understands what it means to feel, and not just what it means to feel generally. You also have to be somebody who understands how something in a moment feels.

And also you have to be somebody who’s open to also actively empathize and receive that moment on set and to understand, OK, this is what this feels like. And this is, this is the story in this moment that we’re telling.

I’m not a director. I aspire to be, but if I were to be one, I would take Esteban’s example, and I’m really grateful.

And also something I was thinking about being here. I mean, I want to center Victoria for a moment because her performance and the story she was telling was so heavy.

And I think it speaks to, because there are so many circumstances that make women and trans people and queer people and intersex people really, really vulnerable to receiving any kind of love and any kind of person when we really need it.

And Victoria [Pedretti] helped so much, and there’s so much trauma and abuse [in the film]. I think, like that it’s really traumatic to enact, to experience, to remember and to also embody. You know, like that’s—it’s also traumatic.

But like also I just want to to say you’re really incredible, you’re so powerful. You’re so brilliant, and you are too [at rest of the cast], and thank you.

And also the love in this space, the love that these people created with each other is so powerful and strong.

I was sitting here and I’m like, wow, I’m like what does one do with all this love? And that’s what my head when I was like, how does one, how does one just experience so much love just in space with someone?

And I was just like, if you hold it, hold it, yeah. And you receive it.

And you let it change you.

And I feel like that’s what happened with everyone here. And I hope that the movie was able to impact everyone else in that way too.”

In Ponyboi, an intersex runaway searches for love and a way out of his working class New Jersey neighborhood. Follow the film on social for updates: @ponyboi_film

Want more? TransLash’s guide to the 40th annual Sundance Film Festival is a living document being updated with trans-affirming films and resources through February 2024.

Did you find this resource helpful? Consider supporting TransLash today with a tax-deductible donation. Did we miss anything? Let us know and we’ll update the guide with your suggestion, crediting you as the contributor.

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A Black trans non-binary person stands on a city street with the sunlight creating a halo of glowing light around their head.

10 Trans-Affirming Quotes

Incorporate these affirmations into your daily routine:

Leslie Feinberg (1949 – 2014)

Ts Madison (1977 – present)

Christine Jorgensen (1926 – 1989)

Marsha P. Johnson (1945 – 1992)

Gia Love (1991 – present)

Janet Mock (1983 – present)

Lee Mokobe (1995 – present)

Elliot Page (1987 – present)

Sylvia Rivera (1951 – 2002)

Marquise Vilsón Balenciaga (1981 – present)

Trans-Affirming Health & Wellness Resources

Dive into our selection of trans-affirming resources! Start exploring now and step into a new year of transformative growth and wellness.

Healthcare

• OutCare Health – A directory of LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare providers across various specialties, including mental health and counseling, family medicine, and more. Providers are vetted and OutCare certified.
• Transcend Legal – Provides assistance with transgender-related healthcare covered under insurance, helping clients to receive respectful, high-quality care.
• Jim Collins Foundation – Provides financial support for transition-related expenses for those without insurance or excluded by insurance.

Relationships

• TransLash Guide to T4T Love – Learn about the history of “t4t” and access related resources.
• Free State Legal Project – Provides legal assistance and support, which can be crucial in navigating relationship-related legal matters for transgender individuals. 
• 10 Tips for Couples During Gender Transition: Pamela D. Garcy Ph.D. – writes for Psychology Today, discussing the dynamics of relationships when one partner is undergoing a gender transition. She  offers practical tips and considerations for both the individual transitioning and their partner, emphasizing the importance of open communication, support, and understanding during this process.
• Dating A Trans Person 101 – A guide by Gender Minorities.
• Trans Safe Dating Tips – Staying safe while dating as a trans person.

Mental Health

• Trans-affirming Mental Health Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month – This guide covers a wide range of trans-affirming and trans-friendly mental health organizations and groups.
• Online Zoom LGBTQ+ Mental Health Peer Support Group – Hosted by The LOFT, this group offers a supportive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to discuss mental health and find community.
• The Tribe LGBTQIA Support Group – An online group focused on mental health within the LGBTQIA community.

Professional Development

• TransTech Social – A co-learning and co-working community created to empower, educate, and employ the LGBTQ+ community through accessible education programs, inclusive events, and equitable employment opportunities that teach practical career-ready skills.
• TransWork – Helping transgender and gender non-binary job seekers connect with supportive employers and business partners, providing resources for both employers and job seekers. 
• Trans Can Work – A nonprofit organization committed to advancing workplace inclusion through training strategies and workforce development. 
• Transgender District Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program – This program is for Transgender and Queer People of Color who aspired to start a business.
• Transitioning in the workplace: guide for trans employees: A guide by HRC to help transgender people navigate transitioning at work.
• NASW (National Association of Social Workers) – LGBTQIA2S+ Professional Development: NASW provides a range of professional development resources focusing on the LGBTQIA2S+ community. These resources include webinars, conferences, and continuing education topics tailored to support individuals and families within these communities.
• LGBTQ Business Week – A 7-day celebration of queer owned businesses that launched in 2023.

Did you find this resource helpful? Consider supporting TransLash today with a tax-deductible donation. Did we miss anything? Let us know and we’ll update the guide with your suggestion, crediting you as the contributor.

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Once a month “kings, things, and everyone in betweens” flock to The Oracle Tavern in Downtown LA to join in the art of drag performance and queer and trans community building. August’s theme was “Dungeons and Drag Kings,” so everyone showed out in their fantasy best.

Meet The Kings

Vico Suavè 

Vico Suavè is the drag persona of Vico Ortiz, a non-binary Caribbean actor and performer known for several famous roles in queer television. Vico performed for Them Fatale’s debut show five years ago and continues to appear in their shows as often as they can. Their dedication to this show demonstrates the powerful community ties built through drag performance. 

Watch Vico Ortiz share his views on the SAG-AFTRA strike here.

Ryder Face 

Ryder Face is a new drag king in town and Them Fatale was Justyn Caze’s first ever drag performance. They both put all of themselves on stage, and if I didn’t know their backstories, I would have assumed they both had years of drag experience!

Twinka Masala 

Twinka Masala is a Punjabi Drag King and self described “twink in the streets and existential crisis on the stage.” Their all purple and bedazzled look was a testament to the prismatic range of artistic expression that drag allows for.

ManRouge 

ManRouge is an independent trans musician who literally dances to the beat of his own drum. He performed with his new song “Too Much” as a comical janitor persona. He began with sweeping the stage and ended with wrapping the whole audience with caution tape. 

Johnny Gentleman

The Chainsmokers were performing across the street at the LA State Historic Park, so parking for this Them Fatale show was difficult; not to mention navigating through swarms of Chainsmokers fans to get to the Oracle Tavern. But thanks to all the chaos, I had the honor of watching Johnny Gentleman wading through the Them Fatale crowd with his entourage, arms full of huge props for his performance.

I felt this moment was a beautiful representation of how Drag Kings show up; hands full and fashionably late.

Provvidenza Catalano

Provvidenza Catalano, known by their friends as Enza, is not only the producer, organizer, and face of Them Fatale, they host every show with unmatched energy and enthusiasm. They’re known for involving the audience in every aspect of the show, keeping them engaged and always on their toes. 

Enza chose an audience member to check in on throughout the night. They would then affectionately nicknamed them “Drag Baby,” and had a conversation with them between every few performers. Enza even pulled audience members up to tell us about their DND characters. They also invited audience members to take the mic and promote their own queer events and businesses. 

Another part of the night, known by Them Fatale regulars as “Date Mic,” had people coming up to pitch themselves to any potential suitors in the audience. 

Beyond playing Cupid, Enza and their team created Them Fatale to showcase drag art while nurturing queer community and connections. Every aspect of their hosting style engages the audience to participate in the show, creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Kings that I didn’t get to interview but nevertheless showed out with incredible performances included Vik Floyd, Trey Mobile, and Johnny Gentleman. 

Gender Justice LA

On top of offering fabulous drag performances, all proceeds from Them Fatale shows go towards a local queer organization! This month’s organization was Gender Justice, an LA-based trans mutual aid org.

Gender Justice LA is a grassroots organization dedicated to building the power of the transgender and gender non-conforming community here in LA. They use community organizing and leadership development to make concrete changes in the lives of all TGNC people, especially low-income trans people of color. They seek to build our community’s power to fight for racial, social, cultural, and economic justice.

Drag Is Art

Julian K. Jarboe famously said “God blessed me by making me transsexual for the same reason God made wheat but not bread and fruit but not wine, so that humanity might share in the act of creation.” 

I believe drag was created by trans people so that the queer and trans community could share in the act of gender expression and celebration. Never have I felt more affirmed in my identity than at a drag show, and all the kings I talked to have expressed that same sentiment in their own ways.

Drag Is The Art Of Gender Expression, And Drag Shows Are How We Share That Art With Each Other

At the end of the night, as all the kings piled on stage for a group photo, fireworks from the Chainsmokers concert across the street lit up the night sky.

The colorful and glittering explosions weren’t meant for us, but we took ownership of them anyway—because Drag Kings deserve fireworks every time they perform. 

Did you find this resource helpful? Explore all of our Drag King content here and consider supporting TransLash today with a tax-deductible donation.

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