Trans Day of Remembrance/Resilience

This month several activists from YouthResource, our LGBTQ Youth Leadership Program, have written pieces reflecting on TDOR and what it means to them. Read what Aidan has to say:

It Takes More Than a Day to Acknowledge Black Trans Voices

Every year this day comes and goes, and every year I reflect on all injustices we as a community have endured. As a Black Trans man, this day holds significant because we pay tribute to those trans individuals lives lost, but because these lives are overwhelmingly Black and Brown. It’s the one day the world acknowledge Black and Brown Trans experiences and hardships. Being black and trans is revolutionary, breaking the narrative that these identities can’t not intersect and doing it magically. Learning to navigate my experience in both the LGBTQ community and Black community, has been a journey that at times can feel isolating, often feeling divided in one’s self.

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.

When I think of community, I think of inclusiveness. Community has historically being a place of coping, healing and support, it looks like a place where your experience is validated, it looks affirming and just like you. It’s a place where you discover your true authentic self. There can not be a community if homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and racism are present. Our Black Future looks like more than Trans Day of Remembrance to acknowledge Black trans lives lost, but acknowledging Black trans experiences all year around. It looks like actually inclusive community, with spaces for Black and trans individuals. Black Trans Futurism looks resilient; the resilience, bravery and strength our ancestors have passed down. My Black Trans Future looks and feels liberating.