Personal Musings of Transgender Society. Questioning The World That Affects Us With a Celebration of The Duality and Unity of Being Trans. Inspire and You Will Be Inspired.
In case many haven't found me. I'm now on Wordpress and our latest post is a tribute to our community's greatest. Monica Roberts. Monica helped me here on Blogspot for many years. Promoting my blogs and giving advice. Last week we lost our greatest warrior and I invite you over to TheTMPlanet.com to see the latest.
A simple definition given for gender dysphoria is, 'The condition of feeling one's emotional, and psychological identity as male or female to be opposite to one's biological sex." While the definition sounds simple enough, it's far from being so simple for millions of trans people. In fact it's one of greatest factors in the high numbers of suicides within our community, along with social prejudice, lack of access to fair employment, housing, and opportunities.
I recently asked some of our most devoted Friends of TMP to share with us, and our cis allies, in their own words what dysphoria feels like to them. While America determineT where we use the bathroom, and speculate on our intentions, 20 trans people tell us how they feel on a day to day basis.
"Dysphoria for me is living on a small Caribbean island, and everybody knows who you are. When it comes to having an open relationship with a man, it becomes very difficult. Even though I am passable, it's hard to find a man who is comfortable dating a trans woman, openly in public." Tori Culmer
"Dysphoria is something I've never not had. Growing up, I hated looking in a mirror due to it being disassociated from my reflection, and my body...still don't. There is still utter disgust at seeing my body in a mirror, and panic when out, when I have to use a toilet, and paranoia that they can tell I'm binding."
Tiernan Tomlinson
"Dysphoria for me is like....I'm being crushed. I can't breathe...can't feel...can't empathize. These feelings of hopelessness, and despair are overwhelming.
I get it really bad at work, it's fucking terrifying. I don't really wanna go into it. I can become very violent. I've not yet started medically transitioning, and really want to start HRT. I'm waiting on uncertain letters, from uncertain doctors, in uncertain times. All I can do is wait." Nathan Greig
"Dysphoria is like an out of body experience. I feel lost, confused; like I don't know what I'm doing.
I feel so doubtful of who I am. I know I'm definitely not a man, but feel so far from a woman. It makes me look at all the things I hate about myself: my too-wide shoulders, my too-small hips, my too-small breasts. It makes me hyper aware, comparing myself to every girl who walks by.
It kills me." Anais Majewski
"It was hard for me because I knew I wasn't lesbian completely. I hate my boobs, but I was willing to carry my partners baby because, she doesn't have the equipment, being a trans woman. We got engaged, and though we can't afford our surgeries yet, we still give each other the freedom. Instead of calling her 'Brandon', like her parents do. In front of them I call her 'Abby', she's my wife, and I'm a pregnant daddy, not a mommy."
Jaimmy Jury
"Dysphoria feels like a bad pair of fitted pants. You look at yourself in the mirror, and your not happy. Your initial thought is to remove the pants because you look bad in them. For me, that's what it feels like in my skin. I was born female at birth, and I hate looking at my chest everyday. I bind all the time, and I can not step out of the house without wearing one. I won't feel OK in my body until I have top surgery."
Aiden DiRe
"My dysphoria for what's between my legs is the worst. I'm not able to get surgery to fix it yet, and
everyday feels like torture. On my most dysphoric days, I feel like 'Wesley from the Princess Bride', when the machine was turned up to 50 in the 'Pit of Despair,' and like Wesley, the only thing that keeps me going on those days is the love that I have for my girlfriend." Regina V. Gallico
"It's definitely gotten so much easier since time has passed. I've learned a lot. I won't always pass to everyone, and that's okay. If I look feminine sometimes, that's okay too. I'm kind of feminine for a transman, and at first it was so embarrassing, and uncomfortable, but I've really come to embrace it, because we are all unique parts of a large community. I used to have terrible dysphoria. Some days, I would even wear two binders at once, (don't do that, it's not safe), but now I don't even need to wear one most days. I'm so much happier now."
John Neu
"I get a lot of specific dysphoria. Especially over my voice, feet, and hands. I have to really work to
remind myself my extremities are proportional, and do not make me stand out any more than any other tall cis woman. There are lots of cis women, even popular celebrities, and my cis sister, that have deep voices. I worked hard at changing my voice, and this is as good as it's going to get. Sometimes it just gets overwhelming though, and it feels like I'm being suffocated."
Erin R. Alexander
"Dysphoria, for me, is hard to describe. In pre-HRT days, I really didn't know what was going on with me. I just felt disconnected from myself. I could never really relate to my guy friends, and I wanted to be included in the activities my girl friends did. When I tried befriending another girl, she would interpret it as flirting, sometimes to the point where they thought I was creepy, because I was always enthusiastic about hanging out with them. I drank a lot in my 20's, and did a lot of cocaine. It wasn't until I was 33 that everything started to make sense, especially after a dream I had, where I saw myself as a woman, and felt so empowered, and full of life. HRT did away with a ton of that dysphoria, but now it's more specific. Now, I sometimes feel like I'm some kind of alien consciousness stuck in a human host that doesn't reflect who I know myself to be. I'm so much happier now though, despite those moments."
River Laurie
"Dysphoria for me feels a bit like this photo, it is confusing or was for me. I still look a little like 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame', cause I slumped my body a bit so my t-shirt would fall from my chest. Also walking against the wind was not cool, I'm talking pre binder time, and since there were no packers, I also stuffed myself with socks, in the crotch that is. I am all post op, and still can feel it at times, but it is less invading, and less depressing. Like some women here, yes I wanted to have kids. I mourned that lost opportunity, but now at 55, I've accepted it. When the dysphoria got less, and surgery certainly did help, my mind opened more, and I could appreciate being trans a lot more because it also gave me things like inner strength. I am more open to things I don't understand right away, and more of this."
Sam Omen
"I'm 28, MtF pre-everything. I've always been like this. My mumsie, a war veteran, has always been supportive of me. We have mainly lived in 'ironclad red states', due to the cost of living being within
the budget as it were. In an effort to protect me though, considering what I am, my mumsie home schooled me entirely. She is extremely sharp witted with a massive intellect, so my whole life has on the one hand been like a giant 28 year college degree. She has taught me a fiercely strong faith, assuring me that God loves me, and that the hate that is spewed at trans people is a corruption of Jesus's teaching, and to treat all people with love. I will say this though, I have no friends except for mumsie, because of what I am. I have never been on a date because of what I am. I have never had sex, or one bit of a romantic relationship because of what I am. Dysphoria is the reason that I don't fear hell, because I already know what hell is like. Hell and Dysphoria are the same thing, because in the words of Jesus on the encounter film "there is no love in hell, no kindness, no happiness. Hell is torment, a torment that eats at you from the inside."...in closing , let those who would raise cane against this post look upon me, what they consider to not be human or even a woman."
Grace A. Ashcraft
"My dysphoria, means boys will never date me because I haven't had any surgeries. Dating is impossible, because I always have to throw out a disclaimer for what they're really getting into. Trans pride feels more like a defective label, since I'm never good enough for anyone."
Jaelyn A. Harris
"What Dysphoria feels like for you? For me it's the knowing that I'm not truly seen, like I"m constantly wearing a disguise. It hits me hardest when I'm perfectly content, and happy in what I'm doing, and then I catch my face reflected in a glass or a mirror, and I'm suddenly reminded of how I'm seen; that my face is that of a man. It's honestly completely jarring, then I'm suddenly aware of it,
and I think everyone is starring at me, and I want to just vanish from existence."
Lianne Hobbs
"Dysphoria sucks!!! As a 43 year old FtM pre-op everything, it's harder some days than others. It comes out of the blue on the weirdest of times. Some days it doesn't bother me at all. My triggers are also pretty strange. Sometimes going by women's clothes in a department store, someone not calling me by my preferred name, and or pronouns, or just knowing that I am still menstruating sets me off, etc. I cannot wait for the day that I am completely post-op. It gets so bad in fact, that I wish I could cut myself open, and walk out of this false shell in which my total male soul dwells. I have a support group in which I attend, and very close friend, an MtF pre-op everything, that helps me deal with things. Love them all dearly. As I have people who love, accept, and or understand me. I feel as I could rule the world. Thank you for giving me a chance to voice my side of this issue."
Mykel T. McCown
"I'm thankful I don't endure too many episodes of being mis-gendered anymore. When I do, it's some family members that just simply refuse, and it feels like someone just snuck up behind me and slammed me with a baseball bat. I literally jump, and feel like I've been knocked in the middle of an NFL stadium, full of people, bare naked. I hate it with a passion."
Sabrina Samone, TMP
"This past fall, I let my hair grow again. It triggered quite a bit of dyshhoria. I wrote about it on my 'Every Day Trans'.
blog '
C. J. Levine
"Dysphoria used to just be this overwhelming feeling that everything is wrong, and if I could just remove myself from this shell it could all be ok. It used to be rage, and self loathing, depression, and self harm. Since treatment, and for the six months of HRT, so far it's been more manageable. The single most wonderful day of my life so far was when I got this cut, and color last Friday. I cried so much. It was the very first time that I could clearly see Alexia in the mirror. The very first time, I didn't worry about passing, or how anyone else in the world perceived me. I saw a beautiful woman looking back at me. Now I have that moment. Now I know my truth. It feels like a little lantern I can hold up against the daily dysphoria. I'm confident that I'll eventually have enough little lanterns that the dysphoria will become just a tiny nuisance." Alexia L. Partridge
"Dysphoria is something I haven't had much of recently. Yet, the times I feel it are on the rare everyone is starring at my chest, and that they see me as female because of it. Also, I feel it when someone is extra "bro-y" to me. That's more with random people who don't know me though. I guess the way my dysphoria shows itself now is that I don't feel like I fit into male or female anymore, and I get flustered when someone asks what I am, mostly online because I live as male in day to day. Even when people say I'm FtM. I used to say that, but now I feel trans accurately describes me. It's like something at the tip of your tongue you can't express."
occasions I don't have my binder. I feel like
Remy Fecteau
"Dysphoria has caused me to hate myself much of my life, and self harm in more ways than one should from physically hurting myself. Doing things to sabotage my own life; to make things even worst for myself, and has kept me hiding away from people all my life. I kept myself at a distance
from almost everyone, though am taking steps to try to change my social anxieties, there's always going to be issues with that thing downstairs so long as it remains there, so it doesn't matter who I have in my life, or what activities I fill my life with, the pain I experience with living with a part that doesn't belong. A part of me will always be that thing to cause me to walk the edge of a chasm. So many countless times I thought, if only I can just do it, be rid of it, from cutting it off to smashing it, already tried, and failed several attempts, then I could finally get on with my life, and breath a sigh of relief, if I survive. The only thing keeping me from being rid of it myself, is knowing if I did, then I would never have any hope of being complete and that could be just as bad as living with the damn thing. If I'm on the estrogen, I am less likely to have thoughts of self destruction, than those times I was not taking it, but still every so often I still get those moments where I feel things will never change. A feeling of deep hopelessness, and that I will never be able to be completely at peace with myself. Someday I hope to be truly happy in my own skin, be able to see myself, every part of me and love it all, and also perhaps allow myself to be loved as well. There's that dream, I still hold onto that things will be right, that I will look down or look at myself in the mirror and smile, not just my face but every part of my being will shine, no more personal dysphoria, no more fears out there, no more needing to hide anything about me.
Megan Robers
"Dysphoria leaves it's mark with me daily. I'm reminded in every corner of my life, that I can't carry my own child. My body wasn't designed to nurture life, as my natal-female friends were. I have to fight back tears anytime I read about a friend whose expecting, or weddings, or dreams, and the only light I can see in those moments, is the reflection in the mirror."
I didn't say yes to a man. I said, yes I will, to a king amongst men.
Now don't let his biology for one second give any doubt to his hetero sexuality, he was a man through and through.
Even through the 15 foot wall he had to carry around him, to protect the delicacies of his 5'4 frame, he was anything but delicate.
He was a man through and through.
He was The Honey Mooners meets Red Foxx, with a dash of Andy Griffin, a sprinkle or two of John Wayne and a whole lot of Stanley; from Street Car Named Desire.
He was a man through and through.
With Popeye arms, tattoos, and the occasional T rage, I would find myself smiling so in love as he flexed, grunted and posed.
He was a man through and through.
He relished in it. That masculinity I had fled like the final Armageddon; he swam it, drunk in every ounce, and surrendered to it with such ease.
He was a man through and through.
His 1950's traditionalism often clashed with my feminism, as misogyny sometimes to me,
but I knew I was his Queen, and felt the value of what that means,
cause he was a man through and through.
While most men lazily discard their masculinity he fought and fought for his like a Roman warrior. Still this world wouldn't always see my man through and through.
From his earliest days he heard he was not enough, the mirror lied, and the pain of once not being him, he no matter what, could never hide.
I bet you don't know, that there was nothing he couldn't do. Nothing he couldn't fix, couldn't learn, couldn't focus on.
All the things you were told of what makes a man, it was effortless for him.
Yet, the world would never see my man through and through.
If I'm the pink cloud and he the blue, the enemy was the white chasm we could not get society to let us through.
The hate killed his soul, with every troubling 'not enough ' thought,
of every sip of not good enough,
with every let down that screamed to him not man enough.
This world wouldn't see my man through and through.
While I carried a small banner of my people and worked like many in the revolution,
your world was his revolution.
To take him as the man he was,
respect him just as a man,
was the revolution he quietly fought.
As I, his only support and connection to the cause, he was all yours world while I watched.
Watching you never seeing my man through and through.
Why was it so hard world, to let a man be the king he was always meant to be.
Why take from a queen the only connection to her own soul she would ever know.
How I wish, you could have saw my man, for the man he was through and through.
Thanks to you world, I will wonder the rest of my days just wishing it had been so.
While we watch the new #notourpresident attack one group after the next through his Executive Orders, we have at least some good major news so far this year. Boy Scouts of America says it will begin accepting members based on their gender identity, opening the door for transgender boys to join.
Under the new policy, which takes effect immediately, membership in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts will be based on the gender indicated on an application. Previously, the organization had relied on an individuals birth certificate to determine eligibility for it's single gender programs.
This is welcome news to the growing number of trans kids with supportive families, that are fortunate to live their authentic selves. According to recent Federal data by the Williams Institute, nearly 1.4 million Americans openly identify as transgender. The data estimates that there are 150,000 trans youth between the ages of 13-17 years of age. Unfortunately there is not an official count of younger trans kids for various reasons. Primarily due to the fact, Pediatricians generally do not ask patients about their gender identity, and if they do, they do not usually report findings in a national health registry.
The CDC, which analyze much of our behavioral health data, has tested ways for students to identify themselves as transgender. But it has not yet settled on a satisfactory method, and it does not expect to include such question in its Adolescent Health Survey before 2019. Yet we do know that the medical community has reported a rise internationally, of transgender children seeking approval for transitional health care.
The shift is a significant one for the Boy Scouts, which ended a ban on gay scouts in 2013. In 2015, the organization decided to allow gay scout leaders, a decision that came months after a council in New York defied policy and hired an openly gay scout leader. Zack Wahls, the co-founder of Scouts for Equality said, "This is another historic day for the Boy Scouts of America. The decision to allow transgender boys to participate in the Cub Scouts and the Boy scouts is an important step forward for this American institution."
Boy Scouts chief executive Michael Surbaugh said in a video message about today's announcement. "We realized that referring to birth certificates as the reference point is no longer sufficient. Communities and state laws are now interpreting gender identity differently than society did in the past. These new laws vary widely from state to state." He went on to say in reference to the policy taking effect immediately, "Our organizations local councils will help find units that can provide for the best interest of the child."
This is good news for young trans boys like eight year old, Joe Maldonado, who was recently kicked out his troop in New Jersey for being trans. He told The Record Newspaper, "it made me mad. I had a sad face, but I wasn't crying. I'm way more angry than sad. My identity is a boy. If I was them, I would let every person in the world go in. It's right to do."
For the third year in a row, 'Orange is the New Black', won for Best Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series , earlier at the 23 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Taylor Shilling delivered an emotional speech that brought everyone to their feet.
Most of the large cast took to the stage to accept the award, and Schilling used the opportunity to speak proudly of the diversity of the show. She and many other entertainers, continued to speak against the recent actions of #notmypresident's executive order, that temporarily bans all refugees from entering the United States.
"We stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing gendations of families that have sought better life here; Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ireland, and we know that its going to be up to us, and all of you probably too...to show that what unites is stronger than the forces trying to divide us," she said to a roaring crowd.
Diversity was a recurring theme at last night's awards, and OTNB its crown jewel.
Season 5 is becoming the most talk about season thus far for the Netflix series. Thirteen episodes of the new season will be filmed in a course of 3 days. Anticipation is growing to if the show will pick up exactly where it left off, or is a usual small time lapse expected. Regardless, cast member Danielle Brooks says, "Season 5 is done over the course of three days. You will watch 13 episodes and find out what happens in the course of three days, so it will be very detailed, very intense, and you better get ready, get your popcorn, your tissues, everything, for...I don't know when it's coming out because they never tell us, but sometime this summer."
Popcorn, extra pillows for the couch, more junk food, and cuddle bunny ordered for Season 5 of OTNB.
A Trans man in Sharon, Pennsylvania, was shot by police Friday night, after officer responded to a domestic violence call.
Sean Hake, 23, was killed in the home where he lived. Police has released few details except to confirm that the shooting was officer involved, and that the officer who shot Hake has been placed on administrative leave, until the investigation is complete.
The police did not say what role, or any that Hake may have had in the domestic assault that the officers responded too. Sean had been previously arrested for violating an order as recently as March 2016, according to the local news outlet, WKBN.
"He had a genuinely good heart, and he had struggled with his problems, but he always made sure that he was there for other people," said a friend.
Early media reports had mis-gendered Sean Hake, but a friend came forward to confirm to the news station that the victim was a transgender man.
Sadly, one of his last post on his Facebook page read, "This has been such a great fuckin day. First with the consult in 2 weeks, and now I just got a call from a very excited April telling me she got called to get her green sheet tomorrow. She's coming home!
God has blessed me something fierce today."
Hake is the third transgender person reported killed in the United States so far in 2017. Even though the motive that led to the death of Sean Hake has not been determined by SLED, he remains a trans person killed.
Mesa Caldwell became the first known transgender person killed this year in Mississippi. Only days later, the murder of 28 year old, Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow, from Sioux Falls SD, would follow. Our community has been heightened by the fear of bigotry following the election of Trump, and the record year of deaths in 2016.
Last year young Chen, filed a complaint with a labor arbitration committee in Guiyang, in the southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou; attributing his firing to bias against transgender individuals.
It is being described as the first case in China involving transgender discrimination in the workplace. Remarkable in a country that ass zero protections against LGBT discrimination. "We found this a little bit of a shame," Huang Sha, said the lawyer for the 28 year old trans masculine identified plaintiff. The Plaintiff Chen, said in an interview last year that the company's human resources manager had complained that he dressed like a gay man and looked too "unhealthy" to be an employee for a health checkup company.
The company was ordered to pay Chen nearly sixty one dollars(402 renimibi), for the probation
Mr. C center, with legal team
period, but rejected his demand for an additional month's pay of 2,000 renminbi and an apology. As a result, he and his lawyer went to court.
The court held its first hearing in June but adjourned when Mr. Huang demanded an examination of two documents that the company had submitted as evidence that Chen had been fired for poor performance, failing to dress according to company standards and missing work.
The case resumed in December, after court-appointed experts from Center of Forensic Science at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law concluded, there was no way to authenticate the two documents. The court's ruling was issued on December 30th.
Mr. Huang said the court concluded that the company had failed to prove that it had fired him for reasons permitted as grounds for dismissal under labor law, and ordered the company to pay Mr. C, the 2,000 renminbi in compensation. The court however, also said there was no proof that Chen's termination had resulted from the company's discriminatory attitude toward transgender people, and did not grant him an apology.
"This has demonstrated how low the cost of breaking the law is for employers," the lawyer said, referring to the amount of compensation. "This is why the current job discrimination situation is so grim."
"This case also highlights the problem of 'invisible discrimination,' because employers can always claim they fired people for reasons other than the one they're accused of," he continued to say.
While we have witnessed many lawsuits in the U.S over the past eight years, and this is China's first, the lawyer does bring up a valid point about invisible discrimination. Many states, including mine of South Carolina are 'Right To Work' states. There is a lot of legal rambling in the law, and it is said to prevent the growth, and power of Unions, but the fact remains it also gives employers the right to fire without cause. This is where the problem with invisible discrimination comes into play, even in good old USofA.
Welcome to our 5th listing of our community's most influential people: voted by our Friends of TransMusePlanet. Votes are cast by the readers of this blog, along with our followers on various social media pages.
This year I tried making it more fair. With ten times more followers on Facebook I shortened the voting time there, and extended it on TMP's Google plus community (our more mature following), Tumblr ( our youngest following), and Twitter. The results were drastic from the previous years, and gave a wider look into the diversity of our TMP community.
Here are your votes Friends of TMP and our TMP community is definitely a sampling of what matters, and important in our greater trans community. For the first time this year, more than one Trans Youth is represented; reflecting the hottest debate of the year, the bathroom bills. Also, each year we have seen the visibility of Trans masculinity grow. This year it's at an all time high as is reflected by the number of men nominated and voted too our list. During the first year, I literally had to ask trans male friends whom to nominate that they admire. This year there were more trans men nominated than women. Now more than ever, we need both the men and women of our community to stand united, and be visible as possible to counter the bigotry we all fear may come. A trans community united, and visible cannot be erased!
Many have shared that they would like to see more faces represented this year. Your votes were loud, and clear. We as a community face some major challenges under the new administration in 2017. It is exciting to see how far we've come from a limited amount of representations among us, to a trans community that is seen, and known to touch all aspects of life. Today the list is limitless of those in our community that are inspiring a new genderation every year.
We may have some hard work for us in the coming year, but today we can celebrate the unity and diversity of what trans looks like now, in our time. Here are your Top 20 brothers and sisters that continue to inspire us, and the new genderation ahead.
BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING
1.TRANS PERSON OF THE YEAR:
Sarah McBride
There are many moments in Trans history that will be talked about for genderations to come. Moments like Marsha P. Johnson's throwing of the first brick into the window of the Stonewall bar that started a revolution, the first publicly written SRS story about Christine Jorgensen, the day theDSM no longer classified transgender as a mental illness, and the more appropriate renaming of 'Gender Identity Disorder' with 'Gender Dysphoria'. We will remember the the first President of The United States to validate a people long ignored, and addressed our issues that led to the ban on transgender personnel serving openly in the US military. Another historical moment we will never forget is the day one of our own stood before billions around the globe and said, "My name is Sarah McBride, and I'm a proud Transgender American."
Sarah McBride was born in Wilmington, Delaware. From early on she had a passion for political life. As a student of American University she worked on Gov. Jack Markell's 2008 campaign, and late Attorney General Beau Biden's (son of V.P. Joe Biden) 2010 campaign. She then went on to become the student body President at American University. Later she gained national attention by coming out as transgender in the university's student paper, 'The Eagle'. She received support from both the Bidens, which lead to an internship at the White House in 2012. With that internship, she made history as the first openly transgender woman to work at the White House in any capacity.
Already a respected activist in the trans community, Sarah also became the trans community's
sweetheart when she met Andrew Cray, an equally respected trans activist. Their fairy tale romance inspired many in our community. Our hearts broke with hers, as the news spread that the newly married McBride had lost her husband to cancer. She detailed the tragic events, and the strong unwavering love they shared that lead to their wedding shortly before his death in an article for the Huffington Post; Forever and Ever: Losing my Husband at 24. With the strength of that love, she stood in front of the world and said, "Knowing Andy left me profoundly changed, but more than anything else his passing taught me that everyday matters when it comes to building a world where every person can live their life to the fullest." She spoke of her late husband, the accomplishments she witnessed first hand in her home state of Delaware, and the strong LGBT caucus she stood before, as she became the first transgender person to deliver a speech at a national party convention. She brought attention to America the hate, and violence lgbTQ people face, but gave hope that the future can be different. "Tomorrow, we can be respected and protected. Especially if Hillary Clinton is our President," she said. With that speech McBride gave hope that it gets betterto millions of transgender children in the world. After that speech, every trans person in America held their heads just a little higher than before. We were included, noticed, and validated through the visibility Sarah demonstrated to the world. Her visibility, work for the state of Delaware, and her devotion to her husband inspired a genderation of trans people that marked this moment as one of the most historical of their lifetime.
"We must never be a country that says there's only one way to love, one way to work, and only one way to live." --Sarah McBride
7. Geraldine Roman
In her words, "I'm just another politician that happens to be transgender". Yet, for transgender people, even beyond the borders of the Philippines, she is much, much more. She is the proof to trans people across the world, that they can be more than just their gender. As the first transgender woman to be elected to congress in the heavily Catholic populated Philippines, she made a monumental historical mark for a group around the world that longs to just be seen as a person.
After years of Philippine political figures ridiculing lgbT people, in a country where the vast majority are Catholic, it was a notable achievement to say the least. Especially considering Roman bested her closest opponent for the congressional district with 62% of the vote, a landslide.
Her platform was the socioeconomic unrest that is growing in the Philippines. With just over a population of 100 million,25%of the country's population remains below the poverty line. She was aware of these challenges facing her country growing up in a political family. In fact the very seat Roman would take was previously held by her mother.
Though she did not run a campaign specifically on lgbt issues, she is a champion for all, in a country without any openly lgbt politicians. Throughout a country where the religious majority plays a powerful role, lgbT rights remain a huge priority for Roman, who said during the campaign that her family always remained supportive of her. Her father advised her to remain confidant, despite being bullied for her gender identity in school.
"Gender only becomes an issue when you try to keep it a secret. I'm so happy so why should I be ashamed." ---Geraldine Roman
14. Kael McKenzie
Kael McKenzie didn't set out to be a historical trailblazer, yet he ended up sitting asCanada's first transgender Judge. He was appointed to the Provincial Court of Monitoba in December 2015. The appointment helped many struggling trans people embrace their own gender identity, and gave hope to countless parents of transgender youth of what a future now looks like for their trans sons, and daughters.
As a graduate of the University of Manitoba, he has worked as a lawyer in private practice, commercial, and civil law. He co-chaired the Canadian Bar Association's sexual orientation, and gender identity conference from 2012-2014.
A self described tomboy as a child, he enrolled as a sea cadet at 13 to escape the feminine clothes of his youth for the same uniform worn by all sea cadets. By 19 he enlisted in the Navy during the time when it was against Canadian Armed Forces regulations to be gay or lesbian. After a marriage, and years denying his authenticity during the beginning of his law career, Kael began transitioning.
On February 12th 2016, McKenzie was sworn in, in historic fashion, live streamed throughout the country. He says he feels a responsibility to send a message that; "Transgender people can be anything they want to be, and the only barriers are ourselves."
"My hope is that one day this is not going to be newsworthy, and that when judges are appointed who happen to be transgender, it's going to be regular everyday occurrences, the same as any other marginalized group or equity group." ---Kael McKenzie
THE GAME CHANGERS
2. Coy Mathis
From the time Coy was one and a half years old she loved nothing more than playing dress up. Coy is one of four siblings, and child of Karthryn and Jeremy Mathis. Coy's fascination with all things pink and fluffy was assumed to be the harmless play of a toddler, whose mind was yet untainted by the world of the gender binary. The Mathis family assumed what most parents of trans kids think in the beginning, it's just a phase. Until one night in 2010, while tucking little Coy into bed, she asked her mother, "When am I going to get my girl parts?"
Now began the journey that would lead the Mathis family to make a decision to be apart of a radical social experiment. The choice to listen to the heartache of your child, or follow the strict gender social constructs their daughter seemed destined to collide with.A collision course with their local school district placed Coy in the center of the transgender movement as our youngest icon. If the transgender movement is the final frontier for lgbT, then our trans youth represent its farthest outpost.
Coy and her family joined a growing group of families no longer willing to sacrifice the safety, mental stability, or the life of their children by preventing them to live authentically as themselves. Yet, as the parents of transgender children, they joined in the struggle with every trans person against the bigotry that awaits us all. That bigotry would rear it's ugly head state after state this year flooding bathroom bills from grade schools, to adult work environments.
Many who felt angered by the loss from the fight of marriage equality, redirected their bigotry to justify that hate towards trans youth. Even now with plans for an upcoming film, 'Growing up Coy', that has led her onto the cover of the National Geographic, her family has experienced a tsunami of hate, and bullying. The film which will chronicle the Mathis family life before, during, and after the lawsuit recently premiered in New York. The director of the film, Eric Juhola says of Coy, "Coy is just a little girl who wants to be like all the other little girls, and do everything else that any other little girl would want to do, including using the girls bathroom."
"She doesn't want to have to explain who she is, and talk about how she's different. She just wants to be." ---Kathryn Mathis, Mother of Coy Mathis
6. Gavin Grimm
One day at Gloucester High School as school bells were ringing, girls chatting and giggling at handsome boys passing, and with teachers screaming "No running in the halls", a young man was simply needing to go to the bathroom. When young Gavin Grimm needed to pee, the world stopped, and nearly fell over the edge of the flat planet they still believed in.
During his sophomore year the young teenager began quietly reintroducing himself as a boy. Grimm had previously men's bathrooms in restaurants, stores, and at the nearby amusement park because, well he was a boy. He looked like a boy, and so he naturally walked into the boy's bathroom at his high school in 2014. That swinging of a stall, would led to an acrimonious public debate over bathroom usage.
The debate that started in this sleepy town grew, in and out of court, and all the way to the Supreme Court. It created a media storm, and social media frenzy. The ACLU, and the entire trans community rallied behind Gavin, creating a new slogan,'I Stand With Gavin'. That slogan, would be later adapted for all trans people in the struggle to use the restroom, and became 'I'll stand With You.' Initially, the Grimm's sued the school board, stating the policy violated his civil rights. Next, the case reached the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, which ruled Grimm's suit could continue. The court deferred to the Obama administration's position that barring transgender students from bathrooms is a violation of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in public schools. A lower court ordered the school board to allow Grimm to use the boy's bathroom while the case proceeded, but the school board appealed to the Supreme Court, which stayed the order; meaning the bathroom policy will remain in effect until the Supreme Court decides the case in 2017, right around the time Grimm will graduate from high school.
This case placed a reluctant teen into the national spotlight, and led the bathroom debates to the Supreme Court. It has also made an advocate of young Gavin Grimm.
"I'm nothing particularly threatening or extraordinary, I'm just another 17 year old kid. I have 17 year old fears, and worries, and I have 17 year old motivations, which is just to get out of high school, and have fun with my friends and family. There's just nothing about me that is predatory or dangerous,or warrants the kind of response I got from my local community."---Gavin Grimm
9. Nicole Maines
Nicole Maines, is an advocate, and actress that has felt the devastating consequences of school boards forcing her into a restroom not in accordance with her gender identity.
Recently this year she appeared in the t.v. series Royal Pains, and the HBO documentary, 'The Trans List'. Maines has also become an advocate of trans youth after her experiences in a Main school district during her 5th grade year.
Her family filed a discrimination lawsuit and in2014, she made history when Maine's Supreme Court ruled that officials from the public school violated anti-discrimination law, by not allowing her to use the girl's restroom. It was the first time that a state court ruled it unlawful to deny transgender students access to the bathroom of the gender they identify. The news catapulted Nicole into the spotlight, and as an outspoken trans activist today.
"Acceptance at home is fundamental yes, but frankly it's just not enough. Trans youth, like most young people, spend the majority of their time at school. If you spent Mon-Fri, from 8-3, being told that you weren't okay, that you were wrong, how are you meant to think otherwise?"---Nicole Maines
THE INSPIRATIONS
3. Chris Moiser
Chris Mosier took a giant leap for transgender athletes, and for trans men everywhere, when he became the first trans member of Team USA. When the IOC, and the governing bodies solidified their current regulations on transgender athlete eligibility in January, the frustration, the inequality, and the fears Mosier had faced finally felt redeemed.
Mosier has won several awards in competing, and has become an advocate for trans athletes founding, 'Transathlete.com'; a resource for students, athletes, coaches, and administrators to find information about trans inclusion in athletics at various levels of play. He is also the executive director of 'GO! Athletes', a non-profit safe place for former lgbTQ athletes.
Already appearing in several major news outlets this year, he also became the first openly transgender athlete to be featured in the 'Body Issue' of ESPN Magazine. He also became the first trans athlete to appear in a Nike ad, (a trans inclusive corporation).
"It's a very different experience when you put the person before the pronoun."---Chris Mosier
4. Kortney Ryan Ziegler
You can't say trans activist without mentioning the name, Kortney Ryan Ziegler. He writes the script for advocacy and awareness of trans masculine visibility. An award winning visual artist, film maker, writer, blogger, there isn't a medium he doesn't or hasn't influenced. If you are thankful that the awareness of trans men of color has improved over the past few years, you'd do best to start by looking at the work of this man.
Growing up in the streets of Compton, raised by a single mother, he was as so many young black children, bombarded by images in the media that depicted his image as less than. It set the stage for a man that will be apart of changing that distorted view of humanity.
He started by earning a PhD at Northwestern University, where he began his transition. In 2008 he created one of the most outstanding works for, and about trans men of color 'STILL BLACK: A Portrait of a Black Trans Man, exploring the life of an FtM transitioning in the African American community.
In 2013 Ziegler launched Trans*H4ck, a organizational hub for trans people collaborating on technical projects. Through his organizations, developers, programmers, designers, entrepreneurs, and community members come together to brainstorm new ideas, and create technological advanced digital tools to better the trans community. He continues as award winning writer, and blogger on issues facing trans men of color, and uniting all the trans community through his efforts.
"I think my identity has afforded me a different way to approach film because I want to see people who share similar life experience as me on the big screen. This urge is what pushes me and has proven to be the most invaluable aspect of my career."---Kortney Ryan Ziegler
11.Benjamin Melzer
Men's Health Magazine began a competition for the cover in several countries. In the early part of 2016, it would be Benjamin Melzer, who landed the coveted title in European's Men's Health Edition. He quickly became a fitness model throughout Europe.
The German native began transitioning at 18. Two years later he asked his mother to rename him, as he believed in the parents choice. She named him Benjamin.
Being recognized by the magazine he read for years, it lead him to become and advocate for other transgender people. He would join Jake Graf, and other well known European trans activist in the viral video 'What Trans Looks Like: Transgender Men & Women Share Stories'. With this year's success his modeling career continues to grow. He joins fellow Dutch trans model Loiza Lamers in a recent ad for Italian label 'Diesel', as a fashion model.
"I really hope that I can change attitudes. When you are born this way, you have no choice. So many people are hiding who they truly are, so I really wanted to give the trans community visibility. Show that we're just normal people."---Benjamin Melzer
15. Jazz Jennings
With permanent spot on TMP's most influential list for the past five years, she remains the trans community's lil favorite mermaid. Thou, little Jazz is now growing up before all our eyes, on TLC's hit reality show, 'I Am Jazz," she remains that lil girl that gives hope to so many, young and old.
Now a veteran spokesperson, and advocate within the community, she's now a famous television personality. Yet, America is reminded watching her show, that she is just another girl with teenager troubles. The show is truly an inspiring example of a families love, and togetherness. From her big sis with the advice, to her protective twin brothers. The show is a heartwarming look at what supportive love in a family can do, to rise above any obstacle.
At six years old, Jennings and her family began appearing on television to speak about the challenges of growing up transgender. After founding Trans Kids Purple Rainbow Foundation, connecting trans kids and parents from around the world, she began advocating, and writing on trans issues. Earlier this year she published a memoir, 'Being Jazz: My Life As a Transgender Teenager.' Most recentlyMicrosoft (a trans inclusive corporation), created a holiday adfeaturing the now well known teen activist, along with a variety of artist, activist, and entrepreneurs using Microsoft Surface Studio to express their message of peace, love and inclusion.
"I don't focus too much on politics. I'm busy with school, and being a kid. But my mom always says she's a one issue voter. All she cares about is if they're going to support the lgbTQ community or not."---Jazz Jennings
THE ENTERTAINERS
5. Jen Richards
As the co-founder and director of Trans 100, and the creator of 'We Happy Trans', a website dedicating to celebrating positive transgender experiences that has received national media attention, she is by far one of the more well known, and respected advocates. Yet, her passion and work is in film, which also in many ways is an continued, extension of her advocacy work for trans people.
As a writer, producer, and actress her work includes the critical acclaimed 'Her Story', recently this year nominated for an Emmy. The web series, in it's first season is considered one of the most important pieces of media created by, with and for transgender women. The series centers around a lesser discussed topic in media, trans women and relationships. It is a vital important work to relay through media, the relationship, and desire for love that trans women experience
as other women do.
With the commercial success of Netflix's 'Transparent', and 'The Danish Girl', films involving transgender people are in the mainstream media consciousness. Sadly, most of the stories are told, written, and portrayed by cis-gender actors. When 'Her Story' premiered, it broke through many of those barriers that several in the community felt needed to be. A trans story, about trans people, portrayed by trans people.
"My hope is that 'Her Story' inspires other trans creators to keep telling their stories, and keep telling them better and more insistently, and that it gets some people inside Hollywood to look for stories in places they haven't before." ---Jen Richards
8. Angelica Ross
Another member, and fellow co-star of the Emmy nominated series 'Her Story', is Angelica Ross. Also, another actress/singer who maybe known more for their outstanding advocacy, and contributions to trans society. This past year, Miss Ross accepted the HRC visibility award. HRC has made efforts in the recent year, to bridge the rift with the trans community. As a trans woman of color, a business woman who transformed her life from showgirl to the CEO of Miss Ross Inc., and Trans Social Enterprise, this award was long overdue for the work Angelica Ross has done on behalf of the lgbT community.
Angelica left home at 17 to join the Navy, and after a near death experience in Japan, she gain the purpose to live her true authentic life. By 19 she was well into transitioning, and began modeling in stealth mode. She began turning down work that was too stressful, and dysphoric for her. She went on to other careers; a showgirl, real estate, beauty school, until founding Trans Tech Enterprise, a training and apprenticeship academy for transgender people with technological skills.
Miss Ross, is forever growing as an artist, actress, advocate, and continues to inspire all trans people, but especially trans women of color who have limited resources, to improve our lives.
"I knew members of my community could be their own saviors, they only needed the opportunity. My mission is to prove that everyone has the right to peruse their dreams." ---Angelica Ross
12. Laverne Cox
Actress, advocate, artist, and a champion to trans people around the globe. Laverne Cox has done more to change the minds of the entertainment business than any has done before her. Yet, her humility, and love for the trans community would have her to be the first to say, she stands on the shoulders of giants.
Cox, remains best known for her role as Sophia, in the hit Netflix series, 'Orange is the New Black'. A series, a role, and actress that changed the game, but this year we saw Lavern Cox expand her repertoire as spokesperson in the media for the trans community, and as an actress. With several television projects this year, the most notable was as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, in a t.v. remake of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do The Time Warp Again'. She is also well underway in a new project filming for a release in 2017, 'The Freak', playing the role of Felica.
Laverne Cox has experienced many first, but one of the biggest, and historical, in 2016 was being the latest celebrity, and the first trans woman to be featured in wax, at Madame Tussaud's. She continues to be a leading trailblazer, and outspoken advocate for trans rights, and trans people of color. In May, Cox was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The New School, in New York City, for her progressive work in the fight for gender identity.
"Believing you are unworthy of love and belonging, that who you are authentically is a sin or is wrong, is deadly. Who you are is beautiful, and amazing!" ---Laverne Cox
13. Jake Graf
Growing up trans in London, Jake Graf found escape in the world of imagination. This imagination grew, and lead him into a career in film. His first film as writer, director, and producer in X-Why, landed him several awards for short films, including being featured in the prestigious Five Films for Freedom project with the British Film Council.
In 2015, his hit short film 'Brace', earned him international fame, and became a gueer film festival favorite, gaining him the title of the Cary Grant of trans actors. Earlier this year he entered the role as advocate for trans people, and especially trans men, by creating the viral video for trans day of visibilitywith several other well known European trans personalities.
He continues to make headlines, with partner, and British Army Captain Heather Winterbourne, as they were named UK's Pride Power List, as lgbT mover's and shakers to know. They are also well recognized as the trans power couple of Great Britain.
"Get yourself out there and make that difference, as trans men are finally starting to emerge from all walks of life. It is exciting to be able to stand proud and hopefully show the next generation that it is possible to be trans, and happy."---Jake Graf
16. Rhys Ernst & Zackary Drucker
We can't mention trans power couples without mentioning one of the most long lasting, and influential trans collaborative team in America, the entertainment business, and in art: Rhys Ernst, and Zackary Drucker.
The collaborative team moved from New York to Los Angeles, and both begun transition together at 25. They burst onto the media scene with their highly discussed, and award winning book, 'Relationship', based on the photographic series that premiered in 2014 at the Whitney Biennial. It documented their six year relationship, and transitions together.
While Zackary Drucker became a fixture on the hit series 'I Am Cait', both remained an powerful, influential collaborative team in the media. As producers, and Emmy winners of the hit Netflix series 'Transparent', they pushed, and continue to influence Hollywood as a whole, to include trans artistic expressions in film.
"Our ethos is one of uncompromised representation. The intersection of trans representation, with the fight for trans equality is our guiding principle, and we're at the beginning of a long game that's linked to a timely, and larger conversation about diversity in media, and in labor. If trans stories are important for all people, exemplifying a journey to live authentically, then trans employment in an industry like Hollywood becomes a symbol of possibility for anyone who's been historically excluded."---Rhys Ernst and Zackary Drucker
19. Lucas Charlie Rose
Lucas Charlie Rose, is a well known You Tube Vlogger and musician , chronicling his transition, and love of hip hop. A trans-masuline hip hop artist that is not only reshaping the next genderation of hip hop, but forging together those voices in music often over looked. Born in Paris, he later earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Film production from Concordia University's Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. He's been featured over the past year in several lgbtq media outlets such as: FTM Magazine, Trans-Cafe, Out Front Online, and Portugal's LGBThoje.
Last year, with he collaborated with FTM Magazine, and release the trans favorite song 'This is What Trans Looks Like.' Earlier this year he raised eyebrows with the ingenious, first ever, collaboration CD, of several trans-only hip-hop artist such as; Sidney Chase, Nicki Andro, Neeko Freeman, Jiji Parker, King Giselle, and many more. The first ever such project, that spoke volumes to the unity of the trans hip-hop music scene.
He made headlines also this year in a recreated Calvin Klein ad to promote trans awareness of trans people of color who don't feel represented by the popular brand. He also has become an advocate, who challenges the status quo of hip hop to acknowledge the contributions of trans people. He currently is playing various venues in the north east.
"Hip hop in itself is revolutionary, and if anybody belongs in hip hop it's us: black trans people."---Lucas Charlie Rose
THE TREND SETTERS
10.Laith Ashley
Ok ladies, and some of you guys, I hear ya, but he is happily taken by co-star, and fellow model bombshell Arisce Wanzer. The couple, along with the rest of the full cast of trans models, are heating up television across the country, with Oxygen's new hit series, 'Strut'. The series, which has Whoopi Goldberg as executive producer says, "People tend to focus on the stereotype instead of the person. This is a unique opportunity to spend time with real people who are struggling with the same challenges we all face as we make our way through the world."
By now if you are trans, and you haven't heard of Laith Ashley,
then where are you hiding child? While there has been a slew of trans masculine representation this year, it is without a doubt the presence of Laith Ashley on national television that has America realizing, if they hadn't already, that the trans man has arrived.
The 26 year old started transition less than 3 years ago, and immediately appeared in a Barney's ad, along with several well known trans personalities. The New York native quickly became a favorite to follow on social media, (and in my best RuPaul 'You Better Work' voice), his modeling career took off. He has been featured in shows for New York Fashion Week for Adrian Alicea, and Gypsy Sport. He also has posed for Calvin Klein.
Laith's presence, and the creation of the show Strut, comes amid a call to the modeling industry for more representation of the large number of trans models working, who are denied those coveted go sees gigs with national brands. Though many in our community see this as one field that has a great deal of trans representation, those trans models are often limited to the work they receive. While our community knows of them, few have broken the barrier into the mainstream, even fewer of those are men, which makes Laith's role in this, pivotal for trans masculine representation.
"I want to show everyone that yes I am trans, but its not all that I am. The same goes for all trans people. Everyone's transition is their own; my story, my transition, my identity is my own. Everyone's identity, trans or not, is their own. Every trans person does not feel that they were trans from a young age, every trans does not feel they were born into the wrong body. It does not however, invalidate their feeling or their journey. With Cait for example, people say, 'I'm not going to call her Caitlyn, I'll call her Bruce.' To me, that's the most disrespectful thing you can do." ---Laith Ashley
17. Amiyah Scott
One of trans society's most talked about starlet's is now a star in her own right. In fact the very show that will move her into the stratosphere not seen by any trans actress thus far, is called 'Star'. Amiyah Scott is a model, reality tv personality, and has been an aspiring actress that held out for a role that gave her respect. As we know, good things come to those who wait, and the biggest role to date for a trans actress came her way.
What makes this show historic for a trans actress, is that it's produced by award winning producer Lee Daniels, the creator of the hit series 'Empire' which has made mega stars of Taraji Henson, and includes Terrance Howard, and Gabourey Sidibe, both Academy Award Nominees. He also was the Producer of 'Monster's Ball', the film that would place Hallie Berry as the first black woman to win an Oscar in a leading actress role, ever.
Before she landed her recent dream job, Scott worked as a make-up artist, and beauty consultant in Atlanta GA. It was there she would meet, and audition for that big break. News broke earlier in the year that she would be a cast member on the Atlanta Housewives franchise, on Bravo. It has been reported that the producers of the show, wanted a spectacle; a bitchy trans woman. After one cameo, Scott never returned.
As trans people, we are forever fighting to be treated, and represented with the dignity we deserve. Like many trans actors, and people around the world, Scott refuses to degrade herself, and in the process has become an advocate for trans actors, and actresses who are trying to change how Hollywood views us, represent, and depict us.
"I'm in my twenties, and when this opportunity was BROUGHT to me, it was no quarantees, and I was cool with that, but I wasn't going to exploit myself or act out of character for it...I honestly saw a chance to help change the perspective of MY community, but I wanted to maintain my dignity. WE ARE HERE AND WE DEMAND RESPECT." ---Amiyah Scott
18. Kris Hayashi
Last year Kris Hayashi took over as Executive Director at Transgender Law Center, one of the largest organizations in the country advancing the rights of transgender, and gender non-conforming people. The Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity, or expression. Can an advocate be a trend setter? It has under Kris Hayashi.
This year Levi Strauss & Co., named him one of their Pioneers in Justice 2020: chosen leaders of next generation social justice. As a transgender person of color, Hayashi, has over 20 years of social justice on behalf of transgender, and non-conforming people. Under his direction, Transgender Law Center stands poised along other large lgbtq organizations to combat discrimination.
At 23, Kris worked with (YUCA), Youth United for Community Action in California. YUCA, is a grassroots organization, ran by young people of color as a safe space to empower themselves, and work on environmental, and social issues. He is inspiring a new generation of trans advocates to be heard.
This year many advocates followed his moves, as he stood firm against Trump's (Not My President), running mate, Mike Pence. In Sept., Transgender Law Center joined MALDEF, in filing a lawsuit, on behalf of a 31 year old trans man in Marion County Indiana, against Mike Pence, Attorney General of Indiana, and the Clerk of Court of Marion County.
The plaintiff, was born in Mexico but came to the U.S., at age 6, and has since been granted asylum in the Hoosier State. While all his official documentation, and identification lists him as male, he is currently stuck with his original birth name because of a 2010 Indiana law that requires American citizenship for a name change.
"The vice-presidential nominee, and governor of Indiana endorses a law that's making life dangerous for LGBT people in his state. It must be overturned," said Kris Hayashi.
"There should be many, many spokespersons, people of color, transgender men, gender-nonconforming people, who really raise up the day-to-day realities for the majority of the transgender community. The larger the picture of our community, the stronger it is."---Kris Hayashi
A LIVING LEGEND
20. KYLAR BROADUS
Kylar Broadus is by far one of the leading activist today, that has been fighting in the trenches for years to advance transgender rights.
As Senior public policy counsel with the National LGBTQ Task Force, and the director of the organization's Transgender Civil Rights Project. In 2012, he made history as the first openly transgender p erson to testify before the U.S. Senate, speaking in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
In 2010, he founded the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), the only national civil rights organization dedicated to the needs of trans people of color. Through this organization, he has gathered advocates from across the nation, and over the years have brought the attention, of the needs, and problems facing trans people of color. It is without question, the efforts of TPOCC, that the visibility of trans people of various colors, is greater now than ever before.
He has published countless articles, and chapters in publications: 'Bodies Trans Selves; A Resource for the Transgender Community', 'Transgender Family Law: A Guide to Effective Advocacy', and the Evolution of Employment Discrimination Protection for Transgender People," the later being one of the influences of ENDA.
Recipient of the National LGBTQ Task Force's 'Sue J. Hyde' Award, for Longevity in the Movement, and the Pioneer Award, at the TransFaith in Color Conference. One of the first trans people to be recognized in the annual OUT 100 list, in 2013.
"One of the major obstacles to overcoming this hate, and violence would be economic stability and empowerment of the trans community. Trans people, particularly communities of color, make less than $10,000 per year if employed, according to "injustice at Every Turn." We know that joblessness leads to homelessness, poor health care and being vulnerable on the streets. We are not unemployed because we are lazy, unskilled, unintelligent, or don't want to work. It is because society does not deem us worthy of even having a job." ---Kylar Broadus
Thank you Friends of TMP, for the 967 votes that were cast throughout this blog, and our social media pages. Many have tried imitating our list, or out right copied it, but again as we will see over the next few weeks, with disastrous results. They will say, as we do, it's our readers choice, let the apples fall where they may. That makes me even more proud of our Friends of TMP. TMP is about unity within our community. Sharing the common ground of being Trans, and just like our friends of TMP, your votes reflect that diversity in our community. Keep shining, keep living your truth, and always know, Trans Is Beautiful!
REMEMBERING OUR LOST ANGELS We dedicate, and remember our 1,700 Kings & Queens who have lost their lives in the battle to live their authentic life. Each of these outstanding trans role models, along with every trans person that are on a quest to live life as their truest self, salute and honor you. We say thank you for the light that you shown to the world when you were here, and igniting the flame of determination that will be carried in the hearts of every trans person on earth. We will forever speak your name, and let it not be in vain.
"Dysphoria is something I've never not had. Growing up, I hated looking in a mirror due to it being disassociated from my reflection, and my body...still don't. There is still utter disgust at seeing my body in a mirror, and panic when out, when I have to use a toilet, and paranoia that they can tell I'm binding."
This is welcome news to the growing number of trans kids with supportive families, that are fortunate to live their authentic selves. According to recent Federal data by the Williams Institute, nearly 1.4 million Americans openly identify as transgender. The data estimates that there are 150,000 trans youth between the ages of 13-17 years of age. Unfortunately there is not an official count of younger trans kids for various reasons. Primarily due to the fact, Pediatricians generally do not ask patients about their gender identity, and if they do, they do not usually report findings in a national health registry.
"He had a genuinely good heart, and he had struggled with his problems, but he always made sure that he was there for other people," said a friend.
Hake is the third transgender person reported killed in the United States so far in 2017. Even though the motive that led to the death of Sean Hake has not been determined by SLED, he remains a trans person killed.
"This has demonstrated how low the cost of breaking the law is for employers," the lawyer said, referring to the amount of compensation. "This is why the current job discrimination situation is so grim."
There are many moments in Trans history that will be talked about for genderations to come. Moments like Marsha P. Johnson's throwing of the first brick into the window of the Stonewall bar that started a revolution, the first publicly written SRS story about Christine Jorgensen, the day the DSM no longer classified transgender as a mental illness, and the more appropriate renaming of 'Gender Identity Disorder' with 'Gender Dysphoria'. We will remember the the first President of The United States to validate a people long ignored, and addressed our issues that led to the ban on transgender personnel serving openly in the US military. Another historical moment we will never forget is the day one of our own stood before billions around the globe and said, "My name is Sarah McBride, and I'm a proud Transgender American." 
Sarah McBride was born in Wilmington, Delaware. From early on she had a passion for political life. As a student of American University she worked on Gov. Jack Markell's 2008 campaign, and late Attorney General Beau Biden's (son of V.P. Joe Biden) 2010 campaign. She then went on to become the student body President at American University. Later she gained national attention by coming out as transgender in the university's student paper, 'The Eagle'. She received support from both the Bidens, which lead to an internship at the White House in 2012. With that internship, she made history as the first openly transgender woman to work at the White House in any capacity.
After years of Philippine political figures ridiculing lgbT people, in a country where the vast majority are Catholic, it was a notable achievement to say the least. Especially considering Roman bested her closest opponent for the congressional district with 62% of the vote, a landslide. 
Though she did not run a campaign specifically on lgbt issues, she is a champion for all, in a country without any openly lgbt politicians. Throughout a country where the religious majority plays a powerful role, lgbT rights remain a huge priority for Roman, who said during the campaign that her family always remained supportive of her. Her father advised her to remain confidant, despite being bullied for her gender identity in school.
As a graduate of the University of Manitoba, he has worked as a lawyer in private practice, commercial, and civil law. He co-chaired the Canadian Bar Association's sexual orientation, and gender identity conference from 2012-2014. 
On February 12th 2016, McKenzie was sworn in, in historic fashion, live streamed throughout the country. He says he feels a responsibility to send a message that; "Transgender people can be anything they want to be, and the only barriers are ourselves."
Now began the journey that would lead the Mathis family to make a decision to be apart of a radical social experiment. The choice to listen to the heartache of your child, or follow the strict gender social constructs their daughter seemed destined to collide with. A collision course with their local school district placed Coy in the center of the transgender movement as our youngest icon. If the transgender movement is the final frontier for lgbT, then our trans youth represent its farthest outpost.
The debate that started in this sleepy town grew, in and out of court, and all the way to the Supreme Court. It created a media storm, and social media frenzy. The ACLU, and the entire trans community rallied behind Gavin, creating a new slogan,'I Stand With Gavin'. That slogan, would be later adapted for all trans people in the struggle to use the restroom, and became 'I'll stand With You.'
This case placed a reluctant teen into the national spotlight, and led the bathroom debates to the Supreme Court. It has also made an advocate of young Gavin Grimm.
Mosier has won several awards in competing, and has become an advocate for trans athletes founding, 'Transathlete.com'; a resource for students, athletes, coaches, and administrators to find information about trans inclusion in athletics at various levels of play. He is also the executive director of 'GO! Athletes', a non-profit safe place for former lgbTQ athletes.
Being recognized by the magazine he read for years, it lead him to become and advocate for other transgender people. He would join Jake Graf, and other well known European trans activist in the viral video 'What Trans Looks Like: Transgender Men & Women Share Stories'. With this year's success his modeling career continues to grow. He joins fellow Dutch trans model Loiza Lamers in a recent ad for Italian label 'Diesel', as a fashion model.
Now a veteran spokesperson, and advocate within the community, she's now a famous television personality. Yet, America is reminded watching her show, that she is just another girl with teenager troubles. The show is truly an inspiring example of a families love, and togetherness. From her big sis with the advice, to her protective twin brothers. The show is a heartwarming look at what supportive love in a family can do, to rise above any obstacle.
At six years old, Jennings and her family began appearing on television to speak about the challenges of growing up transgender. After founding Trans Kids Purple Rainbow Foundation, connecting trans kids and parents from around the world, she began advocating, and writing on trans issues. Earlier this year she published a memoir, 'Being Jazz: My Life As a Transgender Teenager.' Most recently Microsoft (a trans inclusive corporation), created a holiday ad featuring the now well known teen activist, along with a variety of artist, activist, and entrepreneurs using Microsoft Surface Studio to express their message of peace, love and inclusion.
Another member, and fellow co-star of the Emmy nominated series 'Her Story', is Angelica Ross. Also, another actress/singer who maybe known more for their outstanding advocacy, and contributions to trans society. This past year, Miss Ross accepted the HRC visibility award. HRC has made efforts in the recent year, to bridge the rift with the trans community. As a trans woman of color, a business woman who transformed her life from showgirl to the CEO of Miss Ross Inc., and Trans Social Enterprise, this award was long overdue for the work Angelica Ross has done on behalf of the lgbT community. 
Angelica left home at 17 to join the Navy, and after a near death experience in Japan, she gain the purpose to live her true authentic life. By 19 she was well into transitioning, and began modeling in stealth mode. She began turning down work that was too stressful, and dysphoric for her. She went on to other careers; a showgirl, real estate, beauty school, until founding Trans Tech Enterprise, a training and apprenticeship academy for transgender people with technological skills.
Laverne Cox has experienced many first, but one of the biggest, and historical, in 2016 was being the latest celebrity, and the first trans woman to be featured in wax, at Madame Tussaud's. She continues to be a leading trailblazer, and outspoken advocate for trans rights, and trans people of color. In May, Cox was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The New School, in New York City, for her progressive work in the fight for gender identity.
In 2015, his hit short film 'Brace', earned him international fame, and became a gueer film festival favorite, gaining him the title of the Cary Grant of trans actors. Earlier this year he entered the role as advocate for trans people, and especially trans men, by creating the viral video for trans day of visibility with several other well known European trans personalities. 
He continues to make headlines, with partner, and British Army Captain Heather Winterbourne, as they were named UK's Pride Power List, as lgbT mover's and shakers to know. They are also well recognized as the trans power couple of Great Britain.
The collaborative team moved from New York to Los Angeles, and both begun transition together at 25. They burst onto the media scene with their highly discussed, and award winning book, 'Relationship', based on the photographic series that premiered in 2014 at the Whitney Biennial. It documented their six year relationship, and transitions together.
"Our ethos is one of uncompromised representation. The intersection of trans representation, with the fight for trans equality is our guiding principle, and we're at the beginning of a long game that's linked to a timely, and larger conversation about diversity in media, and in labor. If trans stories are important for all people, exemplifying a journey to live authentically, then trans employment in an industry like Hollywood becomes a symbol of possibility for anyone who's been historically excluded."---Rhys Ernst and Zackary Drucker
Last year, with he collaborated with FTM Magazine, and release the trans favorite song 'This is What Trans Looks Like.' Earlier this year he raised eyebrows with the ingenious, first ever, collaboration CD, of several trans-only hip-hop artist such as; Sidney Chase, Nicki Andro, Neeko Freeman, Jiji Parker, King Giselle, and many more. The first ever such project, that spoke volumes to the unity of the trans hip-hop music scene.
He made headlines also this year in a recreated Calvin Klein ad to promote trans awareness of trans people of color who don't feel represented by the popular brand. He also has become an advocate, who challenges the status quo of hip hop to acknowledge the contributions of trans people. He currently is playing various venues in the north east.
By now if you are trans, and you haven't heard of Laith Ashley,
Laith's presence, and the creation of the show Strut, comes amid a call to the modeling industry for more representation of the large number of trans models working, who are denied those coveted go sees gigs with national brands. Though many in our community see this as one field that has a great deal of trans representation, those trans models are often limited to the work they receive. While our community knows of them, few have broken the barrier into the mainstream, even fewer of those are men, which makes Laith's role in this, pivotal for trans masculine representation.
What makes this show historic for a trans actress, is that it's produced by award winning producer Lee Daniels, the creator of the hit series 'Empire' which has made mega stars of Taraji Henson, and includes Terrance Howard, and Gabourey Sidibe, both Academy Award Nominees. He also was the Producer of 'Monster's Ball', the film that would place Hallie Berry as the first black woman to win an Oscar in a leading actress role, ever.
Before she landed her recent dream job, Scott worked as a make-up artist, and beauty consultant in Atlanta GA. It was there she would meet, and audition for that big break. News broke earlier in the year that she would be a cast member on the Atlanta Housewives franchise, on Bravo. It has been reported that the producers of the show, wanted a spectacle; a bitchy trans woman. After one cameo, Scott never returned.
This year many advocates followed his moves, as he stood firm against Trump's (Not My President), running mate, Mike Pence. In Sept., Transgender Law Center joined MALDEF, in filing a lawsuit, on behalf of a 31 year old trans man in Marion County Indiana, against Mike Pence, Attorney General of Indiana, and the Clerk of Court of Marion County.
In 2010, he founded the Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), the only national civil rights organization dedicated to the needs of trans people of color. Through this organization, he has gathered advocates from across the nation, and over the years have brought the attention, of the needs, and problems facing trans people of color. It is without question, the efforts of TPOCC, that the visibility of trans people of various colors, is greater now than ever before.
