Living Stronger - Our Stories

The Trans Justice Summit, a one-of-a-kind weekend leadership summit, has a huge variety of trainings and workshops to empower our community and build the movement for Trans Justice in Oregon.  Take a look at some of what we have lined up, and don’t miss your chance to be a part of sessions discussing trans friendly skills and services and to connect with the trans community and allies.  The Summit will also feature exciting lunch caucuses, including “Language Politics and Gender Theory 101” and “How to be a Great Trans Ally.” 

Kylar was the keynote speaker last weekend, but here's a look at the schedule. 

Trans Justice Summit, Portland, Oregon

The following videos share cultural and ethnic aspects of the LGBT experience. The Pacific West Coast communities are invested in justice for all. These are a few examples.

What's your story?

What about Black LGBT Lawyers

Founded in 1925, the National Bar Association (NBA) is the nation's oldest and largest association of African-American lawyers and judges. The organization’s constitution states that its objective is to “promote legislation that will improve the economic condition of all American citizens regardless of race, sex, or creed.” Despite its mission to “protect civil and political rights of the citizens and the residents of the United States,” the National Bar Association overwhelmingly defeated a measure that would include LGBT-specific nondiscrimination language in its constitution in a vote of 36-120.

But has the NBA turned it's back on Black LGBT lawyers? Kimberly McLeod, at EBONY.com,  shares the stories of LGBT lawyers, including Kylar Broadus,  and their allies in this fight for equality.

"During the first quarter of the 20th century, twelve African-American pioneers with a mutual interest in, and dedication to justice and the civil rights of all, helped structure the struggle of the African-American race in America." (From NBA Perspective)

Justice for all means just that, all? So what happened?

Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen

STILL BLACK: A Portrait of Black Transmen is brought to life by the stories of six thoughtful, eloquent and diverse transmen. Preachers, teachers, students and activists educate us simply by making their presence known. Each man brings a colorful and complex richness as he describes his relationship to himself, as well as others in his life — the cadence of his voice keeping in rhythm with how the speaker displays himself to the camera. ...

"STILL BLACK: A Portrait of Black Transmen more than entertains, it gives the LGBT community an opportunity to learn about itself."

Democratic National Convention 2012

I was honored to be a delegate this year to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. I was one of 13 out transgender delegates. I attended the 2000 convention where there was only one official transgender delegate. While there is always room for improvement, this was movement. Until the rules for delegate selection where changed, it was hard for transgender Americans to become delegates. It is important for several reasons but mainly because this year was the first year that the party platform included "gender identity" and marriage equality which made the Democratic platform the most inclusive of any of the parties. Secondly, the hope is that more people are educated about transgender people. And, thirdly, that more transgender people participate in the process.

President Obama has been the only United States President that has gone on record in support of inclusion for transgender people even before he took the oath of office almost four years ago. The POTUS' inclusive lens has been amazing. I've visited the White House and worked on several issues with federal agencies. This is the first time these organizations have been inclusive of ALL people.  I think it's important for an administration to look like the people it serves. If it doesn't, then how can it adequately represent us.