Equality Florida Voices For Change Convening Ushering In “Equality Florida: TRANSEQUALITY”
(Orlando, FL) America has this weird and pervasive narrative that people from significantly disadvantaged backgrounds must somehow pull themselves up by the bootstraps and with drive and determination alone, fight their way into a life of economic stability and “success”. The concept of the “American Dream” is patently false and criminally misleading. The majority of people we consider the most successful came from old money or started with points of privilege or legacy that created an uneven playing field that they benefitted from. They very well may have worked hard, but it wasn’t just tenacity that got them where they are. The true way that most of us find our footing is from depending on each other and when one of us makes it through a door or to a table, we reach back and bring our people with us. In the village, in community, there is no room for gate-keeping- only collaboration and sharing what we know.
In mid-August, Equality Florida hosted the 2nd Annual Voices for Change Convening in Orlando, FL led by Angelique Godwin, their Director of Transgender Equality. The foundation of the Voices for Change Convening brought key Trans leaders from throughout the state together to impart “a deep understanding of strategies and tools necessary to overcome the persistent challenges faced by the Transgender community. These strategies and tools must be developed by the community itself…. creating a space to cultivate innovative and impactful solutions to combat the anti-Trans violence and rhetoric” both the state and the country are currently facing. The convening builds off of pillars that were established the year prior and through careful work and collaboration throughout the year: Community Education, Resource and Information Sharing, Healthcare, Funding and Housing. Angelique and her team were expanding and cultivating the village.
Milwaukee Mourns Amyri Dior, 23
The month of February has been marked with an unspeakable amount of violence against the Trans community. Yet another individual of the Trans-feminine experience has been found murdered. Twenty-three year old Amyri Dior was discovered around 12:30 a.m. near 95th and Brown Deer Rd. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 21st. She had suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Her family describes her as joyful and always showing up in her full authenticity. MPD has not released further information about the shooting or identified a suspect. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360. Those who wish to remain anonymous can provide tips through Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or by using the P3 Tips mobile app.
As Politicians Debate Definitions, Trans Community Members Continue to Die; Already Hurting Trans Community Rocked by Deaths of Tahiry Broom & Sam Nordquist
Since Day 1 of the Trump Administration, the Trans community has been hit over and over again with vicious Executive Orders that challenge everything from their right to serve in the military, to ability to receive life-saving care, to questioning their very existence. While organizations and Attorney Generals from across the nation bring the legality and constitutionality of these actions to Federal Justices for intervention, the consequences of the hateful rhetoric spewing from our highest offices is parroted by the masses and puts the lives of every single Trans community member in more and more danger every day. This week alone, the murders of both Tahiry Broom and Sam Nordquist hit the news and an already hurting community.