Invisible to many, the African American trans-woman and man have a place in Black history month as well. Unfortunately, we have not been openly celebrated in the heritage and contributions of humanity. A survey recently released by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality reported that transgender people of color who are four times more likely to live in extreme poverty, and ninety percent of the respondents stated being harassed, mistreated, discriminated against on the job or hid who they are to avoid such encounters. Despite this disparaging information people of color still rise to the occasion to change the course of history.
One of the founding members of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, Monica Roberts also known as the Trans Griot, founded a group for African American transgender persons to discuss issues of concern called Transsistahs – Transbrothas in 2004. She is the third African American person to be granted the Trinity Award, which is the second highest meritorious service award in 2006. Living up to her mission to advocate and educate, Ms. Roberts celebrates African American model Tracy Africa Norman. Before Lea T, Tracy Africa was a pioneering trans-woman in the industry that can be associated with Clairol, Ultra Sheen and Avon cosmetics.
African American transgender people have also been movers and shakers in the political arena. Dr. Marissa Richardson is the first ‘out’ African American trans-woman elected to office in Tennessee as the Davidson County Democratic Committeewoman in 2008. Her work led her to be honored with the Trinity Award in 2002. Sandy Rawls, the Executive Director for Trans United located in Baltimore, like Dr. Richardson comes from a long line of activists, and currently forges the fight for equality and eradication of discrimination in Baltimore, Maryland. Trans United seeks to improve the quality of life and health of transgender people.
Black Transmen is also making strides to enhance our condition. Mr. Kylar Broadus, the founder of Trans People of Color Coalition, and board member of the National Black Justice Coalition has been an advocate for the transgender community as well. His organization provides advocacy and education; promoting empowerment for trans-people of color. Mr. Kylar Broadus is also a lawyer who serves as a professor at Lincoln University in Missouri.
An upcoming event this spring, history in the making; the first annual Black Transmen Empowerment Retreat Conference and Dinner in Dallas, Texas from March 29 – April 1, 2012. The conference is free of charge to those registered and family friendly. Mr. Carter Brown has organized over a thousand Transmen of color via Black Transmen, Inc. a national non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to make sure that all female to male persons, with a focus on men of color, are acknowledged and provided equal access and protection under the law to contribute to a productive society. Speaking at the conference will be Mr. Louis Mitchell. He is the first ‘out’ transgender-identified board member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and he is also the co-founder of Recovering the Promise Ministries. Kortney Ziegler, another African American trans-pioneer, featured Mr. Mitchell and other people of Color in his outstanding documentary Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen. Mr. Alexander John Goodrum founder of TGNet Arizona work continues to be carried on by SAGA. Willmer “Little Ax” M. Broadax a gospel singer who was discovered to be assigned female at birth at the time of death in 1994, was born in 1916. He and many others have led the path. Let’s keep the dream alive.
For more information about the Black Transmen Conference please call 443-814-0950 or visit http://retreat.blacktransmen.org/
