This LGBTQIA2S+ History Month, I want to highlight an individual who has made an impact in my community, as well as in my life. J Mase III is a poet, educator, and advocate. He has left an indelible mark on the Trans and Queer community, challenging norms and amplifying Black and Brown folks.
Images courtesy of J Mase III
J Mase III captures various forms of artistic expression, from poetry to photography, capturing the essence of his lived experiences and the stories of those who often go unheard. In his poetry, he delves into themes of identity, gender, race, and Queerness. His words create a powerful and introspective journey, inviting readers and listeners to explore their own perspectives and challenge societal constructs. J Mase III has used his platforms to educate about the experiences and struggles of the Trans community, specifically Black and Brown Trans folks. Through workshops, performances, and public speaking engagements, he has fostered conversations that promote understanding, empathy, and acceptance. He is the author of White Folks Be Trippin’: An Ethnography Through Poetry & Prose. These pieces are inspired by Langston Hughes’s The Ways of White Folks and guide us into accepting what we already know: White Folks Be Trippin’.
As the Co-Director of The Black Trans Prayer Book, an interfaith, multidimensional, artistic, and theological work that collects stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells, and incantations of Black Trans & Non-binary folks, he has highlighted the intersections of race, gender, and faith. In this, a space of healing and connection within the community is prominent. In 2019, when 25 anti-Trans bills had been introduced in the United States, he created the campaign #TransphobiaIsASin. That number has since increased to 593 bills. This campaign is ongoing, especially since anti-Trans rhetoric and its connection to religious violence have not stopped
His book And Then I Got Fired: A Transqueer’s Reflections on Grief, Unemployment & Inappropriate Jokes About Death has helped me navigate being a Black Non-binary Queer person who left a pretty messed up workspace, while I was also navigating my grief and the complexities of life as a Transqueer person. J Mase III provides a unique perspective on resilience and growth.
Back when I was a student at Northern Kentucky University, I had the opportunity to meet with J Mase III. His presence left a profound impact as he shared an immersive experience through poetry and thought leadership. He also led a writing workshop, where he fostered an environment of learning, empathy, and understanding. J Mase III is my Black Trans icon, deserving of so much recognition and admiration. He has inspired me to embrace myself, especially in a world that continues to erase folks like me.
For more information on J Mase III and to purchase his books, visit his website at https://jmaseiii.com
Happy Black Poetry Day! This day means so much to me. As a teenager growing up in a small town in Kentucky, I was given the opportunity to attend the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts back in 2011. I was accepted into the Creative Writing program, where most of my focus was on creating prose and poetry. Many of my influences have been Black poets such as Bianca Lynne Spriggs, Alice Walker, and Frank X Walker. This experience changed how I sought out writing and dug deeper into myself as a poet. I studied under many outstanding Black poets, including Cave Canem fellows Kelly Norman Ellis and Mitchell L.H. Douglas. In my undergraduate studies at Northern Kentucky University, I was part of a small slam poetry group called S.W.E.R.V.E. (Spoken Weapons Engaged to Revolutionize Viewers Everywhere). I led many workshops and community gatherings for Black writers and allies at the university. Still, poetry has been something I use as a tool related to my spiritual practice in Hoodoo and many other avenues in my life. Poetry has always been about liberation, uplifting community, and making just for the sake of making. One of my favorite anthologies is Circe’s Lament: Anthology of Wild Women Poetry, edited by Bianca Lynne Spriggs and Katerina Stoykova-Klemer. There are many other influences on my writing, such as Crystal Wilkinson, Poet Laureate of Kentucky (2021-22) and the award-winning author of Perfect Black. Many of her works have inspired me to lean into my Blackness and be truthful to myself–as a writer and to my community.
Most of my poems have turned into songs (that I hoard in my recordings app on my phone). Sharing this piece called “Gone” is super personal to me. It is a recording of my voice one year before starting testosterone and at two years on testosterone. This piece represents the memories that I hold with me and to remember that being Black and Non-Binary is not about erasing who I am, but recognizing every facet of my life and wholly leaning into myself in that. I hope you enjoy it!
In 1827, the English poet, literary critic, philosopher, and theologian Samuel Taylor Coleridge defined poetry as “the best words in the best order.” He further wrote, “When we write, we string words together like beads, ever mindful of color and shape, the powerful nuances of meaning each word conveys.” As a Black Trans poet in the 21st century, I find Coleridge’s assessment to be spot-on. I would add to his definition that poetry is not merely a collection of best words, but it is also personal. I describe it as a soliloquy in reflection: our needs and desires, our wishes, sorrows, and joys written for posterity. It is an emotional testament to our existence.
Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote that poetry is “the work of a nightingale who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds.” I’ve experienced a darkness so profound, the only thing I could see was the sweet song I longed to birth into the world. At one time, blocked from indulging my various curiosities, I turned to verse to hear my own voice. I found that I thrive when sharing my life experiences with whoever has a receptive ear. Thus is the transformative power of poetry.
In celebration of Black Poetry Day, I encourage all to unleash the symphony of our collective voices–to sing and allow joy to thrive in both the seen and unseen spaces of our existence. Shout(if you must) your experience using your best words in their best order, unlocking your profound wisdom, enabling a journey to self-discovery, and uplifting your community through testimony of how it was, how it is, and how it can be.
Several Black poets have shaped me in my own journey. Langston Hughes was the poet, philosopher, and essayist extraordinaire whose genius shone through in his character Jesse B. Semple. Zora Neale Hurston, though not primarily a poet, wrote verse after verse on how to attain self-respect when the door has been slammed in your face. She schooled me on how to get that door answered and open. Black poets have always been philosophers. Their need to share wisdoms gleaned from their experiences gives many–including me–the courage to share their own.
I discovered the tenacious Ntozake Shange and knew instantly that it’s okay to embrace my natural self, even when it comes to having “nappy edges” and an attitude just as unkempt. Then I found the rebellious words of Ai Ogawa, a Black poet and educator who won the 1999 National Book Award for Poetry for Vice: New and Selected Poems. Ai talked unashamedly and courageously about rape, not shying away from the dark and controversial stuff of humanity. She was known for her mastery of the dramatic monologue as a poetic form,“I want to take the narrative ‘persona’ poem as far as I can, and I’ve never been one to do things in halves. All the way or nothing. I won’t abandon that desire,” she said. It’s like she wanted to give a voice to the marginalized, impoverished, and abused, just as we do in our work at Trans Empowerment Project.
On this Black Poetry Day, we at Trans Empowerment Project challenge you to channel your inner poet, recognizing that you are seen and appreciated, and that your value is priceless. Take some time to read some poetry. Write or sing some of your own. There is value and empowerment in your words, not only for yourself, but others. We are committed to supporting and championing you to use your voice in order to foster equity, joy, happiness, peace, and love into your life. Moreover, we dare you to do the same for others.
I Am Not Tragically Coloured
(about Zora)
So the Moon shined in April, a half quarter gleam at your backside Zora. He was as dust tracks on your road, caressing you with His natural endowment
for falsetto grace-hope.
You knew that Ol’ Man Moon – He kept you lit when you were scoring the most beautiful Neale Hurston masterpieces.
Well that Ol’ Man Moon steady hides behind, beyond thee like an unseen strata of cumulous clouds.
He’s demure with songs of lust, his wind still yearning your silver-linings and your unkempt starry nights. Like tornadoes piquing in the eye of ecstasy:
He wants you, your barefaced façade like an eclipse of God… You wrote to him, “Tell my horse.”
I laughed that frosted May. Giggled raucously.
The Moon was full with springtime surprise, but no stars in the garden that night? Where lay those subtle orbs of fire?, their blatant sighs in an atmosphere filled with mocking. Must’ve slyly spied swiss upon my mahogany visage, an unwinked eye? Hooded?
I smiled with you Zora; I kneeled beside the subtle of your blasphemy… I smiled poetry.
I winked it actually, my left eye lazy
and my right shining in jest – I steady smile
the prose of questing for an entire humanity
no longer mired in the muck of Jim Crow, no longer as the mule of young virile men.
From terror to triumph I smile (for we are all vital) And you shine Zora. You shine on.
Butterflies and orchids. Half-rainbows, stars at noon. Wine and green blades – Daffodils of yellow make you swoon.
And the chil’ren in sand boxes: Naïveté amazed. Overalls specked – Slides and swings rathering spirits gay. Shall you comfort on benches like chaise lounge rooms? And fall in gardens: Honeysuckle, Azalia, Hyacinth blooms? Special aroma awaits you. (In the gourd vine of redemption.)
Kittens claw seraph wings and dogs paw like loyalty. Eyes of golden green, a hazel teeming with malice. Defense blows in the wind as claws grasp.
A face in moonlit shadow. A voice beckoning
as rain drizzles in the pallor of an invisible orb. Stars ablaze; clouds rampantly gray: a great man dead… (dust tracks blown in the wind of perseverance; in the midst: reparation)
…and her eyes, they laugh, they’re on the silver-lined, for she could never hold a grudge; grudges rot hearts. Plus she’s naïve-smart, loving child at thirty-one. Her eyes be watching God; They’re hungry
Jack Knoxville is the founder and Executive Director of Trans Empowerment Project. In addition to his activism, Jack is also a prolific writer and poet. In celebration of Black Poetry Day, here is a sampling of some of Jack’s work.
I’m too Angry
I’m too angry about my
Lived experiences
You know, The ones that
Get the privileged
Likes on Instagram
For “standing in solidarity with”
My anger,
no longer hidden by desperation, has made me a marked man
and will never get me heard over my Blackness or my Transness
Only discarded like the empty promises transcribed on protest signs
Strewn across empty streets
The posters that these t-shirt collectors put together
For fun,
On a Friday while
Drinking wine and filling their bellies
While I starved
For food
For funds
For friends
For family
For freedom
To BREATHE.
These moments
A movement, carried through the interwebs by tweeting birds
Drown out the sound of sorrow
In the void of isolation while the afflicted wrap themselves in the familiarity of loneliness
After being
tokenized, capitalized on
by slogans on swag
Under this guise of solidarity
These words,
Intentional splatters of ink
Meaningless to anything other than the page
Fall, and flop with a thud
In front of me, at my feet
When they work so hard to keep me out of the room, let alone near the table
My life’s a drag to hear about
To have gone through, to have to heal from
Especially when the hurt won’t stop
Is only valuable when told through other people’s voices
A story that affords me space for the price tag,
Of my soul for their swag,
But when the conference is over, and they go home, I’m the one that’s left with the night terrors of reality while they get to sleep.
[Content Warning: The following content may evoke strong emotions and trigger memories. It aims to shed light on the issues faced by the Two-Spirit, Trans, Intersex, Gender Expansive, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities (2TIGE BIPOC) during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. If you prefer to skip potentially triggering content, please refer to the Tips/Lessons Section Link below.]
Trans Empowerment Project (TEP) stands firm in our unwavering commitment to forge a world that is equitable, where every individual can bask in the joy of simply existing peacefully. We yearn not just to aid you in the pursuit of happiness, but to help you grasp it firmly, embrace it wholeheartedly, and nurture it ceaselessly. It is our unshakeable belief that we are entitled to experience unbridled joy in our day-to-day lives. We demand the fundamental right to exist without the abhorrent attempts at erasure and sabotage hurled at us by those who hold positions of power they don’t deserve. Far too many of us contend with our own internal demons, compelled to battle our own inner self-saboteur. We often have our own self-destructive thoughts and have no need for external forces to compound our pain, to deepen our wounds, or to amplify the struggles we face.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jacquii Cooke, Multimedia Specialist for TEP and former Program Manager of inTRANSitions (TEP’s direct aid program). Through this heartfelt testimonial, I intend to share personal reflections, drawing upon my own experiences of engaging in self-destructive behavior, of staring death in the face, all while desperately crying out for help. I suffered silently. I was (and still am) seeking solace from a world that seems all too eager to turn a blind eye, unwilling to freely give the peace and help we all ultimately need to thrive while striving to live our best lives.
The colloquialism “I can do bad by my damn self,” reverberates in my mind as a relentlessly echoing and sobering truth I heard daily in childhood. My lived experiences align perfectly with that very colloquialism, as witnessing the malevolence I absorbed and inflicted upon myself seeped deep into my soul, molding my anger into a toxic brew of depression. It is said that depression is simply anger turned inward, and I have experienced this truth intimately. Over the last two decades, my experience has followed an agonizing pattern: moments of triumph, followed by descent into darkness, descending further still until things became bearable, and finally, a glimmer of hope that allowed me to label it as good. Yet, against all odds, I stand here today, proudly proclaiming that my rollercoaster of trials and tribulations has settled on the platform of “better.” I am determined to live my best life, defying the odds that once threatened to extinguish my light. I am alive and mentally stable enough to share my story with those within our community, our Trans siblings who bear the weight of their own struggles, and those who stand as allies doing the real work to help others in the community.
Even now, the scars on my left arm vividly mark my first attempt at extinguishing that candle. I felt used, dismissed, discarded, completely alone, and left to wallow in my own self-pity. The burden of loneliness seemed like the straw that would break this camel’s back. I just knew there was no other viable alternative but to call it a day. But I was wrong. And fortunately, that night as I knocked on Death’s door, that door remained closed. After a trip to the emergency room, the stitches on my arm marked the beginning of my journey with mental health facilities, where I hoped to find the support I so urgently needed.
The memories of this unsettlingly haunting choice raised questions for which I didn’t see the answers. It’s an unfortunate set of recollections I have, but what if the answers had been truly visible? Twenty-six years after my first attempt, I wonder: what if there were solutions offered during my first in-patient stay at Lake Shore Mental Health Facility in Knoxville, TN? What if there were organizations like TEP and our inTRANSitions program, offering real resolutions for folks in similar situations instead of band-aid fixes? Today, the answers to these questions have become clear. And I want to share them, along with some positive and inspiring lessons I’ve gleaned over the years, because it does get better.
Back in 1992, there was barely language to define my Trans identity; or rather, there was language, but it was suppressed and cruelly cloaked in a blatant attempt at colonial erasure. LGBTQIA2S+ organizations, inclusive of the most marginalized within the community, were and still are slightly hidden from view. The first advocacy group I joined–the then University of Tennessee GLB Student Union–saw its acronym with important letters missing from what many naysayers now unironically refer to as the “alphabet mafia.” The struggle is real, but the tables are on the way to turning right side up, if gradually. The fight for representation and equity is coming to fruition through the brave (often brazen) visibility of our diverse experiences.
There are now mental health facilities dedicated to helping those of us in crisis. As a direct result of five years of therapy–something I am a vocal proponent of since it has proven a readily available tool in my arsenal of self-discovery and ownership of self-care,–I felt empowered to join Trans Empowerment Project’s dedicated team. The inTRANSitions program in particular has helped me immensely during my evolutionary journey, providing the support and resources needed to live a more fulfilled life. The inTRANSitions program and other organizations’ programs, whose ultimate mission is to uplift the community from places of struggle, crisis, and trauma to something better now absolutely do exist. The proof is with me now, proudly writing to you as TEP’s Multimedia Specialist, looking to reach out to folks who were or are in similar situations and offer some hope with my story.
Opportunities exist for us when we continually stroll the path to evolving for the better, seeking happiness as if it were the storied pot of gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow. Many would say that we are the rainbow, and that we only seek to find ourselves, not confined to the shade, but in light-filled spaces filled with joy, equity, and mutual respect for each other’s dignity and right to thrive.
Allow me to share some tips and lessons on breaking the cycle of merely pursuing such happiness, but attaining it. Here are six practices I’ve put in place for my own self-care and peace of mind. I certainly encourage others to do similar towards the goal of moving yourself beyond survival mode to thriving:
Practice Self-Acceptance: Embrace and celebrate your identity. Learn about Trans rights, healthcare options, and resources available to you. Affirm self-compassion by endorsing your worth and uniqueness. Being well-informed in the arms of acceptance can empower you to make informed decisions about your own well-being.
Set Boundaries: Learn to prioritize your self-care by setting boundaries with others. Clearly communicate your needs so that you protect your mental and emotional energy.
Build A Support System: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and healthcare professionals who can offer a listening ear and are affirming of your identity. Share your feelings and challenges, as talking about them can provide relief.
Explore Support Groups: Join support groups specifically designed for Trans folks experiencing similar feelings or challenges. Engage with media, books, and social platforms that uplift and represent Trans voices. Intentionally placing yourself in such spaces can foster a sense of community, belonging, and understanding, as well as help reduce feelings of isolation.
Create A Safety Plan: Work to develop a crisis plan that outlines steps to take during a moment of crisis. This plan typically includes strategies to identify triggers, coping mechanisms, and emergency contacts to help you navigate in such moments.
Celebrate Personal Milestones: Acknowledge your own progress and achievements. This can help build self-confidence and resilience. This strategy can help elevate your self-esteem and is the foundation on which you might find your own champion within.
Now, as I continually try taking my own tips, evolving myself for the better, and transforming into the embodiment of my most authentic self, I urge you to take hold of this fervor and call for self-care, healing, and joy during Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Channel this testimonial and be encouraged to be your most happily authentic self every month. We are not called to struggle alone, there can be happy endings. Channel it into helpful action when you see friends, loved ones, and strangers alike enduring struggle.
We see you. And I know we must cooperate, finding our power together, advocating for the rights and well-being of our 2TIGE community, especially the most marginalized of us within it. Let us support one another, rejecting the notion that our existence is anything less than extraordinary. Together, we can create a world we’re proud to call home. We can create an existence where our every moment is painted with vibrant brushstrokes of love, joy, acceptance, healing, and empowerment!
Trans joy might be radical, but JOY is a birthright. Help us bring folks who are struggling from surviving to thriving and experiencing joy. The program that helped me get there is inTRANSitions. Make a donation for this life-saving work and sign up for updates to get involved. And together, daring to be better to each other and to ourselves, let’s make it happen.
Envisioning a holistic and accessible healthcare set-up for suicide prevention among Queer, Transgender, and Intersex Black and Indigenous People of Color (QTIBIPOC) involves a stark acknowledgment: Mental healthcare is healthcare. It is equally as important as our physical health and necessitates the same level of attention and care – acknowledging this is the starting point of our journey to combat healthcare disparities faced by the Trans community.
The discriminatory practices within the healthcare system towards QTIBIPOC range from subtle microaggressions to explicit acts of racism and transphobia. This complex interaction of systemic oppression results in increased healthcare disparities and contributes significantly to declining mental health and a higher inclination towards suicidal ideation. The negative experiences in healthcare settings also act as a barrier, discouraging QTIBIPOC from seeking necessary, often life-saving treatment.
There’s an undeniable urgency for accessible mental healthcare for Two-Spirit, Trans, Intersex, and Gender-expansive (2TIGE) individuals, with a particular need to provide better care for QTIBIPOC. A study by the Williams Institute highlights this urgency: an alarming statistic reveals that 51% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide. That number is something that we can and must reduce by providing quality, affordable, equitable, and accessible mental healthcare for all.
The disparities faced by QTIBIPOC compared to white LGBTQ+ individuals are particularly apparent in the realm of health. Research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows QTIBIPOC experience a higher rate of HIV infections and diabetes – just the tip of the iceberg in a sea of inequities.
Nevertheless, we have the power to remodel the healthcare system to better serve our community, and create a more affirming environment for QTIBIPOC. The process begins with healthcare providers holding themselves accountable in their patient interactions. Regular clinic surveys to gather patient feedback, followed by thoughtful reflections on the feedback, can significantly enhance patient-provider interactions.
Investing in quality education resources and periodic training for healthcare staff can provide invaluable insights into providing quality care for 2TIGE and QTIBIPOC individuals. Furthermore, combating white supremacy in the workplace begins with self-awareness, necessitating the use of resources to learn, unlearn, and confront inherent biases.
Organizations like Trans Empowerment Project (TEP) play an integral role in easing this transition by supplying these pivotal resources for healthcare providers. TEP’s program, Project Care, focuses on educating providers and patients on what quality Trans care looks like and can be. Covering topics such as white supremacy, discrimination, biases, and defining reliable care for QTIBIPOC and the Trans community, Project Care pledges to aid in the transformation of healthcare systems into spaces where all lives aren’t merely said to matter, but are treated like they do.
By: Mo Viviane (they/them), Associate Director of Workplace Equity & Inclusion
The journey of 2 Spirit, Trans, Intersex and Gender Expansive (2TIGE) folks has often been marked by courage, self-discovery, and resilience. However, it’s a journey with many challenges, particularly within employment. The lack of adequate support and affirmation in the workplace for 2TIGE people can have profound implications for our professional lives and mental health. I want to delve deeper into the intricate relationship between workplace support, mental well-being, and suicide prevention for our community. The Struggles of 2TIGE Folks in the Workplace As 2TIGE folks, we face unique hurdles in our professional lives. These challenges can range from subtle forms of discrimination and microaggressions to overt acts of prejudice. Many workplaces lack policies and practices that protect us from discrimination based on our gender identity. This creates an environment of fear and uncertainty, making it challenging to express our authentic selves without fear of backlash. The absence of support and affirmation takes a toll on our mental health. We are constantly navigating hostile or unwelcoming workplaces that lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. The stressors associated with hiding our identities or facing daily discrimination can exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions and lead to the onset of new ones. The cumulative effect of these challenges can contribute to a heightened risk of suicidal ideation. The Link to Suicide Prevention Addressing the lack of support and affirmation in the workplace is crucial to suicide prevention for the 2TIGE community. Throughout my research, I have found that 2TIGE folks are at significantly higher risk for suicide attempts and completion than our cisgender counterparts. A study published in the journal JAMA Surgery reveals that gender-affirming surgeries were associated with reducing suicide risk in our community, and it also highlights the importance of affirming gender identity. Gender affirmation goes beyond medical procedures: it extends into all aspects of life, like workplaces. A supportive environment improves mental health outcomes and acts as a protective factor against suicidal ideation. Providing your 2TIGE employees with equitable opportunities, recognizing their names and pronouns, and fostering a culture of inclusivity can make a substantial difference in their overall well-being. Steps Towards Change
Policy Implementation: Workplaces NEED to establish and enforce policies that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression! These policies must address restroom access, dress codes, and employee benefits to ensure that 2TIGE folks are treated equitably and respectfully.
Education & Training: Organizations need to provide education and training for employees to raise awareness of 2TIGE identities, experiences, and the importance of creating inclusive environments. It is not to be the work of your 2TIGE employees to train other folks in the workplace – this is tokenization and can be triggering for folks. Sensitivity training can help mitigate ignorance and foster empathy.
Affirmative Practices: As an employer, you must implement practices affirming and validating gender identities and expressions. This includes using correct names and pronouns, providing gender-neutral facilities, and supporting gender transition processes (as well as including that support in your grievances policies).
Mental Health Support: Access to mental health resources is essential. As an employer, you can collaborate with mental health professionals to provide gender-affirming counseling services tailored to your 2TIGE employees. You can also further support by offering 2TIGE folks resources such as Trans LifeLine rather than the general suicide hotline.
Creating workplaces that support and affirm our community is a human right and a fundamental step toward suicide prevention. The connection between workplace environment, mental health, and suicide risks is undeniable. Acknowledging the struggles faced by 2TIGE folks and taking proactive measures to provide safe and inclusive atmospheres at organizations and companies contribute significantly to the overall well-being of your employees while fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding.
In fostering a culture of acceptance and support for 2TIGE individuals, you can make a lasting positive impact. Trans Employment Project is an invaluable resource, offering a wealth of knowledge, guidance, and practical tools to create workplaces where every individual feels valued and respected. By getting involved with Trans Employment Project (TEmP), you’re investing in the well-being of your employees while also committing to more inclusive, diverse, and thriving workplaces. Together, let’s take proactive steps towards a reality where everyone can excel and flourish!
By Mo Viviane (they/them), Program Manager for Trans Employment Project
The month of August is about celebrating Black Business Month! It’s essential to recognize and uplift the incredible contributions of Black Trans businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs in the business world. As the Program Manager for Trans Employment Project, I am connected with many talented Black business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs leaning into the world of meaningful work. It’s important to highlight these stories and successes of Black Trans, Intersex, and Gender-Expansive folks. We consistently foster a more inclusive and equitable business environment, one that celebrates diversity and empowers Black Trans people in all areas of the workplace and business environments! The Intersection of Identity Being a Black Trans person from the South, I face many unique challenges arising from the intersections of my race, gender identity, and disability. Relatedly, many in my community face similar issues, such as discrimination and systemic barriers that have hindered our access to opportunities despite our immense talent and creativity. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, WE CAN ALL create a more supportive ecosystem that allows Black Trans business owners, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to thrive. Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship Historically, entrepreneurship and business management have offered me a promising path to gain financial independence and pursue my passions, especially as a Black Queer Trans Disabled person. In 2021, I went from being completely unemployed, with no means or access to employment opportunities, not only because we were living through the COVID pandemic, but because I had left a previous workplace rooted in white supremacy. During this time, I sought free educational tools online to boost myself in the social media content sector – where I had no previous knowledge aside from doom-scrolling and content interactions with folks within my small community of followers. As I was in the learning phases, I wondered where the QTIPOC content creators were and found it harder to hear perspectives from folks who looked and identified like me. This catapulted me to be conscious and intentional about the kinds of clients that I wanted to attract. In a year, I utilized what I had learned and began searching for clients who valued uplifting QTIPOC voices in their work. I landed three clients, two of which I still work for as a freelancer today. I went from having no income to having nearly $25,000 in revenue in my first year. To some, that may not seem like a lot, but it took a chance on myself and my values to find the meaningful work I sought. So, Mo – what are you getting at here? Bridging the gap between the experiences of Black Trans freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business owners starts with the education and training of our white counterparts. If you are consistently underrepresenting in your collaborations with Black Trans folks, are you honestly taking steps to invest in our future? Ways to Collaborate 1. Procurement & Partnership: Make a conscious effort to support Disabled Black TIGE owned businesses by sourcing our products and services or collaborating on projects. Creating sustainable business relationships uplifts the landscape or equitable business practices.
Mentorship & Education: Offer mentorship programs, workshops or webinars that provide valuable business insights to Black Trans entrepreneurs. Sharing knowledge and expertise can assist us in navigating challenges, developing new skills, and growing our businesses.
Networking Opportunities: Host events or create platforms for networking where Black Trans business owners can connect with potential clients, partners, and investors. Facilitating these connections can open doors and expand our reach.
Financial Support: Consider creating a scholarship or grants specifically for Black Trans individuals pursuing entrepreneurship or seeking to grow our businesses. Financial support can be a game-changer and empower us to achieve our goals.
Marketing & Promotion: Use your platform to promote and amplify the work of Black Trans business owners. Share our success stories, highlight our products or services, and showcase our contributions to the community!
Advocacy & Policy Support: Advocate for policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in business. Support initiatives that create equal opportunities for everyone and explicitly uplift Disabled Black Trans folks.
Feedback & Collaboration: Seek feedback from Black Trans business owners on how your organization can better support us. Collaborate on initiatives that align with our needs and aspirations. Black Business Month provides an opportunity to celebrate and implement better processes to work with creative and innovative Black Trans freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business owners. By fostering an equitable, collaborative landscape, you open up better pathways that continuously shape a future where all voices are heard and all talents are celebrated. Also, remember creating lasting change requires continuous effort and dedication. By collaborating with Disabled Black Trans business owners all year round, you implement our empowerment and create a more inclusive and vibrant business ecosystem!
In today’s rapidly evolving workspaces, it’s essential for employers to prioritize diversity and inclusion within their organizations. Fostering a supportive and equitable workspace for all employees, including disabled queer, trans, and intersex people of color (QTIBIPOC), leads to an environment that enables everyone to succeed.
You can implement policies and support systems that specifically address the needs of disabled QTIBIPOC employees, and create a solid foundation for a thriving, accessible workplace.
Here are three strategies your organization can consider to build equity for disabled QTIBIPOC employees:
1. Comprehensive Training & Education for All Staff
To create a culture of inclusion, it’s important to educate ALL staff on the unique perspectives and experiences of disabled QTIBIPOC workers. Implement training programs that cover:
Understanding intersectionality and its impact on disabled QTIBIPOC employees
Unconscious bias and how it affects disabled QTIBIPOC in the workplace
Effective communication and allyship methods for supporting disabled QTIBIPOC co-workers
Your organization’s hiring practices greatly impact the diversity of your team. Foster an inclusive recruiting process by:
Actively seeking and recruiting disabled QTIBIPOC candidates
Providing accessible formats for job applications and interviews, such as large print, video interviews, and sign language interpreters
Encouraging the inclusion of disabled QTIPOC individuals in recruitment materials, emphasizing that they are valued and welcome
3. Develop Supportive Policies & Benefits
Ensure that your organizational policies and benefits cater to the needs of disabled QTIBIPOC employees:
Offering flexible work schedules and remote work options, accommodating various conditions and disabilities
Providing comprehensive health insurance that covers both physical and mental health needs, including gender-affirming procedures when applicable
Establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) specifically focused on supporting disabled QTIBIPOC employees, fostering a community where they feel heard, understood, and respected
By implementing these strategies, organizations can create more inclusive workspaces for disabled QTIBIPOC employees, promoting diversity and equity within the workplace and beyond.
A narrative on identity and art by artist, filmmaker, and professor K Pontuti
I grew up in a small farm town in Ohio at a time where there wasn’t any language around queerness or transness—at least nothing positive. It was also a time without the internet so information wasn’t as easily available. I remember hearing phrases like “he’s really sensitive,” ”…so creative,” “…so sweet,” “…really insecure,” which later gave way to “he’s a momma’s boy,” “needs toughening up,” “has to learn what is to be a man,” “must be a queer.”
I was quite sensitive, and I could feel my difference although I didn’t quite understand it. I was also creative and became immersed in my imagination through making things. I taught myself to draw by copying my favorite comics – Charlie Brown and Snoopy were top billed in my cast of characters – and some of my fondest childhood memories are of sewing and crafting with my mom. Soon, though, I was steered towards building model cars and airplanes…“boy stuff.” (My sisters’) Barbies were replaced with G.I. Joes.
Like I think many do, I managed by burying it all, and through determination, desperation, and the privileges of a “straight cisgendered man,” I was able to carve out a “good life” for myself as an adult. At least for a while.
Over the years and in hindsight, I remember sensing glimpses of my yet-to-be-recognized queerness through tinglings and fuzzy feelings but mostly just moments of seeing other people living and experiencing life outside of the cisgendered binary and thinking, “Huh…” and sometimes, “That’s beautiful.”
But life’s responsibilities and gendered pathways and norms didn’t leave a lot of room for me to pose these bigger questions to myself. Even though there was an unrecognizable emptiness, anxiety, depression, and
dysphoria manifesting as eating disorders, self-medication, over exercising, and an insatiable drive to prove that I was worth something, I must have known subconsciously that someday this this slimy, hairy, shitball-of-a-person inside of me would be exposed—and I’d have to come to terms with it all.
A few years ago, as I was wrapping up post production on our film, The Yellow Wallpaper (not ever imagining that I may have been the tragic story’s trapped woman), I fell into a mental health crisis that landed me in the emergency room. I was fortunate to have checked myself in, and even more fortunate to have a supportive partner and family to get me there and back. I started therapy and a long process of excavating the why’s, how’s, and now what’s of why I had forever felt this way (and, of course, this was all happening through the start of the pandemic).
I also started drawing again which was the other thing that saved me. Immersed in the simple act of putting pencil to paper, the ideas started flowing, the dexterity came back, and then it just exploded and everything poured out.
Since then, I’ve been going all in exploring my identity, trauma, and past. Making new drawings and scouring through old ones. Doing more therapy…and lots of shopping.
As might be expected, my artwork explores themes of gender identity, bodily autonomy, mental health, queerness, and trans rights, all from a very personal perspective. The work is very autobiographical and chronicles my transition as it unfolds, in real time.
This past September, I had my first gallery show in ages and titled it Pray And Be Thankful 4 Everything. For me it was a title that walked a line between irony and authenticity. I was so very thankful for everything, but I was also sick and tired of being told that I should be. The exhibition was amazing on so many levels; personally, professionally, and in an incredibly affirming way. I did as many presentations as I could, especially once I saw the impact it was making.
The show provided a platform to start direct conversations about important topics, but definitely raised a lot of eyebrows at the university. Through it all, I’ve received many notes, read student and faculty-written reflections, and had conversations that have brought me to tears. I’ve also felt the ostracization and distancing that many queer and trans people experience. But the good absolutely outweighs the bad, and the joy and satisfaction of realizing who I am, and why I am, has made it one of the most amazing years I could ever imagine.
When I look back at my younger self, that sweet kid that liked to sew with mom, who had no idea what was coming their way, no language or support for what was happening to them…I get really sad and feel an incredible loss. The loss of a childhood. And to think it was all spun so well that I thought something was terribly wrong with me.
Now, that sadness turns to anger as I watch people, corporations, even my home state of Ohio, wage war on trans rights (as well as the rights of many others). That sadness turns to rage as I watch the stripping away of the tools, education, and medical care that kids and their families need in order to comprehend who they are and survive.
I’m sure it’s not easy to be a trans kid today, but I never had the chance to find out for myself, and the alternative wasn’t so easy for me, either. I’m still doing my daily drawing practice, and I funnel all of my sadness and anger and rage and grief into my art where I can turn it into strength, hope, and self-affirmation. Deep down, I know
these are the things that I need, and I’m now receiving, so that I can continue my journey, and hopefully help others continue theirs.
So yeah, in that sense I am truly thankful.
See more of K’s work on their website: https://www.kpontuti.com/
By: Mo Viviane (they/them/theirs), Associate Director of Workplace Equity & Inclusion
that collects stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells, and incantations of Black Trans & Non-binary folks, he has highlighted the intersections of race, gender, and faith. In this, a space of healing and connection within the community is prominent. In 2019, when 25 anti-Trans bills had been introduced in the United States, he created the campaign #TransphobiaIsASin. That number has since increased to 593 bills. This campaign is ongoing, especially since anti-Trans rhetoric and its connection to religious violence have not stopped
Back when I was a student at Northern Kentucky University, I had the opportunity to meet with J Mase III. His presence left a profound impact as he shared an immersive experience through poetry and thought leadership. He also led a writing workshop, where he fostered an environment of learning, empathy, and understanding. J Mase III is my Black Trans icon, deserving of so much recognition and admiration. He has inspired me to embrace myself, especially in a world that continues to erase folks like me.
“the best words in the best order.” He further wrote, “When we write, we string words together like beads, ever mindful of color and shape, the powerful nuances of meaning each word conveys.” As a Black Trans poet in the 21st century, I find Coleridge’s assessment to be spot-on. I would add to his definition that poetry is not merely a collection of best words, but it is also personal. I describe it as a soliloquy in reflection: our needs and desires, our wishes, sorrows, and joys written for posterity. It is an emotional testament to our existence.
became immersed in my imagination through making things. I taught myself to draw by copying my favorite comics – Charlie Brown and Snoopy were top billed in my cast of characters – and some of my fondest childhood memories are of sewing and crafting with my mom. Soon, though, I was steered towards building model cars and airplanes…“boy stuff.” (My sisters’) Barbies were replaced with G.I. Joes.
dysphoria manifesting as eating disorders, self-medication, over exercising, and an insatiable drive to prove that I was worth something, I must have known subconsciously that someday this this slimy, hairy, shitball-of-a-person inside of me would be exposed—and I’d have to come to terms with it all.
through old ones. Doing more therapy…and lots of shopp
