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John,
Today marks seven years since the Pulse Nightclub massacre took the lives of 49 thriving community members.
It happened in Orlando, Florida during "Latin Night," but it could’ve happened anywhere. Many who died that night were queer and trans people of color -- the very same people who organize and lead within mass movements in communities nationwide, but are often left out of the narrative.
Seven years since Pulse and yet still in Missouri and across our country, transgender people are under attack. Hate crimes and hateful policies are on the rise as right-wing extremists continue in their attempts to erase trans people. This year alone, there have already been more than 400 bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community. In Missouri, just last week, our Republican governor signed a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors and even some adults.
Black and brown LGBTQ+ people deserve safety and care, not danger and hate. Until everyone has the freedom to unapologetically express themselves without the threat of violence, none of us are free.
That’s why today, I want to introduce you to Transformations, a Midwest-based organization run by trans women of color focused on capacity building and leadership development among trans communities of color in Missouri and neighboring communities in Kansas and Northwest Arkansas.
Transformations seeks to address the complex web of intersectional systems of power and oppression facing trans women of color, including colorism, anti-Blackness, immigration status, sexism, and trans misogyny that are faced both in mainstream society as well as specifically within majority white, queer community spaces.
This powerful organization is innovative and brave in their vision to create safer, thriving communities for trans women of color.
On this day, the day of remembrance for the victims of the Pulse massacre, I ask you to join me in stepping up and providing Transformations with the support and resources they need to keep delivering safety, courage, and leadership for our trans siblings and families as they fight to stay alive and thrive now.
Last year Transformations hosted their first “Liberation Camp” to grow power for trans BIPOC leaders and two dozen trans people of color participated. Their yearly “The Dolls are Thriving” virtual summit engaged more than 260 attendees in 2022, primarily trans women of color, in leadership, advocacy and mentorship.
They provided more than $7,000 in direct funding to trans youth so they could afford necessary expenses related to their safety and well-being, such as moving costs, paying for gender affirming care and medical bills, covering meals and groceries and purchasing gender affirming supplies and clothing to help keep themselves safer.
Transformations’ work with our communities towards our collective liberation is powerful and necessary. And it’s all done on a shoestring budget.
As we remember the victims of the Pulse Nightclub massacre, let’s invest in organizations doing critical grassroots work that uplifts our trans siblings. Join me in supporting Transformations and help create a safer future for LGBTQ+ people and for us all.
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This Pride Month, I want to affirm to our LGBTQ+ supporters that we value you, we love you, and we’ve got your back.
With love,
Cori Bush
SUPPORT TRANSFORMATIONS
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