November is coming and so is Transgender Day of Remembrance. (Nov. 20)
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is a day to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of anti-transgender violence and bring attention to the continued brutality endured by the trans and gender-expansive members of our community. TDOR is also a time for us to gather as a community in support and mutual healing. The day invites us to renew our commitment to deeply caring for one another and resolving to work together to end the injustices trans people worldwide are continually facing.
Let me tell you, the resilience of the trans community is nothing short of iconic.
They’re not just fighting back against hate — they’re slaying the game, creating art, leading movements, and showing the world what it means to live authentically. And can we just stop for a second to give them the standing ovation they deserve?
But before you scroll on, thinking you know everything about trans resilience, sit down and sip this tea, because we’re going to break it down — loud, proud, and sprinkled with sass.
YES, QUEEN!
First up, let's talk about some of the fab folks who are out here shaking up the world. I'm talking about people like Laverne Cox — you know her, you love her! The Emmy-nominated actress who has not only become the face of trans visibility in Hollywood but also uses her platform to advocate for trans rights. Laverne’s not just an Orange Is the New Black star, darling. She’s a trans role model, and she’s leading the way for countless others who look up to her.
Then we’ve got MJ Rodriguez, our girl from Pose. MJ made history as the first transgender woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama TV series, and let me tell you, her acceptance speech had more grace, power, and love than most politicians have ever shown. She didn’t just make history, hun, she redefined it. We’re talking about real-life proof that the trans community is here.
And, oh, don’t think I’ve forgotten Elliot Page. This superstar didn’t just step into his truth, he kicked down the door and took Hollywood by storm. When Elliot came out as transgender in 2020, it was a turning point for so many who needed to see a visible, vocal trans man making waves in the industry. The Umbrella Academy star said, "This is who I am, world — deal with it."
Trans Creators
Now, let’s talk creativity, because you know I can’t resist spilling some love on the artistic geniuses out there. Trans creators are out here flipping the script (literally), changing the game in everything from fashion to film to poetry.
Alok Vaid-Menon, honey! This gender non-conforming performance artist is serving us unfiltered brilliance every day, challenging what society thinks about gender, beauty, and identity. Alok’s work as a writer, comedian, and poet is so next level, it’s like trying to describe Lady Gaga’s entire fashion career in one word: impossible.
Fashion, darling? Don’t even get me started. Designers like Pierre Davis, the first trans woman to debut a collection at New York Fashion Week, are changing the face of fashion one stitch at a time. Let’s be real: If you’re not paying attention to these legends-in-the-making, you’re missing out on a revolution.
And don’t think for a second that trans joy and resilience are limited to celebrities, because honey, the real icons are in communities all around us, living their best lives and doing the damn thing every single day.
Trans Heroes
I’m talking about the trans youth who are standing up to their school boards and demanding the right to exist in peace. I’m talking about the trans parents who are raising kids with more love and compassion than a Hallmark movie marathon. And I’m definitely talking about the trans activists who are organizing on the frontlines of protests, lobbying lawmakers, and creating safe spaces for their community. (shout out to our local trailblazer Ethan and Safe To Be.)
Like Ethan and the Safe To Be volunteers here in Eureka Springs there's, Kayla Gore. Kayla is out in Memphis, Tennessee, building tiny homes for trans folks who have nowhere else to go.
Kayla and Ethan are changing lives — literally brick by brick.
Thank you.
Or how about Jennicet Gutiérrez? She’s an immigrant rights activist who’s been making waves fighting for trans women in ICE detention centers. That’s right, she’s not afraid to speak up — even when it means interrupting President Obama at a White House event. And the best part? She’s doing it all to make sure that trans women of color — who are so often ignored — get the justice they deserve.
Let’s not forget Ashlee Marie Preston, an outspoken media advocate who’s out here challenging every narrative Hollywood tries to push. When she speaks, people listen, and she’s unafraid to call out even the biggest names.
Glitter and Grit
Here’s the thing about trans joy: It’s revolutionary. It’s not just about smiling through the pain or pretending everything’s okay when it’s not. Trans joy is about about saying, “I exist, I thrive, and nothing you do can take that away from me.” That’s why trans joy is more powerful than any legislation, any bigot, or any hate group could ever be.
When trans people live their lives unapologetically, that’s activism. When they celebrate their wins — big and small — that’s resistance. And when they find joy in their communities, in their art, in their friendships, THAT is the kind of energy that changes the world.
So don’t get it twisted: Trans folks aren’t just surviving — they’re thriving. And if we want to be a part of this revolution, we’ve got to celebrate that resilience, lift it up, and protect it like the rare and precious thing it is.
And guess what? Trans joy is contagious. You can’t see it without catching a little bit of it yourself. So go ahead, bask in it. Amplify it. And maybe — just maybe — you’ll learn how to bring a little more of that fabulous "glitter and grit" resilience into your own life.❤️
In memory of our Trans loved ones that have gone before us.
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