My name is justin adkins, I was on the steering committee last year
for New England Trans Pride and I have been helping organize this
years event. I am sad to say that this year we will not be holding New
England Trans Pride March and Rally.
Last year the event was a success! We saw over 1,000 trans people and
their allies converge on Northampton, MA to march and rally for our
rights. The speakers and performers all shared the same message, Trans
rights NOW!
There were two efforts this year to hold a Trans Pride event in New
England. One was based out of Northampton and another in Vermont, I
supported both efforts. Because of a variety of reasons neither effort
was successful. But basically, our community has not stepped up to do
the nitty gritty of organizing this event. Yes, we all love a good
parade but this parade is more than just fun and games. As a community
we can not just attend these events we need to help organize them.
This was a march for our rights! This march was to support issues such
as the MA house bill last year. This year we see three of our New
England states addressing our issues. We need to stand up and be
heard.
As I travel around New England and speak to trans people I see the
same few people organizing and the same crowd attending. We all need
to join in these efforts. The attenders need to help organize.
Some have said that because of the economy this year is not the time
to celebrate. Though I understand that it is not a good time for them
I disagree that is a time to celebrate, this is our time! Trans
rights are moving ahead in New England and trans people need to be
seen as those moving with the regional organizations.
Organizations such as GLAD serve ALL of New England and have been the
driving organizations for marriage and transgender rights in our
region.
If you are out of work, which I know that many of you are as we have
one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation and these are hard
economic times, organize! Spend 6 hours a day looking for work and
give 2 to trans organizing. We can all do this together, and only
together. We need to stop the internal bickering and band together.
Trans women, trans men, genderqueer folks all together fighting hard
for our rights. Other communities have left us behind, we need to move
together.
With no Trans Pride this year what can we do? First, support the
legislation in your state (if you are in MA, CT, or NH). Second, even
if there is no current legislation addressing our issues in your state
go meet your representatives at the state and national level. Let your
government know that you exist. Third, help plan for a Trans Pride
next year. My personal hope is to see this event move from state to
state, each year in a different place, to be a true New England event.
Help make this happen by getting some dedicated individuals together,
then contact me, I will put you in touch with the group that planned
last years event, we will all help you to be a success! Lastly, be
yourself and take care of yourself. Being trans is not the easiest
thing I have ever done, I know many of you can relate. Take care of
yourself, get out of the house, connect with other trans people, go
back to school just to be in a classroom. And remember, you are
special and wonderful!
So, overall, I’m sorry that we will not have an event this year. But,
next year I know that some of you out there will be ready. And this
year I know that we will all, TOGETHER, get some amazing work done in
New England.
In solidarity,
justin adkins
info@justinadkins.com
SUCCESS!!! WE DID IT!!!
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteers, vendors, and speakers, etc who made yesterday a wonderful success. None of what happened yesterday could be done without the amazing support of the community. I was personally so impressed by the volunteers who showed up in the morning and gave it there all to the very end, you all know who you are!
On that note. We continue to tirelessly work behind the scenes, mainly to get video and images from the event out to the public.
PHOTOS: If you took photos yesterday, and would like to share them with everyone, please send them to transpride@gmail.com along with your name so I can make sure photographers are credited. I will start adding them to the transpride website http://transpridemarch.org as they come in.
VIDEO: We had a few people that videoed the event. 1) Carlyn with Your Story Matters (Thanks to her, and everyone who agreed to speak with her about your experience) Carlyn is making a documentary about the event and we will let you know when that is available. 2) Working with Carlyn were a few other volunteers who taped the rally speakers. We are working on getting that video available to you online and I will let you know when that is available too. 3) I know many others were taking video, if you put it online, ie YouTube, please let me know so that we can spread the word.
Again, THANK YOU!!
transpride@gmail.com
Organizing and planning the first Transgender Pride March and Rally for New England. News, updates, and discussions about planning the march.
June 7, 2008, Northampton, MA
The first New England Transgender Pride March and Rally will be held on June 7, 2008 in Northampton, MA. The event is organized by members of the trans and gender variant community, and their allies, with the intent of taking a visible and positive stand for transgender rights. The March and Rally is dedicated to diverse representation among organizers and participants. We seek to educate and build awareness of the movement against gender-based discrimination. We promote self-acceptance and acceptance of our whole identities and lives. We gather to celebrate and affirm our individuality, diversity, and strength.
The Transgender Pride March and Rally 2008 seeks to:
Build a community of compassionate and open-minded individuals who represent all gender expressions, and wish to unapologetically stand up for their civil and human rights.
Address the institutionalized and intrapersonal racism, classism, ageism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination faced by many trans and gender variant people on a daily basis.
Promote the self-determination of all trans and gender variant people, in support of the International Bill of Gender Rights: http://www.transgenderlegal.com/ibgr.htm.
Unite with one another and allies to speak out for social, economic, and political justice of under-represented and marginalized communities, and support the right of all communities to be heard.
Nashville Pride will be Saturday, June 20th at Riverfront Park from 11 AM-6 PM. Entertainers include: Deborah Cox, Kelly King, Jason Antone, Atomic Blonde, Jason Himan and The Adams, Carol Plunk, Festival Emcee-Lady Bunny and some surprise guests!
Boise Queer Idol is back for its third year and we want you!
In 2009 the party just keeps getting better. This year's winner will walk away with a grand prize of $500, a cameo solo performance at the Common Ground "PROUD!" Concert with The Portland Gay Men's Chorus - in front of hundreds of fans, and the singular title of Boise Queer Idol 2009.
The competition is always tight, so reserve your song today, purchase your tickets now and get VIP seating and special prizes by visiting our website BoiseQueerIdol.com
Also, don't miss out on Pride's special event for 2009 - PROUD! featuring Boise's Common Ground Chorus, LipsInc, and The Portland Gay Men's Chorus. Buy your tickets before they sell out!
For more information on Boise Pride 2009 including a list of events, and important dates, please visit their website at BoisePride.org
About FTM Book Vol. 1 FTM Book Vol 1: A Basic Introduction to Transman Life is an easy-to-understand, yet comprehensive primer on FTM issues such as:
What is an FTM? How do FTMs see themselves? Appearance Stages in Transition Surgeries Available Common Personal Histories Violence Discrimination Health Issues Counseling Relationships Common Legal Issues
We've worked hard to help create definitions that will help you talk about trans issues with others, including terms for body parts unique to the FTM and by naming the stages of transitioning. This book is great for anyone who who is having trouble understanding the lifestyle or choices of a transperson. When we first began dating, we were shocked that there was no one place that he (Aaron) could turn to show me (Crystal) "See, this explains what being an FTM means." We hope that this book will be a good start.
Best of all, when you order FTM Book Vol. 1: A Basic Introduction to Transman Life you can feel good knowing that sales of the book are being used to fund more research to help FTMs and their partners get through the challenges of their lives. This is a great book for youself and for anyone you know who could use a little more understanding. Also, you can help teach others about trans issues by donating copies to your local high schools, colleges, LGBT centers and libraries.
The voices never stop around the castle; sometimes they are tender, at summertime, just after a heavy rain, but usually they are cutting like knives. I do not understand why I both fear them and desire them so much. Perhaps it is because pain makes me feel more real?
A naked messenger is running through the forest, wearing a leather helmet. He finds me lying on the floor, with broken fingers, in front of the heavy door. He looks down at me, opens a huge empty mouth and starts to talk, with tears in his eyes. His message is always the same, “stay on the ground, where you belong to”, and then he attacks me. Once, I tried to rise, while he was assaulting me, protecting my face, and my genitals, which he was trampling with anger. But I missed, and I felt on my knees again, looking at his flaming eyes. At that moment, I understood the sick lie of hope, and I accepted my fate : my childhood will destroy me forever.
