Lavender Rights Project

“Won’t you celebrate with us: how we are Black everything, and originating ions ago, though most folk call us new. Won’t you celebrate our beauty, our blackness, our bravery, how we decorate ourselves in garments for the gods and for the gworls, and for those who need to see trans and gender-diverse bodies owning how divine we be. Come on, celebrate with us, how despite efforts to capture and contain, beat us down and dispose of our bodies, we smile with all teeth and trudge alongside one another in the trenches. Come celebrate the alchemy of our existence, how we shapeshift the molds that our spirits are too enormous to exist within. Come meet with us, at the frontlines of revolution, of legislation to get us free, of advocating affordable housing, healthcare, and racial equity. Come celebrate with us, see us, cheers to us: we who never die, we who always rise, we Black trans lives. Won’t you celebrate with us, hear our voice and heed the tales: of how everyday, something has tried to kill us…and failed." -Bobbi?Kindred, Interim Communications Manager, LRP #TransDayofVisibility

??? Get Ready for the Ancestors Ball! ??? We’re excited to unveil the categories for this year’s competition at the Ancestors Ball! Join us in honoring our transcestors and celebrating our vibrant identities through fashion, performance, and creativity. Check out the amazing cash prizes up for grabs! ???? OTA Best Dressed Mutha's Fly: $500 Grand Prize OTA Face Beloved Home: $300 Grand Prize OTA Performance Generations: $300 Grand Prize OTA Runway: The Definition: $250 Grand Prize Bizarre: Freedom to Thrive: $300 Grand Prize Bring your best looks, a picture of your inspiration, and let’s make this night unforgettable! ????? Join us as we celebrate our roots, honor our ancestors, and embrace our futures! #LavenderRightsProject #AncestorsBall #Transcestors #CelebrateIdentity #FashionWithPurpose #BallroomCulture #HonorYourHeritage

??? Meet Me at the Ancestors Ball! ??? We are thrilled to announce that the Ancestors Ball is officially SOLD OUT! ?? Thank you to everyone who has supported this incredible celebration of our heritage and community. But wait! We have a final push for 20 more individuals to join us! If you identify as Black, Brown, Indigenous, or Trans, we want to welcome you to this special event. ???? Don’t miss your chance! Sign up now at bit.ly/LastChanceAB and be part of this transformative evening! Let’s come together to honor our ancestors and celebrate! ?? Special thanks to our partners Transgender Law Center and Black LGBTQ Migrant Project - BLMP #AncestorsBall #SoldOut #CelebrateHeritage #BlackTransLeadership

Congratulation to our Executive Director Jaelynn Scott on receiving the Voice of Resilience Award from My Sistah’s House Memphis ?????

?? "We are the ones that we have been waiting for." ?? In her commentary on the Black Trans Policy Convening in Atlanta, Executive Director Jaelynn Scott emphasizes the critical role of Black Trans leaders in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. From the progress made during the Black Lives Matter movement to the alarming threats we face today. As we confront challenges to reproductive rights, transgender rights, and the rights of people of color, it’s vital that we unite to build a future where our voices are heard and prioritized. A heartfelt thank you to Aria and Jaelynn for their incredible contributions to this vital conversation and speaking truth to power for Black Liberation! ???????? #BlackTransPolicy #LavenderRightsProject #BlackTransLeadership #BlackLivesMatter #TransRights #WeAreTheChange

Today, on #TDORRR, we honor the fierce spirit of Black trans people. Our resilience, our resistance, our revolution and our relentless pursuit of justice is a testament to the power of the human spirit. The threads of Black liberation and Black trans liberation are deeply intertwined, forming an intricate tapestry of strength and survival. We understand that the struggle for justice for one is the struggle for justice for all. Black trans people sit at the unique intersection of issues that ALL Black people experience. Systemic racism, sexism, misogyny, and transphobia are the chains that bind us all. But we are breaking free, one link at a time. Let's honor our courage, our collective creativity, and our unwavering commitment to more than surviving but THRIVING FIERCE-LESSLY. Join us in the fight for liberation. #BlackTransLivesMatter #BlackLivesMatter #TransResistance #BlackPower #TDOR #TDORRR

Last month, I on behalf of Lavender Rights Project convened a group of Black trans policy professionals, organizers, lawyers, academics, politicians, and thought leaders for the first Black Trans Policy Convening so that we could begin the necessary work of developing a National Black Trans Policy Agenda. I was inspired to create this space because of the racism and transmisogynoir I have experienced at mainstream trans civil rights orgs and their refusal to engage in a truly intersectional framework that is necessary as we plan for for the next decade of our movement. When I attempted to collaborate in other safe spaces earlier this year I was told take my work somewhere else because we don’t want that here. So I did. This is only the beginning but I believe in the power of Black trans people and I know that we are the ones that we have been waiting for. I want to thank my sister Aria Sa'id for helping to curate this entire event. I could not have done this without her expertise and support. I also want to thank my ED Jaelynn Scott for trusting me to hold this work and empowering me every step of the way. I look forward to planning the next convening and growing our collective power. ?? Myles Person

#TransgenderDayOfRemembrance - A Message from Vice Chair Bryanna A. Jenkins, Esq. - Dear family, My name is Bryanna A. Jenkins, and it is a pleasure to serve as Vice Chair of the National Bar Association’s LGBTQ Division. I live in Houston, TX. where I hold the position as the Policy Director at Lavender Rights Project. I aim to use my voice and address the many issues and injustices that affect transgender people across the country. For those who may not know, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is observed annually on November 20th to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. In 1999, a small group of transgender women founded TDOR to memorialize the murders of Black transgender women Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, who both lived in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Since 1999, this momentous day has grown to be recognized internationally. Against this backdrop, I would like to shed light on the daunting numbers that greatly impact transgender people. In 2024, more than three-quarters of the trans people murdered so far were people of color, according to the Human Rights Campaign. About two-thirds were killed with a gun, and more than half were Black trans women. Between 2017 and 2021, the number of trans people who were murdered in the U.S. nearly doubled. Our nation recently came off a contentious election season where $215 million was spent on television ads attacking transgender people. We face an incoming administration that has vowed to ban both gender-affirming health care and transgender people’s participation in school sports. All while, certain reports indicate that transgender people were scapegoated by false allies. In uncertain times, this has continued to fan the fires of hate and violence towards transgender people. On this special day, the LGBTQ Division remembers the brave transgender individuals who lived in their truth, but lost their lives to acts of senseless violence. We stand in solidarity with our transgender members and encourage everyone to show support to transgender folks on this day. Standing in solidarity means boldly and unequivocally opposing transphobia in whatever form it appears, even if that transphobia impacts someone who isn’t transgender. Lastly, I am also reminded of the legacy stemming from Frances Thompson’s groundbreaking impact in creating protections for all individuals under the 14th Amendment. To learn more, please view the video below where Ezra Young so eloquently explains the importance of Frances Thompson’s legacy that prompted equal protection under the law. I look forward to seeing you at the next LGBTQ Division Membership Meeting, and I hope you have a Happy Holiday season. Forever in your service, Bryanna A. Jenkins LGBTQ Division, Vice Chair National Bar Association

Our recent Black Trans Policy Convening in Atlanta was a huge success! ?? We brought together 21 individuals from across the country, including esteemed professors, influential politicians, and renowned national organizers. The convening provided a platform to share insights and experiences, focusing on the groundbreaking work in Seattle and impactful policy initiatives led by Black trans folks nationwide. We also began developing a comprehensive National Black Trans Policy Agenda, which we plan to refine at a future conference. A special thank you to Aria and Jaelynn for their invaluable contributions in making this event possible! ???????? For more details, see our post convening report: www.lavrights.org/policy. #BlackTransPolicy #LavenderRightsProject #CommunityLeadership #PolicyChange #NationalBlackTransAgenda #TogetherWeRise

At Lavender Rights Project, we stand firm in the fight against violence and discrimination targeting Black trans women and femmes. Our commitment is unwavering: ? Ending Violence: We advocate for policy changes that protect ALL Black lives, ensuring safety and freedom from fear. ??? Amplifying Voices: By sharing the stories of Black trans individuals, we challenge stereotypes and foster inclusivity. ?? Intersectional Approach: We tackle the root causes of oppression, recognizing that our struggles are interconnected. ?? Creating Safe Spaces: We build communities where ALL Black people can heal, connect, and thrive. Together, we are stronger! #ProtectBlackLives #BlackTransLiberation #LavenderRightsProject #CommunityStrength #BlackExcellence