The first part of #TDOR is pausing to remember those who have been taken. If you’re cis (not transgender, nonbinary or two-spirit), it’s also time for action. Today’s the day to check in on us, to share our work, and to donate.
On Trans Day of Remembrance, remember those who were taken from us — and support those of us who are still here.
So, why should you support the work of groups who provide space for trans people to live and thrive? And why not just give to a large, trans-specific nonprofit? As Co-Director of a trans-led but not 100% “trans justice focused” organization, I run into a ton of barriers that others might not necessarily think about. Sometimes it’s a worry that, if we file our 501c3 paperwork and I’m listed as the Director, my “dead name” will be public for everyone to see. Sometimes it’s not getting an invitation to things and being written off as “too radical” because I’ve dared to challenge the gender binary. Sometimes it’s a lack of funding because we’re neither a “trans organization” (and eligible for trans funds) or a cisgender organization (with all of the benefits and privileges that come with living in a cishet society).
But I would offer that we are a trans organization. Our trans justice simply looks different. To us, trans justice is seeing trans people being their full selves, outside of oppression or tokenism. How many times have we taken a job specific to our gender because that’s the only thing we could get? Did you know that we have histories, skills, and talents beyond that? Did you know that we can lead in any space — and that our leadership alone will provide more protection to trans people in all that we do? When trans people are allowed (and funded!) to lead not just in gender justice alone, but also in the arts and water and climate and beyond — that’s trans justice. And through that, we bring our experience as trans people, too. At Imagine Water Works, we know that trans and queer people know best how to survive when times are hard. We know they can reimagine our future, even when the future feels uncertain… and so they lead every aspect of our work.
Based off some of our experiences, here are 7 Reasons to Support Trans-led Organizations on Trans Day of Remembrance (and Every Other Day, Too):
1. We protect those who need it most.
At our organization, we work to make sure that the most forgotten of us are safe before, during, and after a disaster. We started our “Hurricane Survival Guide” series specifically for Queer and Trans people in early 2017. It’s the first in a series of what will eventually be several guides for various communities… but with trans leadership, we prioritized trans people first.
2. We hire and contract with other trans people.
As our QT Survival Guide expands into a zine, we are fundraising specifically to pay trans and queer artists for their work, which will be incorporated into the guide. These artists will know that they’re safe with us, and that they can (and should!) be completely authentic in their work.
3. We hold space for trans people at our events.
Some of you may have recently attended our Art+Science Symposium. While we co-organized the event with other amazing partners, our role was specifically to make the event more equitable and accessible. That meant that pronouns were respected, travel stipends went to queer and trans folks, and conversations around land and water also spoke to the leadership of transgender, two-spirit, and Indigenous people.
4. We create job security for trans people.
I and many of my trans siblings have been fired or pushed out of spaces simply for being trans. Yes, even “open” spaces. This stops with our organization. Plain and simple.
5. We create more freedom — and a future — for trans people.
If you’re trans and have worked in the nonprofit world, in movement work, or in the arts… you know that the vast majority of jobs available to us are transgender specific — and they’re often contracts that don’t pay a livable wage. This is exhausting and it puts us in what feels like an inescapable box. Do I love my people? Yes! Am I proud to be trans? Absolutely, trans people are sacred. Is that all I want to talk about? No. To me, complete freedom and justice for trans people will look like this: a trans CEO of a community foundation, a trans ED of a youth-centered nonprofit, a trans Director of Agriculture, a trans Principal at my future kid’s school, a trans Lead Consultant on the state’s Coastal Masterplan, a trans Business Owner of our local grocery, a trans Director of a climate justice organization (that’s us!). See how expansive our future can be?
6. We can access spaces that others cannot.
Let’s be real: many events, projects, and organizations are not actively seeking trans justice. Maybe they’re just looking for a consultant or a partnership in something that they see as completely unrelated. We enter those spaces, learn and grow together in partnership, and bring trans justice with us. We assert that trans people belong there, too. And we demand respect for ourselves and others in every space we’re in.
7. Our work is intersectional.
Our team isn’t only trans and queer. We are also Creole, Cajun, Indigenous, Black, Arab, Latinx. We are first gen, we are farmers and poor folks. We organize in many spaces because our identities exist in many spaces… and we inherently see the value in combining our movements. As a trans/nonbinary and mixed person, I often feel like a “bridge” between many groups. My organization is a bridge, too. We aren’t going to leave anyone behind.
About the Author
Klie is a native New Orleanian with deep, multi-generational family ties to St. James Parish and a unique blend of experience in communications and grassroots organizing, social and community science, and nonprofit management. In 2017 they created a #MoreThanTrans campaign that reached more than 3 million people globally. Klie is a Grantmakers United for Trans Communities Leadership Fellow, a Loyola University Institute for Environmental Communications Fellow, and was the first Safety Officer for the Global Gathering of Open Science and Hardware. In their spare time (?!) Klie enjoys being outside with friends and family (usually with crawfish), reading the entire internet, and propagating way too many succulent babies.
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Can’t donate, but know of a funding source or resource we might be interested in? Want to volunteer or be involved in some kinda way? Know of other people or groups who we should be in touch with? Send us an email at klie@imaginewaterworks.org.