April 2022 Update
A digital collage with a background of torn pink and blue paper across most of the page, and part of a book page to the right. There are cutout letters spelling out TRANS, and a rope with 3 polaroids clipped to it. In the frame of those polaroids from L-R is graphic art reading Protect Our Trans Siblings with text reading share protest signs, a pink and blue envelope with text reading write love letters, and a headshot of State Representative Mauree Turner with a yellow background and text reading make zines about trans & GNC trailblazers. Below those polaroids text reads Day of Visibility Community Art Project. At the top right is a piece of pink and white checkered washi tape and a Freedom Oklahoma logo in black.
ICYMI: Trans Day of Visibility Community Art Project
We asked community members to share representations of love and joy centering trans, Two Spirit, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming Oklahomans ahead of Trans Day of Visibility March 31. We’re so grateful for the space to celebrate the members of our community who have so frequently been the targets of policy attacks, and what better way than through the art traditions?
See some of what was shared with us, below.
Image Descriptions from left to right:
Image 1: Trans Day of Visibility Community Art Project" on a zine-style collage of newspapers, colored paper, stickers, and tape. There is a polaroid picture with a black and white embroidered image of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson standing at the front lines of a protest.
Image 2: “TDOV love letters” and“ 2022 a trans day of visibility community art project" on a zine-style collage of colored paper, stickers, and tape. A piece of paper has the text: “TDOV to me is a day when we can bring awareness to the Trans community and focus on human beings who should always feel loved, cared for and able to be themselves regardless of societal injustices. I see you, I love you and I think of you always.”
Image 3: “TDOV love letters” and“ 2022 a trans day of visibility community art project" on a zine-style collage of colored paper, stickers, and tape. A post-it note has the text: “Everyone deserves the right to be who they are. I will always have your back!”
Image 4: Trans Day of Visibility Community Art Project" on a zine-style collage of newspapers, colored paper, stickers, and tape. There is a collage with text “Trans, Two Spirit, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people know that things can and must be different. Better. And they share the gift of that vision with all of us.” alongside images of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, a protest sign that reads “Black trans Lives Matter” and a headline that reads “Oklahoma’s Mauree Turner Makes History as Nonbinary State Legislator” alongside an image of Rep. Mauree Turner smiling.
Image 5: “Trans Day of Visibility Community Art Project" on a zine-style collage of newspapers, colored paper, dried flowers, and tape. There is a polaroid picture with a portrait of Rachel Crandall-Crocker, Transgender Michigan founder.
Image 6: Trans Day of Visibility Community Art Project" on a zine-style collage of newspapers, colored paper, stickers, and tape. There is a polaroid picture with a drawing of a person holding a peace sign and wearing trans pride colors and a trans pride pin.
Image 7: Trans Day of Visibility Community Art Project" on a zine-style collage of newspapers, colored paper, stickers, and tape. There is a polaroid picture that includes the graphic created for a haiku: handsome and lovely | are each face and presence shown, | treasured, beloveds. | small and fierce and proud, | holding impenetrable, | visible softness. | you are not alone, | loves many hold and see you, | beloved dear ones. | #transdayofvisibility2022 #protecttranskids #transkidsbelong.
Image 8:“TDOV love letters” and“ 2022 a trans day of visibility community art project" on a zine-style collage of colored paper, stickers, and tape. A piece of paper has the text: “Thanks for helping me figure out who I am.”
Legislative Update:
It has been an especially tough legislative session so far, as too many of us know personally. We’ve seen an unprecedented number of attacks on 2SLGBTQ+ people in and beyond Oklahoma. Most recently, we saw swift movement of SB 2, legislation originally amended in 2021 to become a bill effectively banning transgender youth from participating in sports, with likely impacts to Two Spirit, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming kids. We’ve been firm, time and time again, that this legislation serves no purpose beyond its cruelty, but in a spectacle of a ceremony, the Governor signed it into law Wednesday. You can read our full statement, here. There are a lot of conversations happening and decisions to be made about next steps. We’ll continue to keep our community updated about what is happening, and hope you will reach out to us if you or someone you know is impacted because of this legislation. Further, we know this legislation and discussions around it can have a measurable negative impact on mental health. There is 2SLGBTQ+ affirming mental health support available, such as Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860), the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564), and the Trevor Project (call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678).
Navy background with a Freedom Oklahoma logo in the lower right corner. In the center of the page is graphed lines and a torn blue piece of graph paper with the text “We Continue to work with partners at the state and national level to consider all of the options for next steps, because whether in the courts or the streets, there will be next steps.” The paper has blue-lined washi tape in the top left corner and pink shiny washi tape in the bottom right. In the upper right corner, there are different shapes in trans pride colors. On the far left, there is a graphic of a person wearing pink pants with purple shoes and a purple top, holding a trans pride flag design sign.
To everyone who has taken action alongside us so far, and especially to the brave trans kids and their families who tell their stories, even when the legislature does not make space to hear from the people they’re harming, we appreciate you so very much. This fight is not over. So rest up, care for each other, and let’s finish this legislative session with continued harm reduction rooted in radical love.
Important Links:
Stay up-to-date this Legislative Session
We know it’s been a tough and unpredictable legislative session so far. Thanks so much to everyone who has taken action and joined us for updates. If you missed our mid-session check-in, you can watch the video from that discussion, here, and as always, continue to look to the Legislative Tracker, updated weekly!
A picture from the 2020 Freedom Oklahoma Lobby Day. There’s a dark blue overlay and 3 orange, blue, and light blue blobs framing the image. In the center is the Freedom Oklahoma logo and text: “Protecting 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans in 2022”
2SLGBTQ+ Community Groups
Be sure to sign up for our 2SLGBTQ+ Teacher, Parent/Guardian, and Student Virtual Community Groups! Join us as we discuss current legislative efforts and talk more about how we can best support the 2SLGBTQ+ community here in OK! We will be here to answer any questions you may have or give support on any issues you are facing within your community.
Teachers: Tue (4/5), 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Caregivers: Wed (4/6), 5:00-7:00 pm
Students: Thurs (4/7), 5:00-6:00 pm
If you have barriers to accessing a virtual meeting please reach out to us so we can work with you to remove those obstacles.
A teenager sitting in a classroom with a small rainbow Pride flag in the background. Text: “2SLGBTQ+ Youth Organizing & GSA Support.” and “Freedom Oklahoma | 2SLGBTQ+ Community Groups | Teachers: Tuesday, 4/5 | Parents/Guardians: Wednesday, 4/6 | Students: Thursday, 4/7”