Aired Mar 31, 2022
This Transgender Day of Visibility Let’s Seek Out Joy
Since 2009, March 31 has been recognized as Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), a day that is meant to celebrate the lives and contributions of people who are transgender across the globe. With the unprecedented volume of state level bills targeting people who are trans, this year TDOV feels especially important. This episode of Something To Talk About Live, we will be discussing Emme Lund’s article in Romper, “When They Come For Our Joy” with Maria Montaño, the first openly trans woman to serve as Press Secretary for the city of Pittsburgh, and Reverend Debra Hopkins, a proud trans woman of color and licensed non-denominational minister.
Something to Talk About Live is a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter.
We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, March 31. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!
Article: When They Come For Our Joy
Source: Romper
Author: Emme Lund
Questions for Discussion:
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In your opinion, what does allies channeling joy and excitement for their trans and nonbinary loved ones look like? How can we encourage more allies to seek out that joy? How do you think you strike a balance between celebration and the seriousness of attacks on the trans community?
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The author notes specific fears around coming out as trans at work – even in a city and state where robust nondiscrimination protections exist. In your experience, where do those fears come from? What can employers can do to reduce that kind of fear?
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What do you do to take care of yourself so that you don’t feel overwhelmed and can continue to fight for equality? Do you have any recommendations for folks who may be on the verge of giving up?
Bonus read: Check out Gainey’s smart and historic appointment which originally appeared as an editorial in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and details Ms. Montaño’s role in the mayor’s office and this article from the Daily News by Steve Wildsmith, Privilege and ‘Proper Pronouns’: Clayton Center documentary examines like through the lens of trans ministers, that details Reverend Hopkins participation in a recent documentary.
About Our Guests:
Maria Montaño, Press Secretary, Office of Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh, PA
Reverend Debra Hopkins, Founder & CEO, There’s Still Hope
Ways to Watch: