The Pride Office, part of the Center for Inclusion and Social Change, hosted the TRANSforming Gender Conference on March 18 and 19, featuring keynote speakers Raquel Willis and Bamby Salcedo. Raquel Willis, a Black trans woman, is an activist working in NYC and spoke about their experience of coming out in a religious family. Bamby Salcedo, the founder of the Trans Latin@ Coalition, spoke about her struggles with drugs and alcohol in Mexico before moving to the U.S. and coming out. Each speaker’s story was very moving and highly inspirational, showing some of the struggles that trans women of color face.
Morgan Seamont, the director of the Pride Office, states that for the trans community, the conference represents “hope for the future, strength to resist discrimination and hate and a sense of belonging not often experienced in our everyday lives. As a trans man myself, it is always heartwarming and soul-filling to be amongst so many other trans folx.” The conference had two primary aims: to provide resources and support for trans people and to educate cisgender people about trans identities and issues.
More than 650 people attended the two-day event, with around 25% of attendees from the CU community. 78% of those coming to this year’s conference were new attendees, creating an exciting event where people could connect with each other, build new friendships and come together for a common cause.
Key messages from the conference
One key focus of the conference was the current anti-trans sentiment in the U.S., as seen in more than 400 pieces of anti-trans legislation. These anti-trans laws aim to prevent trans youth from participating in sports, using bathrooms that align with their gender identity and preventing people from medically transitioning.
Transgender adults also face legislative targeting. Some states want to prevent insurance companies from covering transgender-related care or prevent trans people from transitioning until their mid-20s. These attacks on trans people’s rights affect their ability to work, attend school and live.
Many of the conference’s workshops focused on empowering topics to promote resiliency and community action among those who identify as transgender. One critical message from the conference was the importance of connection and community. When facing isolation or targeting, trans people benefit from knowing a larger community of trans people and allies exists. Trans individuals do not have to face these challenges alone.
Action steps to move forward
Trans people have multiple avenues to resist the anti-trans climate and find support.
- Connect with community groups, including on-campus programs and organizations.
- Take on more action-oriented roles such as lobbying, protesting and other forms of activism.
- Share your story as an effective way to humanize the trans experience.
- Take time for self-care, including spending time with your chosen family, building coping skills and expressing yourself through art.
Allies within the transgender community can also act to resist the anti-trans climate.
- Help with activist projects, including writing to your state representatives to vote no on anti-trans legislation and talking with local politicians about creating more accessible bathrooms and safer, inclusive environments where trans people feel welcome and comfortable to be themselves.
- If you are learning the basics about trans identities and issues, you can continue to explore and expand your knowledge of different identities within the community and in different cultures.
- Build relationships with trans people and use your privilege to give a platform and voice to the trans community.
- Take the SafeZone training offered through the Pride Office to learn how you can create inclusive learning and work environments for people of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.
Learn more and find support
The Center for Inclusion and Social Change (CISC) provides high-impact, transformational community-building and educational programs to promote intersectional identity development, diversity, equity and social justice.
The Pride Office in the CISC supports LGBTQ+ students, hosts many events to help build community and offers one-on-one student support.
The TransCare team at CU consists of counselors, Medical Services staff and other staff to support students who are transitioning or are considering transitioning. Learn more about services and how to find support for LGBTQ+ Care.