The 2017 Trans 100 List Goes International!

Well international trans folks, you are finally getting what you have asking for ever since the Trans 100 List founded by Antonia D'orsay cranked up here in the US several years ago.

The Trans 100 List is going international.

The 2017 Trans 100 International List will honor those trans people who are NOT in North America (North America for the purposes of this award is Canada, Mexico and the United States)
North America will have its own 2017 Trans 100 nomination list that you can nominate people for via the link provided.

Here are the guidelines for the 2017 Trans 100 Nominations

– Nominees must have been living and working to improve the lives of trans people for at least six months of the prior year. (International will be 2015 and 2016)
– Nominees can be working at any scale, locally, regionally, or nationally.
– We would like to see all parts of the country represented.
– We particularly encourage the addition of the otherwise unsung or only locally known workers.
– We particularly encourage the addition of persons of color.
– Nominees must identify as trans.
– Nominations must include a means of contacting them.
– Organizations are eligible, provided the organization is entirely run by trans persons.

This is not an award. The goal is to recognize outstanding members for the Work itself, and it is the work they do that is considered before anything else.

Nominations will close on March 1, 2017, at midnight MST.

Notes:

– Voting is anonymous.
– The list will not be ranked, and the tally will not be publicized.
– Nominees will be contacted by the Trans 100 Team for permission before the list is published

Here's the link for the 2017 Trans 100 International Nominations

So yes, I'm excited to see what trans folks in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Australia, Europe and the Middle East will be nominated and eventually make the final cut for doing the work of standing up for transkind in 2015 and 2016.

The Trans 100 Class of 2015

Even though I expressed my concerns about Sunday's event and the glaring omission of Texas trans activists in a year in which two Texas cities passed trans inclusive ordinances , make no mistake about it, I am as a 2013 Trans 100 honoree an unabashed supporter of it.   

Congratulations to all the people who were selected for the 2015 list, which included our first international honoree in Victor Mukasa and our first posthumous one.

And now, the Trans 100 Class of 2015

Maddie Adams
Ben Power Alwin
Joe Bates
Oliver Bendorf
Andrea Bowen
Avi Bowie
Myles Alexander Brady
Meghan Buell
Lexie Cannes
Daniella Carter

Joanna M. Cifredo
Thomi Clinton
Dr. Lynn Conway
Yvonne Cook-Riley
James Darling
Samantha-Jo Dato
Jordan Gwendolyn Davis
Rashida Davison
Mashuq Mushtaq Deen
Dallas Denny

Ashley Diamond
Rev. Tammy Jubilant Butcher Ojcr
Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi
Kale Edminston
Lauryn Farris
Sam Feder
Dylan Fluker
Theo George
Katrina Goodlett
Dr. Kai M. Green

Brooke Cerda Guzman
Gretchen Rachel Hammond
Rhys Harper
Imani Keith Henry
Joe Ippolito
Mary Irons
Monica James-Lawren
Sandy Evan James
Jennell Jacquays
Sawyer Andrew Johnson

Monica Jones
Nic Key
Bryn Kelly
Aydin Kennedy
Mira Krishnan
Malachi Larrabe-Gaza
Jiz Lee
Justin Lenley
Aryah Lester
Dr. Rachel  Levine

Jennifer Louise Lopez
Kristen Parker Lovell
Tommy Luckett
Mickey Mahoney
Greta Gustava Martela
J Mase III
JD Melendez
Julian Melson
Joselyn Mendoza
Victor J. Mukasa

Michael Munson
Toni Newman
Maxwell Ng
Kean O'Brien
Elijah Oberman
Marcus Alexander Xavier Ordane
Reyna Ortiz
Alexis P. Paige
Ben Panico
Petey Peterson

Dianne Grace Piggott
Chelsea Poe
Penelope Poppers
Rebeka Refuse
Dr. Sam Reisner SCD
Geena Rocero
Rev. Megan Rohrer
Avi Isaiah Rudnick
Jayden HC Sampson
Greyson Simon

Ms. Dr. Joseph L.Simons
Grace Sterling Stowell
Turner Stulting
De Sube
Emma Violet Todd
Crispin Torres
Jos Truitt
Alek Vaid-Menon
Jay Very
Victoria Villalbe

LaSaia Waide
Bonn Wade
Melvin Antoine Whitehead
Willy Wilkinson
Dawn Josephine Wilson
Hina Wong-Kalu
Evan Young
LaLa Zannell
Leslie Feinberg (posthumously)

Impressions Of The Trans 100 Class of 2015 Reveal Show

For the first time I got an opportunity to actually be in the Mayne Stage house for the third edition of The Trans 100.  I congratulate every honoree who was named in the Trans 100's Class of 2015 including my Louisville homegirl Dawn Wilson.

As a 2013 honoree I have been pleased and proud to see this dream of Toni D'orsay's grow to become a much anticipated event thanks to Jen Richards' efforts.

But because Toni and I are friends, we have had long discussions over the last two years on the direction of it and where she would like it to go.

Not only was Toni not happy about what transpired at the 'Chicago Trans Advocate Awards' last night, neither was I.

While I also with everyone else in the audience enjoyed emcees Precious Davis and Myles Brady AKA the #TransObamas, when it came time to read the names for the Trans 100 Class of 2015, I was shocked to note that in a 2014 year in which trans inclusive non-discrimination ordinances were passed in Houston and Plano and a court case that erased the transphobic Littleton precedent happened, for only ONE Texan (Lauryn Farris) to make the list was a travesty.

It also has the problematic smell of homerism when 8 Chicagoans make the 2015 list, including one of the current board members of the Trans 100. 

Under Toni's original vision, she and Jen didn't allow themselves to be added to either previous Trans 100 class out of transparency

Something else that is problematic was adding Leslie Feinberg posthumously to the list.  

That opens the thorny question of if you add Feinberg, then who else should be added for lifetime work?   Sylvia Rivera?   Marsha P. Johnson?   Marcelle Cook-Daniels?  Alexander John Goodrum?  Where do you draw the line?

Toni's Trans 100 vision also called for the list to diverse not only in ethnic terms, but regionally as well, and it appears that neither happened last night either.

I loved being able to see Tona Brown perform live for the first time ever.  Enjoyed Laura Jane Grace, and seeing Rocco doing his thang on stage as well.   Tiq's keynote was first rate and loved seeing his wife Kim again.
. 
Loved talking to Gloria Allen, and have a standing invite to spend some quality time with her the next time I'm in Chitown.  

I also got the opportunity at the after party at The Glenwood to meet Kristen, our blonde haired  trans ally in the bathroom meme I created from a pic someone sent me.

And thank you for letting me know you appreciate my work as well to all the peeps who told me how much they enjoyed reading TransGriot.

Yes, I'm still an enthusiastic supporter of the Trans 100 for being a FUBU trans community production.  But at the same time I'm concerned about the problematic direction that the Trans 100 has taken in the absence of its visionary creator, who was busy caring for her terminally ill husband.

I hope that in the 2016 edition of the Trans 100, those problematic mistakes won't be made again.

Trans 100 Class Of 2015 Honorees Revealed Next Week

Next Sunday at the Mayne Stage in Chicago, the latest edition of Trans 100 honorees will be revealed in a show hosted by our fave trans couple in Precious Davis and Myles Brady.

The Trans 100 event will not only have our fave trans couple in the house, but will feature keynotes from Tiq Milan and Lana Wachowski and musical performances by Tona Brown, Laura Jane Grace and Rocco Katastrophe

Yeah, in case you're wondering, I was honored in the inaugural 2013 class of Trans 100 honorees.  And thanks to me being in Chicago for a fortuitously timed conference  I will be in the Mayne Stage house for the first time to actually witness the reading of the names in the Trans 100 Class of 2015.

For those of you who won't be in Chicago for it, you can watch the live feed of it.

I'll also be interested to see which Trans Texans join Phyllis Frye, Carter Brown, Katy Stewart (2013), Lou Weaver, Cristan Williams, Sharyn Grayson, Robyn Morgan Collado, Tye West  (2014) and yours truly as Trans 100 honorees.

I'm so looking forward to the Trans 100 reveal.  I'm looking forward to getting another\ opportunity to not only see some old friends , but finally get the opportunity to meet Lana Wachowski and Laura Jane Grace

We'll see what happens next Sunday.

2015 Trans 100 (US) Nominee Deadline Approaching

For those of you who have had dissenting opinions about the last two editions of the Trans 100 list, well here is your opportunity to do something about it besides gripe.

The third edition of the Trans 100 will be revealed in March.  But before we can get to that point we must have a nominee pool so we can get down  to the 100 people who will be honored at the Chicago Trans 100 reveal ceremony.

You have until this Friday, January 23 to get those nominations for the 2015 Trans 100 List in.

The key question to ask iwhen you are considering people to nominate for this honor is this: What is this nominee doing to make life better for the trans community?

All nominees must:
- Self-identify as trans.
- Be actively working to improve the lives of trans people.
- Live in the United States.
- Not have previously appeared on The Trans 100.

We particularly encourage the nomination of individuals who:
- Are doing work that is unsung and/or unseen.
- Are working in areas of multiple intersections of power and privilege.
- Live outside of major population centers (New York, Los Angeles, etc).

The Trans 100 places special consideration on those working in the areas of ostracism elimination, stigma reduction, poverty reduction, furthering the social and economic development of the trans community, and building infrastructure within the trans community.
Nominees can be working at any scale, locally, regionally, or nationally.

Here's the link to the nominations form.

The 2014 Trans 100 List (US)

The names of the 100 people who are 2014 Trans 100 honorees were revealed March 30 in a live event at the Mayne Stage in Chicago.    Now the full list has been compiled and released. 

"I wish to reiterate again that the Trans 100 is not a 'Top 100,' 'Best Of,' or even the result of straight voting by the public or volunteers," Trans 100 co-director Jen Richards writes in the list's foreword. "It is an intentionally curated list of out trans people who are working on trans issues in the United States and having a positive impact. We do not claim to be anything more than this."

Texas was represented on this list with five honorees, Cristan Williams, Lou Weaver and Tye West from Houston, Sharyn Grayson from Dallas and Morgan Robyn Collado from Austin.  

And yeah, I felt we should have had more than that.  We'll have to rectify that next year, Lone Star State trans community.   

Congratulations to all the people who were honored this year including Gloria Allen, who received the inaugural Trans 100 Living Legend Award. 

Now here's the full list of the 2014 Trans 100 Honorees

A. Dionne Stallworth
Adrien Lawyer
Alana Nicole Shola
Alison Gill
Amos Mac
Angel Celeste Colley
Angelica Ross
Askari Gonzalez
Bailey Jay
Bali White
Dr. Ben A. Barres
Blue Montana
Brynn Tannehill
Cameron Thomas Whitley
Carmen Carrera
Causten E. Rodriguez-Wollerman
CeCe McDonald
Charlene Jacqueline Arcila
Charley Burton
Chase Strangio
Chella Isabel Marie Coleman
Cherno Biko
Cheryl Courtney-Evans
Chris Mosier
Chris Paige
Courtney Gray
Cristan Williams
D'Lo
Danielle Nika Askini
Dee Dee Ngozi Chamblee
Dr. Jillian. T. Weiss
Dr. Van Bailey
Drian Juarez
Ezak Perez
Fallon Fox
Gabriel Foster
Hayden Mora
Holiday Simmons
Imogen Binnie
Jamison Green
Jazz
Kiara St. James
Kim Watson
Kingston J. Farady
Kye Allums
Lana Wachowski
Landon Pan
Laura Jane Grace
Rev. Lawrence T. Richardson
Logan Ferraro
Lou Weaver
Minister Louis Mitchell
Lourdes Ashley Hunter
Maria Louise Roman
Mattee Jim
Mauro Sifuentes
Michael David Battle
Mitch Kellaway
Maya Jafer
Micah Bazant
Moof Mayeda
Morgan Robyn Collado
Nancy Nangeroni
Nic Sedillo
Nikki Calma
Octavia Hamlett
Parker T. Hurley
Parker Marie Molloy
Precious Davis
Red Durkin
Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge
Riley Johnson
Rocco 'Katastrophe' Kayiatos
Ryan Li. Dahlstrom
Sarah McBride
Scott Schneider
Sean Coleman
Seth Kirby
Sharyn Grayson
shay(den)
Syd Robinson
tash shatz
TC Tolbert
Tiffany Woods
Tiq Milan
T.J Jourian
Tobi Hill-Meyer
Tom Léger
Tracy Garza
Trystan Reese
Tye West
Valerie Spencer
Vanessa Losey
Vanessa Victoria
Viveka Ray-Mazumder
Vivian Taylor
Wesley Ware
Z. Jae Williams
Zackary Drucker

The 2014 Trans 100: Initial Thoughts

I spent an enjoyable few hours watching the livestream feed of this year's second annual Trans 100 reveal show once again from a sold out Mayne Stage in Chicago.

This year's show opened with performances from 2004 Miss International Queen and Baton Show lounge performer Mimi Marks, Kelly Preston and mistress of ceremonies and 2014 Trans 100 honoree Angelica Ross.

After remarks from Trans 100 co-founder Jen Richards, 2014 Trans 100 honoree Fallon Fox and 2013 Trans 100 honoree Christina Kahrl took the stage to read the first group of 2014 Trans 100 honorees names that included Angelica and Fallon.

2014 Trans 100 honoree Kye Allums then took the stage to deliver his keynote speech, to be followed by 2014 Trans 100 honoree Tiq Milan reading the next group of names that included Kye.

After a break and musical performance, the new feature of the Trans 100 was introduced with 2013 Trans 100 honoree Janet Mock and 2014 Trans 100 honoree Precious Davis giving Gloria Allen the inaugural Trans 100 Living Legend Award.

Geena Rocero then took the stage to read the last group of 2014 Trans 100 honorees before the stage was yielded to 2013 Trans 100 honoree Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler.

Dr KRZ presented the winners of Trans*H4CK Chicago, and they proceeded to describe their winning project for a few moments before Laverne Cox took the stage to deliver her keynote speech.     
      
The night concluded with a performace from trans rapper KC Ortiz.

So what are my initial thoughts as someone who was named to the inaugural 2013 list? 

First, congratulations to everyone who was named to the 2014 Trans 100 list.   I know how I felt when my name was called last year.  I like the idea of opening it up to choose another 100 people to emphasize the fact we have a hell of a lot of people in our community who are out, proud and doing the work to uplift our community. 

Are there going to be people pissed because they didn't make this year's or the 2013 Trans100 list?  Probably.  

All I have to say is if you didn't make it or you are reading this post and think someone's contributions to your trans community were overlooked, when the nominations open for the 2015 Trans 100 List, nominate the people you think should be on it.because that's what I and other did when the nominations window opened for 2014..   Three of the five people I nominated were eventually selected.    The two I submitted that weren't were international trans persons.

The full list will be released to the rest of the world tomorrow,  but here's some of the people listed who jumped out at me.   My fellow Texans Cristan Williams, Lou Weaver, Tye West and Sharyn Grayson.   Veteran activists Jamison Green, Nancy Nangeroni, Valerie Spencer, Jazz (who also became the youngest Trans100 Honoree with her selection BTW), Kim Watson, Cheryl Courtney-Evans, Dee Dee Chamblee, Nikki 'Tita Aida' Calma, Tracy Garza and Lourdes Hunter.

Sarah McBride, Laura Jane Grace, Rocco 'Katastrophe' Kayiatos and Lana Wachowski made it this year, and so did Maria Roman, Brynn Tannehill, CeCe McDonald, Cherno Biko, Holiday Simmons, Kiara St. James, Bali White, Dr. Jillian T. Weiss, Dr. Ben Barres, Dr Van Bailey, Rev Dr Cameron Partridge, and Rev. Lawrence T Richardson.    
   
The Men of BTMI also were representing in Sean Coleman, Charley Burton, and Minister Louis Mitchell. 

Tobi Hill-Meyer, Danielle Askini, Morgan Robyn Collado, Trystan Reese, Octavia Hamlett and TPOCC's Parker T. Hurley also were named. 



The best part of the Trans 100 event is hearing the names of activists we aren't familiar with and getting to know their work because they now have heightened name recognition

Some of my fellow trans Texans I was surprised didn't make it this year were Rev. Carmarian Anderson, Lauryn Farris and Nikki Araguz Loyd.   Rev Anderson is South Regional minister for TransSaints and active in the DFW area.  Lauryn was part of the team that got the non-discrimination ordinance passed in San Antonio, and Nikki had that ground breaking legal win that may have broken the back of Littleton v. Prange.   Tracee McDaniel was another name I was surprised I didn't hear called along with Tona Brown, Monica Stevens, Arianna Lint, and Danielle Castro just to name a few.  

I'll post the full list when it's released tomorrow. 


   

The 2014 Trans 100 Revealed Tonight

At the Mayne Stage tonight in Chicago the second annual Trans 100 event hosted by Angelica Ross will take place starting at 7 PM CDT.   There will be keynote speeches by Laverne Cox and Kye Allums for this highly anticipated and sold out event.  

For those of you in the Chicago are who wanted to see it live, you still can, but you'll have to do what the rest of the US and the world is doing.   We'll be watching the live feed of it from 7-9 PM CDT.   

And for you international trans folks, I would love to see see future Trans 100 type events in your various nations, so please get busy forming your international teams so we can see that happen in 2015.

Who will be the 100 trans people that make the 2014 edition of the Trans 100? 

I know who 100 of them WON'T be.   Me and 'errbody' else who made the inaugural 2013 list will not be on this one because the co-founders of the Trans 100 wanted to highlight a new set of out and proud trans folks who are doing the work of the community. 

Looking forward to checking out the live feed later tonight with notepad in hand to write down this year's honorees.. 

2014 Trans 100 List Revealed Next Weekend

This time next weekend from the Mayne Stage in Chicago we will find out who made the 2014 edition of the Trans 100.

This year's event will be hosted by transgender artist and advocate Angelica Ross.  Actress and advocate Laverne Cox and I Am Enough founder Kye Allums will be in the house at the March 30 live event as keynote speakers.   Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler will also be partnering with the Trans 100 peeps and bringing Trans* H4CK to Chicago in conjunction with the Trans 100 reveal weekend.

“Considering that Trans* H4CK focuses on creating technology for trans* people with the input of trans* people, it makes sense to partner with the Trans 100 in an effort to further highlight transgender activists that are changing the world for the better,” said Dr. Ziegler.

Trans*H4CK Chicago will take place March 28-30

The Trans 100 list intends to shift the coverage of trans issues by focusing on the positive work being accomplished, and providing visibility to those typically underrepresented. The inaugural Trans 100 list was released in 2013 and can be viewed at www.thetrans100.org.

“We’re particularly excited that this year’s list will be an entirely different group than 2013, our way of further showing just how much work is being done, and of growing the Trans 100 into a living resource, not only for trans people, but also organizations the general public looking to better understand our needs,” said Trans 100 Co-Director, Antonia D’orsay.

For those of you who are in the Chicago area, next weekend's Trans 100 Live event is already sold out, but you can watch the live stream of it here from  7:00-9:00 PM CDT. 

So looking forward to seeing the 2014 edition of the Trans 100.

Trans 100 Nomination Deadline For 2014 Edition Rapidly Approaching

The 2014 edition of the Trans 100 has been taking nominations of local and for the first time international trans people who deserve to be recognized for their leadership and active roles in making the trans community a better place.

But if you have some suggestions on who to add to this year's list for 2014, better bust a move on getting that nomination in.   Some of you international trans peeps complained after last year's list was released, so you have no excuse this year to not nominate international transpeople from yours and other nations. 

Nominations for this year's edition close on January 15, Dr MLK, Jr's birthday to help you remember that.

To nominate a  domestic or international trans person for the Trans 100, you can click on this link to handle your nomination business.

I have a few people I think deserve inclusion, and I'm going to be busy getting them nominated.   Hopefully some of you will do the same before January 15.

January 15 Is The Trans 100 Nomination Deadline

After writing more than a few posts about trans people being repeatedly left off of LGBT community lists that were heavy on the lesbian and gay end of the rainbow alphabet and bi, trans and melanin free, it was nice to see Antonia  D'orsay and Jen Richards collaborate on rectifying that problem with the inaugural Trans 100 List

It was an honor and a privilege for me to be included on the initial Trans 100 List, but now it's time to see who will make it to the list that will be released in 2014.  

Nominations have been open for it since October, but now you have less than 30 days to get them in before the January 15 deadline. 

And for you international trans peeps, this year's Trans100 List is open to nominations of international trans people.  Here's Toni to talk about it.

*** 

Attention all PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT TRANS RIGHTS AND PEOPLE:

Hey, it is December 17th. That means there are less than 30 days left to get your nominations in for The Trans 100 for 2013!

Spread the word, my friends and followers! Repost, share, copy and say what you will, but spread the word far and wide!    Less than 30 days left to get in nominations for trans people doing incredible work that deserves to be recognized.

Pay attention to youth activists, to people of color, to veterans, those though of as having disabilities, those in the fights for equality around who strive to improve the lives of people in ways that others overlook.

We want people from *EVERYWHERE* to be nominated. Pay attention there. Immigrant efforts, struggles against the injustice in other nations, the whole thing.

Nominate them all. Go for it. Tell others to nominate people.

The Trans 100 from 2012 have been featured in news stories, highlighted in documentaries, recognized within their fields, and given opportunities to increase the visibility of trans people and the amazing work and change we create every day.

Nominate folks today!

http://thetrans100.com/nominations/

Nominations For 2014 Trans 100 List Open!

It was a tremendous honor for me to be nominated for and eventually be selected to become part of the inaugural list of honorees for the Trans 100 List

Time flies, and it gives me great pleasure to announce that the nominations period for the 2014 Trans 100 List is now open!

So start thinking about and nominating the people in your area who are active, out and proud trans people, and deserve the recognition for their stellar work to benefit the trans community. 

And for you international trans folks not in the USA who wondered why there were no deserving international names on the 2013 Trans 100 list, here's an announcement concerning what y'all need to do to set up your own Trans 100 List to honor the people doing the work in your respective nations in 2014

So yes, looking forward to see who makes the 2014 Trans 100 List here in the States and hopefully see lists from Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Asia-Pacific Rim, Europe, Africa, South America.... 


*** 

This form is to collect nominees for a list of 100 trans activists currently working to make life better for Trans people. The final list is intended as a resource guide and seeks to raise the visibility and awareness of advocates, activists,and those who do their best to improve the lives of trans people.

The Trans 100 is a curated listing from open nominations of the top 100 Trans activists and advocates that are working to make a difference in the daily lives of Trans people,in order to provide attention, contacts, and recognition to those who do the on the ground work of reducing stigma, ending ostracizing, and furthering the social and economic development of Trans people throughout society.

Guidelines:
- Nominees must be living and currently working to improve the lives of trans people.
- Nominees can be working at any scale, locally, regionally, or nationally.
- We would like to see all parts of the country represented, and especially otherwise unsung or only locally known workers.
- We particularly encourage the addition of persons of color.
- Nominees must openly identify as Trans.
- They must have been living at least half the year 2013

Notes:
- Voting is anonymous.
- The list will not be ranked, and the tally will not be publicized.
- Nominees will be contacted by the editors for permission before the list is published.
- International nominations will be forwarded to that nation's working group.

Thank you for participating, and please share this widely!

***

Click on this link to nominate someone for the 2014 Trans 100 List

Autostraddle Salutes The Trans 100 List Women

The Trans 100 List is already getting the desired results of changing the conversation around trans people inside and outside our community.   They were introduced to 100 talented people who are not only doing things in their own ways to uplift the trans community, but in the process are making the communities they live in better places as well.


Check out this Autostraddle article in which they focused attention on the 51 people on the list that identify as girls like us and what they had to say about it.    

Buzzfeed offered some brief bios of each honoree, but other news outlets have mostly just published a list of names. We here at Autostraddle wanted to feature a bit more in-depth information and some actual words from the many inspirational humans on this list — more specifically, from the ladies. To that end, we've erred carefully to include only those who clearly identify as women, but there are heaps of genderqueer folks, trans men and non-binary-identified people on the list that you should check out, though, so GET ON IT!!!

This is the quote from me that appears on the Autostraddle post and it's from a TransGriot post I wrote for National Coming Out Day on October 11, 2012 .

"But as I’ve discovered ever since I began my own transition in 1993, my life not only began when I did so and got comfortable in my own skin, my family expanded. We have a proud history that is still unfolding every day. I have out and proud trans brothers and sisters all over the world now. I have trans elders who are eager to pass down their hard won knowledge to me so I can do the same for you. I love the fascinating journey of discovery I’ve been on."

Speaking of journeys of discovery, get to know the 51 diverse girls like us profiled in this post.

The Inaugural Trans 100 List (US)

Well peeps, this is the moment everyone's anxiously been waiting for, the unveiling of the inaugural Trans 100 List (US).   This one is going to be US centric because as Toni D'orsay, the visionary person behind it says:

It all comes down to something I have said before: it is not my place to step in and decide for other nations who the best people doing the hardest work are. I am an unabashed citizen of the US, and while I have some cultural competence with other cultures and countries, it is still an outsider’s perspective and flawed and it can’t possibly be as decent as the ideas of those who are living there locally.

So international trans folks, while the TransGriot and others in the States do try to keep up with the trans activists in other regions of the world doing trans human rights work and in many cases they are our friends,  you would still know better than us who is doing the work in your various nations and the trans persons inside your borders worthy of recognition. 

Besides, I'd love to see a British Trans 100, an Australasian, Canadian or other national ones.  I'd even like to see regional ones such as an Asian-Pacific Rim, African, Caribbean, Latin American, African or South American ones.

The process of putting your national or regional specific lists can also serve as a community building exercise and facilitate fostering contacts across borders that will help with future trans human rights work..


But as Mr. T would say, enough jibber-jabber..  Here's The 2013 Trans 100 List with some award winning blogger y'all know on it.  

The Trans 100:

Abigail Jensen
Aidan Key
Alexis Martinez
Allyson Robinson
Andre Perez
Andy Karol
Andy Marra
Anna Anthropy
Asher Kolieboi
Avory Faucette
Bamby Salcedo
Baylie Roth
Ben Hudson
Blake Alford
Bree Sutherland
Carter Brown
Cecilia Chung
Channyn Lynne Parker
Charlie Solidum
Che Gossett
Christina Kahrl
Cristina Herrera
Claire Swinford
Diego Sanchez
Drago Renteria
Dru Levasseur
Earline Budd
Eli Erlick
ellie june navidson
Elliot Fukui
Erin Armstrong
Harmony Santana
Harper Jean Tobin
Ida Hammer
Ignacio Rivera
Ja-briel Walthour
Jaan Williams
Janet Mock
Jenn Burleton
Jenny Boylan
Justus Eisfeld
Kate Bornstein
Kate Sosin
Katherine Cross
Katie Burgess
Katy Stewart
Kay Barrett
Kelley Winters
KOKUMO
Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler
Kylar Broadus
Laverne Cox
Lincoln Rose
Loan Tran
Mara Keisling
Marisa Richmond
Marsha Botzer
Masen Davis
Matt Kailey
Mel Goodwin
Mia Tu Mutch
Michelle Enfield
Miss Major Griffin-Gacy
Monica Roberts
Monika Mhz
Namoli Brennet
Nicholas Love
Nick Teich
Niko Kowell
Nino Dorenzo
Ola Osaze
Owen Daniel-McCarter
Paisley Currah
Pauline Park
Phyllis Frye
Qwo-Li Driskill
Rebecca Allison
Rebecca Kling
Reina Gossett
Ruby Corado
Ryan Blackhawke
Ryka Aoki
S. Bear Bergman
Sadie Baker
Sasha Alexander Goldberg
Sassafras Lowrey
Sean-Michael Gettys
Shane Morgan
Shawn Demmons
Spencer Bergstedt
Stephen Ira
Susan Stryker
Tei Okamato
Tracie O'Brien
Trisha Lee Holloway
Trudie Jackson
Van Binfa
Van Nguyen
Yoseñio V. Lewis
Zander Keig

And thanks Toni and Jen and the curators for all the hard work you engaged in as you put this together the list and all the people who busted their butts to make the Trans 100 event in Chicago last Sunday an unqualified success.

     

Janet Mock's Trans 100 Closing Speech

I saw the Trans 100 event live feed on Sunday and like the rest of you am anxiously waiting for the curators to finish their work getting the video ready to post along with the final touches for the Trans100 List itself.

Once that's done and it's available, I'll be posting it here.  

But in the interim, thanks to Meggan Sommerville and her Trans Girl At the Cross blog, there's video of Janet Mock's eloquent closing speech from Sunday night's Trans 100 event.  

Trans 100 List And Video Coming Soon

TransGriot Note: If you're wondering when the video of the Trans 100 Chicago kickoff event and the Trans 100 List itself will be posted, here's curator Jen Richards to explain the delay.   It'll go up on TransGriot as soon as it becomes available.


First and foremost, thank you all for your support and feedback. It will likely take me several weeks to properly express the gratitude I feel for each and every of the many whose passion, skill, and presence made this effort possible.

I’d like to address the two most common questions I’m being asked: when will the list be ready, and when will the video be released?

The will be available sometime in the next few days. I wish I could be more specific, but securing the permission and attaining the approved hothead, bio and links for each of the 100 selections has turned out to be more of a logistical challenge than we expected. One of the many, many lessons we’re learning in our first attempt here. Please bear in mind that since the sharable list can’t be edited once released, we feel it’s important to do this right than do it quickly.

Likewise, release the video, either an archive of the livestream or the edited footage from My Zen Studios requires time and the input of many parties. As with the list, we feel the same urgency you do, and will do our absolute best to expedite the materials so you can bear witness, enjoy and share.

Again, my heartfelt thanks to all of you.
Jen

No Joke- I've Been Named To The Inaugural Trans 100 List!

The kickoff event for the inaugural Trans 100 list took place at the Mayne Stage in Chicago last night.  The sold out event was streamed live online.  

So for those of you who had other business this Easter weekend and are wondering what's this Trans 100 List Moni is talking about,  it's an annual listing of 100 Trans individuals from all over the country who are currently alive and active in the work of making the lives of Trans people better. It is a curated listing, with nominations solicited from the general public.

The kickoff event was emceed by KOKUMO, and in addition to the stellar entertainment lineup that featured Namoli Brennet, Joe Stevens and the show's emcee KOKUMO singing a song from her EP, it also featured inspiring speeches from Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler, Laverne Cox and a closing event one from Janet Mock

But the highlight of the historic evening was the unveiling of the inaugural Trans 100 list of people doing the work to advance trans human rights in the United States.

Heard a lot of familiar names as the lists were read in alphabetical order by first name and some I had to go 'who's that?' on.   And as the sixth list of ten names was read, just after Miss Major came yours truly.

While there were some trans pioneers, trans elders and long time activists like Andy Marra, Dr. Kelley Winters, Dr Susan Stryker, Cecilia Chung, Dragosani Renteria,  Dr. Marisa Richmond,  Kylar Broadus, S. Bear Bergman, Diego Sanchez, Pauline Park, Paisley Currah, Bamby Salcedo, Ruby Corado, Earline Budd just to name a few on the list, we also had Kokumo, Dr Kortney Ryan Ziegler, Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Namoli Brennet, CeCe McDonald and many up and coming activists on this diverse national list.

It was not only ethnically diverse, it was also geographically diverse.  Not all of the peeps on the list reside on I-5, I-95 or inside the Capitol Beltway     

Speaking of geographic diversity, Lone Star bragging alert.  In addition to moi, there were three other Texans on this list.  The 'godmother of the trans rights movement' in Judge Phyllis Frye, BTMI (Black Trans Men Inc) founder Carter Brown and Katy Stewart of Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT).

Do I accept the honor of being on this inaugural Trans 100 List?   You damned skippy I do.  After all the times in this space I've griped about trans people being ignored when trans-free LGBT lists are put together and especially trans people of color, it was wonderful to see the community come together to create this event and the curators take time out of their busy schedules to make Antonia D'orsay's dream come to life that Jen Richards co-signed on.

Once it's finalized, the list will be posted at the Trans 100 website.   They are also working on getting the Trans 100 kickoff event video posted as well   Once both tasks are done I'll post it to TransGriot.

I hope to see more deserving trans Texans on next year's list such as Minister Carmarion Anderson, Lou Weaver, Meghan Stabler, Cristan Williams, Diamond Stylz, Josephine Tittsworth, Nell Gaither, and Dr Oliver Blumer.  

If there is someone you think should be on next year's list, nominate them.

Chicago Trans 100 Kickoff Event Live Feed

If you're in the TransGriot's shoes and couldn't be in Chicago (or Phoenix darn it), or couldn't get tickets for the sold out Trans 100 Launch Event featuring the talents of KOKUMO, Janet Mock, Dr Kortney Ryan Ziegler, Namoli Brennet and Joe Stevens, now you can be in the room.

When the Trans 100 event starts at 7 PM CDT it will have a live feed you can watch.  You knew Moni was going to make it easy on you TransGriot readers to find it, so just click on this link to watch the action LIVE from the Mayne Stage.

And yep, I'm wondering myself who will be the folks on the initial Trans 100 List.   Looking forward to the day when we get to see multiple national and international trans lists.

You can tune in tonight to find out the 100 trans people who were honored for the inaugural US list. 

Who Will Be On The Initial Trans 100 List?

The initial Trans 100 List will debut with kickoff events in Chicago and Phoenix, and after a tough week with trans people being attacked, HRC pissing off the trans community with the flag flap at the SCOTUS rally, an unjust bill advancing in Arizona and Whyte Womyn Going Wyld, it'll be nice to have some positive news concerning our community for a change.

Really looking forward to seeing who the curators finally chose to grace the initial list after sorting through the 500 nominations submitted. 

I understand I was one of the people nominated so we'll see if I made the final cut.

Thanks to This Is H.O.W. and We Happy Trans for bringing Antonia D'orsay's idea that Jen Richards liked to life and all the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to wade through those nominations and come up the final list.

I'm glad this is going to be an annual list, especially since we trans folks and our contributions tend to be ignored far too often when LGBT ones are put together that are heavily LG centric with a B thrown in as an afterthought.

I'm looking forward to the day when folks in other countries compile their own Trans 100 type lists so the people that do the trans human rights work in their nations get the recognition they deserve for it.

Looking forward to tomorrow when the Trans 100 List is revealed.

Trans 100 Kickoff Event In Chicago Sunday

Too bad I can't be there for this one, but for those of you in the Chicagoland area, you'll get an opportunity to roll over to the Mayne Stage on March 31 and see Janet Mock, Dr Kortney Ryan Ziegler, performances by Namoli Brennet and Joe Stevens in the The Trans 100 List Kickoff Event. 

It's being hosted by Kokumo and runs from 7-9 PM CDT and it's free, but you'll need to register because my sources tell me seats are going fast.  

March 31 happens to also be the Trans Day of Visibility and this event is commemorating the launch of the Trans 100 List that is a joint effort of Phoenix based This Is How and We Happy Trans.

Looking forward to it.   Hey, I'm curious to know who made the inaugural list,.too