Broadly Launches Gender Spectrum Image Collection

When I started TransGriot back in 2006, one of the problems I had was trying to find photos to illustrate the trans-specific  concepts I wanted to talk about or even photos of our trans events.

As the years went by, that got better in terms of the trans event coverage, but there are still times when editors mistakenly use the rainbow flag instead of the trans pride flag to illustrate a specifically trans themed article, or they resort to the insulting right wing practice of using unflattering drag queen photos to do so.

Because there has been an increase at stock photo sites of inquiries for transgender themed photos, was happy to discover that Broadly has launched the Gender Spectrum Collection.

It is a photo library of over 180 images taken by Zackary Drucker of trans and non binary models that we can use to better illustrate our written work.

This started because of an issue that cropped up in an article that Diana Tourjee wrote in August 2015 for Broadly a few months before she later joined them as a writer concerning tucking.   Because there was a still surprising dearth of stock trans themed photos at the time,  the editors went with a bottom shot of a man.

That's a problem as a trans feminine writer,  When Tourjee later joined the staff she asked them to change the photo on that article.When I had that dilemma with TransGriot articles, I would use cis feminine photos to illustrate those concepts, and cis masculine ones for trans masculine discussions

The Gender Spectrum Collection is a much needed and necessary step forward toward more inclusive media coverage of trans and gender non binary people.  It is also a blessing that some of the photos are of trans masculine people because far too often they are erased from the stories and narratives talked about in our community.

 I was also happy to note as I perused the collection that there are images of trans and non binary people of color as part of it

The Gender Spectrum Collection is also important because representation matters.  We also have to consider that when I or any person writes an article about a trans person, it may be the first time the individual reading the article sees a trans or gender non binary person.

That's why the images used to illustrate those articles are just as important as the words written by the writer to convey those concepts talked about in the article.

First impressions matter, especially when we are now in a time in which evilgelicals, the TERF's, the Republican Party and conservative media are openly colluding to sow  as much disinformation and lies about transgender people as they can get away with.

I hope this image library continues to grow, and I know I will be using the photos that are applicable to this and any future TransGriot posts.

2013 TDOR's Around The World

(TransGriot Note)  from 2013 TDOR in Myanmar.

The 2013 cycle of TDOR's came to a close around November 24, and the photos from those events are being posted in various spots around The Net.   While we can debate about whether the TDOR memorials are 'too somber', one thing that isn't up for discussion is that the 238 people who died due to anti-trans violence need to be remembered and there needs to be an end to the unacceptable levels of violence aimed at our people.

We also need to redouble our efforts toward bringing change in our various nations that gives them hope for the future and reduces the intolerably high suicide rates for transpeople to zero.  

Let's never forget the people who died this year and in previous years as we continue to work toward a world that will make the TDOR's obsolete.

Turkey




New York, NY, USA




Louisville, KY, USA



Rome, Italy



Manchester, UK



Dallas, TX, USA 

Black, Trans and Beautiful

My Black trans family members are not only beautiful, but intelligent and talented people coming up with creative ways to advance our trans human rights struggle forward while living their lives authentically.

So since I haven't done one of these photo essay posts in a while, thought it was past time for that to happen on the blog again. 



The three Ks (Kylar, Kye and Kortney) at BTMI 2013 in Dallas, TX





Tona Brown playing piano



Musician Koko Jones




Cheryl Courtney-Evans outside the iconic Stonewall Inn

Cassidy's NoH8 Photo

Cassidy Lynn Campbell had a historic win back on September 20 when her Marina High School classmates voted her as their homecoming queen.  

She became the first ever out trans feminine student to accomplish that feat, but the joy was short lived as the clown car of transphobic haters and bullies, including NOM spokesbigot Bryan Fischer attacked her.

But that transphobic hate was met with a tsunami of love and support for Cassidy that included an invitation from NOH8 campaign photographer Adam Bouska to take part in a campaign photo shoot.

Cassidy, you were a queen before you even earned the sash and crown to go with it.   No matter how much vitriol the haters have flung at you, it still doesn't change the fact that you are and forever will be the Marina High homecoming queen and that a majority of your classmates voted for you to have that title.

You also have an international community of people who have your back. 

Congratulations on the photo shoot! 

Trans Models-Been Here, Still Doing That

Since there are some peeps who have the misguided thought that trans models are a second decade of the 21st century phenomenon, just though it was time to drive home the point that trans models have been around since the 60's.

April Ashley

Tracy Africa Norman

Caroline Cossey

Choi Han Bit

Lauren Foster

Roberta Close

Chamila Askansa

Dumb Republifool Voters

Will they finally wake up to the fact before November 6 they are being played once again?

Probably not.   The Fox Noise watching vanillacentric unwashed masses have been getting bamboozled for nearly 150 years, and they probably will fall for the Hate on Obama okey doke again.

Three Beautiful Ladies

Love this pic of my sisters Janet Mock, Laverne Cox and Isis King.   You are not only beautiful, smart and talented in your own rights, you are also doing yeoman's work in busting stereotypes about who and what African-American transwomen are and what we can accomplish if just given the opportunity to do so.

My Sisters Are Beautiful,Too! Part 2

We African descended transwomen get hit with that 'unwoman' meme just like our cis sisters.  When the discussion turns to beautiful transwomen, it sure is interesting that African descended ones get left out of it far too often and I'm sick of it..

Not today.  Not at TransGriot.  My sisters are beautiful, too!  The world better recognize that fact..  

Yo Governor Goodhair...

You may not want to hold your arm out like that at too many of your GOP events.  Reminds people who actually made above average grades in history too much of some European dictator.

I'm just sayin'....

My Trans Sisters Are Beautiful Black Women, Too

I've noted several blogs across the Afrosphere that have responded to Kanazawa's bigotry masquerading as pseudo science by posting pictures of beautiful Black women.   So since I talk about African descended transpeople and posted some pics to make that point a while back, thought I'd do my part to whack two falsehoods at the same time by posting some more photos of my beautiful Black trans sisters.    

 Isis King

Janet Mock

Laverne Cox

Stasha Sanchez

Tona Brown

Cydne Kimbrough

Stacey Blahnik Lee

Tracy Africa Norman

Audrey Mbugua

Angelica Ross

Domanique Shappelle


TransGriot Note: The picture gracing the top of this post is Carole Small.   She was quoted in a 1967 JET magazine article on the eve of her SRS as stating  '"Black women in America are the luckiest on the face of the earth and it will be marvelous to be one."   


While I might quibble about the 'lucky' part, she was right about the its marvelous to be one.