The Power of Local Trans Organizing

Speaker 1 [00:00:09] Hey fam, it’s me, Imara. Welcome to the TransLash Podcast, a show where we tell trans stories to save trans lives. Today we’re diving into the power of local organizing, which is critical in this moment. How trans people are coming together in their communities right now to fight for survival, joy, and justice will determine what’s ahead for us in the future. With attacks on trans rights ramping up across the country, local grassroots activism has never been more important. But beyond resistance, trans organizations are also creating networks of care, mutual aid, and empowerment that are changing lives and also helping people get to the other side. So today we’ll talk with two leaders about the intrinsic hope of organizing in hostile environments, what it takes to sustain this work, and how we can all step up to support trans-led movements. from the ground up. First I’ll be speaking with Max Moitz, who’s based in Iowa, about the repeal of civil rights protections in that state and what they and others are doing to help create alternative networks of care and support.

Speaker 2 [00:01:20] When more of folks’ basic needs are being met, they are more able to be involved in their local community.

Speaker 1 [00:01:26] Then I will be talking with DaraNisha Duncan-Boyd about how her work to empower trans women of color in Birmingham, Alabama has lessons for us all.

Speaker 3 [00:01:36] The work is actually getting down in the trenches, killing out people, freeing out people, and most of all reaching out.

Speaker 1 [00:01:45] But before we get to these two inspiring conversations, let’s start out as always with some trans joy. There is no better source of joy in this moment than the local organizers who are showing up every day to protect our community. Aria Shay is a passionate leader who’s making a real difference in the lives of trans people in Southern Idaho. He’s the founder and board chair of Trans Affirm, a pioneering organization working to improve access to gender affirming care in the gym state. Ariya has led the group in distributing free binders and other gender affirming gear, as well as compiling lists of trans-inclusive resources in Idaho. And in this dark moment, Trans Affirms’ annual resource fair is a true beacon of hope for trans Idahoans. Here’s Ariya to tell us more.

Speaker 4 [00:02:57] We’re one of the very few organizations that give out transition wear for completely free. And we have like four huge dressing rooms that we take onto almost every event. So it’s like a pop-up dressing room if somebody needs to try it on. And it’s always really nice because seeing somebody walk out of this dressing room with this new binder and these new transition wear and clothes and things that make them happy and seeing especially like trans youth or just. any trans person who’ve never felt affirmed in their life come out and start crying because this was out of their price range. This was something they never knew where to get. They didn’t know what to do. This is the type of care that always mattered most to me is being able to see somebody look in the mirror and start crying and hugging us, telling us, I can’t believe that I get this for free. I can’t believe I get this and get to take this home and feel right now affirmed in who I am.

Speaker 1 [00:03:57] Araya Shea, you are trans joy. Do you know someone like Araya who embodies trans joy? Well, send us an email at trans slash underscore podcast at trans slash.org and make sure to include their name, contact information and why you think they should get a shout out in a future trans joy segment. And with that, let’s get into my conversation with Max. Let’s get into this important conversation with Iowa based advocate, Max Moitz. Max is a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ plus rights and liberation as the executive director of One Iowa and One Iowa Action, Max leads efforts to uplift LGBTQ plus people in the state through advocacy, education, and direct support. I’m especially excited to talk to Max about their role as a board member of the Iowa Trans Mutual Age Fund founded in 2021. This group is dedicated to providing small grants to Iowans seeking gender-affirming care. And Max’s commitment to this work doesn’t stop there. They’re also a certified community health worker and a practicing gender doula, helping trans people navigate the process of coming out and accessing gender-affirming care. Max, thank you so much for joining us.

Speaker 2 [00:05:16] Thank you so much for having me. This is really exciting.

Speaker 1 [00:05:19] When we talked about, you know, this episode on our end, it was about focusing on kind of the local organizing efforts that communities are engaged in responding to this moment. But before we talk about that, because, you know, that will be the place where most trans people have contact with other people, given what’s going on, and will be an important resource, I’m wondering if we can start out by talking about the Iowa legislature’s decision. to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, meaning that trans people would no longer have protections under state law in Iowa. Can you talk us a little bit about how that came about?

Speaker 2 [00:06:07] Yes, so the recent repeal of gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act is something that actually came very quickly. So we added gender identity to the Iowa Civil Rights Act in 2007, and it’s been there ever since. At that time, it was a bipartisan effort. While in the past, we have had people float bills to try to remove it, it’s always had a lot of backlash, specifically from other Republican legislators. So it was really surprising that we saw it introduced with additional parts of the bill that would make it so that folks can’t change their gender marker on their birth certificate and some other stipulations. So what we saw is within a week, we saw the bill be introduced with all of these really challenging, harmful stipulations. We saw it move through the House and the Senate. And then we saw it be signed by the governor very, very quickly. So in the past, we have effectively killed this bill. We have rallied people. We have put on the pressure. We have worked with businesses in Iowa to also kill the bill. And we were very effective at this time. It moved very quickly and had a lot of support in the Iowa legislature. Should also be noted that we have a Republican governor, and we also have Republican super majorities in the house and the Senate. So. they can do whatever they set their mind to. And so this bill moved very quickly. And although we are always anticipating things like this happening in a hostile state like Iowa, we were not prepared for how quickly they would push things through.

Speaker 1 [00:07:45] I think that you make a really important point that there was bipartisan support for this in 2007, which was not, you know, all that long ago, even though for some of our listeners who are in their teens, that may be before you were born, but for, for, you know, it wasn’t, it still wasn’t that long ago, it was bipartisan support. And you know, in what, 12 years later or whatever, 14 years later, there’s been this dramatic swing where it is introduced and passed within a week. across all layers of government. And that’s normally resolved for things that are emergencies, right, like the way in which they moved this bill.

Speaker 2 [00:08:25] Absolutely. And it seems to me that it was not, when the bill wasn’t originally introduced, it was not necessarily popular with all Republicans. We didn’t see a complete support of the bill. But, of course, as we saw there be a lot of pressure from the public to kill the bill, we didn’t see that same pressure from businesses that we have in the past. A lot of corporations have stepped back in the DEI space and they didn’t step up for Grands Iowans. And so I do think that’s part of the reason it moved very quickly. And even though we tried to work on amendments, ways to reduce harm within the bill, ultimately realized that they had every intention of moving it through very, very quickly. So it was hard to organize around that as well.

Speaker 1 [00:09:10] I mean, and what you are detailing for us are the consequences of the change in the national environment within your state, right? So we have a very hostile federal government. I think that that’s putting it politely when it comes to trans people. We have corporations who have moved away from a commitment to diversity in part because of and accelerated by this new administration. And then we have the shift in technology companies, which shifts the discourse around us in some pretty profound ways. And all of that has manifested in your estate with very, very, very real consequences for trans Iowans.

Speaker 2 [00:09:53] Absolutely. I think that it can’t be ignored that in the past we’ve had large businesses, there are many insurance companies for example that are based in Des Moines where our capital is that have you know come through and stepped up and over the past five years we’ve seen this exponential growth of anti-LGBTQ legislation in Iowa where we used to be kind of a common sense a state that focused on fairness. But ever since we’ve seen this shift in our legislature, in our governor, we have seen this movement towards more and more hostility, and we’ve seen businesses back away from speaking on that too. So when we look at DEI rollbacks in organizations, that also impacts things at the legislature, because businesses and corporations that used to talk to us and lobby with us won’t take a phone call. So I think that that’s also been challenging, and I think. It’s really indicative of the way that this bill doesn’t come from the constituents of Iowa. We had 2,500 people in the Capitol in response to this bill. This is the biggest protest that’s ever happened in the history of our state Capitol. And these were all constituents. These were all people that did not want this bill to move through. And we know that the people didn’t want this. And so It makes it that much more disheartening because we know that Iowans, you know, the average Iowan has our back, but just not our elected officials.

Speaker 1 [00:11:21] How did community come together to respond to this? So even though it happened in a week, I saw news reports that there were thousands of people in the state Capitol that turned out to protest. Can you just talk a little bit about the way in which the community responded to this kind of freight train of a bill?

Speaker 2 [00:11:39] So one of the things that’s interesting within my work at One Iowa is that One Iowa was originally founded as a marriage equality organization. So we’ve been around for about 20 years or so, and Iowa was the third state in the country to have marriage equality. And so there has been, at least in my lifetime, there’s been kind of a larger narrative of, you know, we support people, we have a rich history of being a relatively progressive state for the Midwest. So I think that’s important to understand as the backdrop of this, because what we saw was a lot of LGBTQ folks that got involved with marriage equality that are now retiring. We saw people from other organizations like Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, ACLU of Iowa, and we have never seen so many people show up for us. I think the other thing to keep in mind is that At no point in Iowa have we seen Democrats step back from LGBTQ issues, which is not the truth in all states. So I think that that’s important to keep in mind too, because in many other states, Democrats are waffling on trans issues. They did not do that here. They were very, very strong in their dedication. So what I really saw was people that came out to the Capitol that have never been there before. We saw dozens of trans folks give their testimony and show up. And we’ve seen collaboration from the faith communities. We’ve seen collaboration from, of course, Democrats, but also all the other state-based orgs and also national orgs. We had some of the national LGBTQ orgs bring attention to this issue as well, like advocates for trans equality, for example. And usually people don’t think about states like Iowa. So it meant a lot that this is something that people are paying attention to.

Speaker 1 [00:13:29] I mean, I think that that’s the hopeful part for the future, what you’ve just described, right? Community coming together quickly, more people than ever than before turning out, even though there was less time. You know, Democrats in your party continuing to support. And those are kind of hopeful signs for the future, even in the midst of this very real and very consequential thing that’s happened to trans people in the state. So that then means that sort of the other part. of your life is essentially really important, which is that as there begin to be more closures and threats from the state, the way in which trans people are coming together to support each other through becoming themselves and then living our lives are more important. They’re just going to be more important. Can you talk a little bit about what has happened since November with respect to mutual aid in the state. And what are some of the needs that you are seeing that have emerged that you didn’t necessarily see before?

Speaker 2 [00:14:35] Well, I think that in Iowa, we have been fairly red for a while. So the context in which the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid was founded, you know, we found it in 2021, and that context still feels very relevant for today. But I would say that mutual aid, what we have seen is a dramatic increase in need. This time last year, I would be disbursing aid out to 60 trans Iowans a month. We disbursed between $10,000 and $12,000 a month. And now we’re seeing upwards of 150 applications a month. So it’s very hard to keep up with that demand. We’ve also had some like ad hoc cycles pop up. So after the election, for example, there’s a lot of fear around government identity documents being updated for good reason. So we had folks that really needed that support. So we added in an application cycle to meet that need. So I have seen people that are trying to make sure that they get the gender affirming care they need. So they need support with that. I know that folks are still worried about identity documents and trying to change things as quickly as possible when our options for doing so are increasingly limited. And I’m also seeing that a lot of trans folks are applying for aid for things that we can’t cover or don’t currently cover like rent, groceries, utilities. So one of the things that I’m thinking about with a bill that makes it legal to discriminate is how are we gonna support folks with housing and rent and can additional mutual aid infrastructure be built around that as well?

Speaker 1 [00:16:11] That’s right. And even food assistance. I mean, I think that if you allow the state to discriminate, the state can discriminate. So they can say, you know, no access to food assistance in the state with state dollars, no access to state healthcare. They can do all of these things. And we’re seeing the way in which the president and the people gathered around him, including Elon Musk are finding ways to identify and target and remove trans people across the board. So with that, what are you thinking about? and Do you feel like you’re getting the support from community and from allies in order to be able to provide this higher level of support request? I mean, 100% in one year.

Speaker 2 [00:16:57] Absolutely. I do think that we’re seeing an increased awareness of mutual aid. I really think the primary silver lining here is that folks are continually being radicalized by what’s happening around them. Folks that haven’t in the past really known what mutual aid is or have not been really connected with mutual aid are starting to pay attention because I’ll never forget, for example, at One Iowa, we have a director of policy and advocacy, Keenan Crowe. They have been doing this work for over a decade at the state capital. But when we saw the gender affirming care ban for minors two years ago, they donated to the fund and I just texted them and said, thank you so much. And they said, of course, when the systems fail us, mutual aid is there. And I knew that, but I’d never heard someone say it so succinctly. So I bring that up because I’m seeing people have an increased awareness that mutual aid is the way that they can. have autonomy in the way that they are donating and the way that they’re engaging in their community. And so folks that would not in the past ever donate to a place like a mutual aid org are now tapping in. So I do think that with that increased demand becomes increased awareness that this is necessary and vital. I think that that’s very special because I really believe in mutual aid. That’s why I founded the fund. And I believe that mutual aid is gonna have to be the path forward. It always has been for the trans community. Of course, we see this historically, but it’s wonderful to see allies to your question show up and say, okay, like how can I get money directly to a trans person? Oh, this mutual aid fund can do that. And we have folks that apply to the fund every single month, rely on us every single month. And we are continuing to try to expand as much as we can. to meet the needs of folks within kind of the gender affirming care space and all the different things that that can include. So I will say that with the way that things are being radicalized nationwide and in our government we are also seeing our neighbors become radicalized and show up in different ways and I think that that’s really wonderful and so we’re trying to make sure that we’re continuing to explain to people like your dollar does this. and it goes directly to a trans person. And I think that that’s very powerful and people want that kind of opportunity to support the trans community.

Speaker 1 [00:19:24] What occurs to me is you’re talking about these twin forces, that is the combination of, as we’ve said, what’s going on in the state, and then also the growing and enduring cost of living crisis, which we know is going to increase because of the imposition of tariffs on basically everybody that will have real world consequences on the price of food, on the price of everyday goods for people. And because trans people are really often price sensitive because of economic marginalization. I mean, the need’s only gonna grow over time.

Speaker 2 [00:19:59] One of the things that I will do is if somebody applies for aid and it’s for like rent, we don’t personally, like we can’t apply rent assistance, although there’s other mutual aid orgs that can. One of the things I will say is instead of just like saying no to their application, I’ll email them and say like, do you get any kind of care? Do you buy clothes or wigs or makeup? Like any of that will cover and take the burden off of you for that. So we are really trying to be flexible in that as well. We just don’t have the infrastructure for rent relief and I know that that’s a whole different level of fundraising and getting out aid, but I’m always trying to be creative with folks on how we can get them the aid that we can as easily as possible. I also think it’s important that like our, to your point about a lot of trans folks experiencing the burden of things like tariffs, increased cost of living, inflation. One thing I will also note is that a lot of trans folks will come to the fund for aid and they’re not used to being able to access aid so easily. So if you are constantly down the rabbit hole of SNAP, WIC, things like that, you know that it’s really hard to access that. But for us, we have a very low barrier application. So I think that that’s also really helpful because we’re flexible, we wanna get people aid. And I think that that’s surprising. And I also think that it helps folks understand that we’re trying to show up for them and meet them where they’re at as well. So we’re of course limited in what we can do, but we’re always trying to figure out how we can meet people where they’re at.

Speaker 1 [00:21:37] For people that are applying for things like gender affirming care and increase there, what are you seeing? Is it because people are finding increased difficulty in getting gender affirming care covered by insurance companies or by the state? Kind of what are those requests, you know, broadly, not specifically, but broadly, what are you seeing?

Speaker 2 [00:21:57] I know I mentioned earlier the need to change government identity documents. We cover that. So that was a huge need. Of course, since that ban on gender affirming care a few years ago, one of the ways that we opened up the fund in a new category was travel to leave the state for care. And that’s for adults and for youth. So of course, we opened up that travel fund because youth and their families need to leave and that’s a huge cost burden on them. But also we knew that within my role as a doula, I am very connected with a lot of the providers that provide gender affirming care in the state. We don’t have a lot of surgeons. We don’t have a lot of people that can provide very specialized care. And so we also support adults in travel as well because increasingly those doctors aren’t staying here. They don’t wanna stay in Iowa. So we are trying to meet that need. That’s a huge need that has developed in the last year or so. But I would also say the need has increased overall for ways that people can access gender-affirming care that’s not medical. So we cover clothing and wigs and makeup as well. We also work with a local organization called Common Love, which is a pop-up that provides free clothing, makeup, binders, that kind of stuff to trans and LGBTQ folks. And so we have a process with them where folks can buy binders, buy bras, buy stuff. like that day, and we fund that as well. So we’re just trying to help folks access the care that’s gonna make them feel the most okay. Because if you don’t think, or you don’t feel like you can safely medically transition in Iowa, which is completely fair, we still want to like help folks get clothing or things that are gonna make them feel more like themselves. So that’s also increased as well. is folks that are saying, you know, I can’t get surgery. I know that I can’t really start hormones right now, but it would be great if I had, you know, makeup or a binder or something like that. So I do think that that’s a huge change in the need as well. But yeah, between government identity documents, travel and other ways to transition or affirm your gender, we’ve seen all of those categories increase.

Speaker 1 [00:24:12] What for you is the link between what’s happening in politics with regards to organization and the mutual aid that you are providing? Like, because sometimes receiving help from someone can be the entry point to engagement in politics and democracy. I think about, for example, the Black Panther Party, which fed people and fed kids, and so then the parents are coming. And then you engage the parents about a conversation. The next thing you know, like they are going to political meetings and that sort of thing. So I’m just wondering if you see that happening as well, if there’s a connection or is it just sort of separate? Like there’s mutual aid and you’re doing that and people who receive mutual aid receive mutual aid. And then there’s, you know, what’s happening in terms of pushing back against authoritarianism in your state is in another category.

Speaker 2 [00:25:03] I think that both are true, so there are certainly people that receive aid just to move through their lives, but what I have seen is because I have kind of these two roles and spaces that I’m in, often some of the more generally progressive groups that you wouldn’t think would be engaged in mutual aid have picked up our work and have started to share what we do. in their spaces as well. So I’m thinking about like large works, like, of course, like one eye away work there. So there’s that awareness and we’re always pushing out those resources and things like that. But also, you know, the ACLU and organizations like that that we wouldn’t always collaborate with. I think that being able to be in both those spaces is a huge boon because we’re getting out this word to more people. But I also think there’s something to be said for when more of folks’ basic needs are being met, they’re more able to be involved in their local community. Of course we can’t meet all of somebody’s needs within the amount that we disperse, but I do think that if you don’t have to worry about that $200 for your HRT, you can be engaged in other things. And so I do think that, especially when we talk about low-income trans folks, that makes a huge difference. And also, I think too, I hear so often from our applicants, especially parents of trans kids, that our work makes it so that they feel like they have a place in Iowa. And I know from the years of organizing that I’ve done that people clock out of organizing and activism when they don’t think anyone’s fighting for them and when they don’t think that there’s a place for them where they live. And so I do think that any organization that’s helping to meet that need is also helping folks to stay engaged in that as well. So I think mutual aid has that powerful impact as well and. I also love chatting with like the parents of trans folks that have never heard of mutual aid before, like had no idea. And I support a long-standing Panther Pantry here in Des Moines that does groceries on Saturday mornings. It’s existed since the 1970s. It’s incredible. But, you know, we’ll chat with folks that are applying for aid over here for their trans kid. And then we’ll talk about like, oh, I don’t know if you need help with groceries. I don’t know if you’re involved with this other group and they do support for houseless folks. So it does definitely have a ripple effect where folks are like, oh, well, what other mutual aid is happening? How can we get involved there? And I think that’s really powerful too.

Speaker 1 [00:27:36] As you said, you lived in a state which has been trending sort of right for a while, and where these laws have been building up over time, now culminating in this particular kind of egregious rollback in basic human rights. I think it’s fair to say it’s just fact. What is your advice for people who may have lived in other states where this was not an issue, it wasn’t. on the table or in the cards and the change in administration suddenly feel vulnerable and are concerned about what’s coming down the pike. As a person who has lived in an estate that is increasingly oppressive and authoritarian for trans people, what’s your advice about how to weather the change in environment?

Speaker 2 [00:28:28] Well, one thing that’s been top of mind for me that I think is interesting about my positioning in Iowa, because we were for a long time blue and then for a long time purple. And so to move to red, I think is challenging. But often when I’m working with other more progressive states, I think a red flag in organizing is when folks from more progressive states just write off red states. they write off the people in the organizing there. And of course, lots of the people I’m in community with would never do that. But I do think if you are in a more progressive state and you’re feeling anxious, like always remember that, of course, borders are developed by our culture and society, they don’t really exist. But also when you’re moving in solidarity with more red states, you can learn from them. And so I’m a part of like a national network of. LGBTQ orgs state by state. And I am so excited whenever a more progressive state takes an interest in the work that we’re doing and sees how they can support, because I think for them, it’s also preparation. We know that there’s a red wave across the country. We saw that in November. And so I do think if you are in a more progressive state, like, please never write off any state. I think Iowa has a very progressive history, but I think a lot about this south and the way that southern organizers are very often just written off even though they’ve been doing decades of work. So never write off a red state and what the organizing is that folks are doing there. It’s very resilient and it’s very impactful organizing. And also we’re here to help you and support you if you’re seeing things like this in your state like reach out because we’ve probably seen it before and we we do want to help. So that is my recommendation And if you are… you know, the average person listening to this podcast that lives in a progressive state, I think always staying vigilant as well because it can feel very easy to think, oh, that wouldn’t happen here because we have such a progressive history or we’ve got even people in positions of power that are very supportive. I think it’s very important to still remember that we wanna be vigilant, we wanna fight the little things because that’s how the line keeps moving. towards big and challenging things. Us folks in the red states, we also want to help you and keep your people safe too.

Speaker 1 [00:30:48] Well, I think that, you know, basically what you’ve said is learn from us, form coalitions across your state with like-minded people, deepen your connections and support for community and stay vigilant. And I think that those are very, very, very solid pieces of advice and guidance. Thank you so much, Max. Thank you so much for. your leadership and for your heart and just continuing to show other people how we can get through these really, really tough and dark times. Really appreciate you. Thank you so much.

Speaker 2 [00:31:27] Yeah, thank you so much. I am always really excited to talk about Iowa. I love our state, even if it doesn’t always feel like it loves me back. And I hope that folks know that we’re fighting for y’all in Iowa.

Speaker 1 [00:31:40] You know, as I say to people, there are trans people everywhere.

Speaker 2 [00:31:44] Absolutely.

Speaker 1 [00:31:45] Thank you so much. That was activist and leader Max Moitz. I’m so glad to be joined by a powerhouse of local organizing in the South. DaraNesha Duncan-Boyd. DaraNesha is the founder and executive director of TAKE, a trans-led resource center for Black and Brown trans people in Birmingham, Alabama. Starting out as a peer support group in 2013, TAKE has evolved into a hub for trans advocacy and direct services in Alabama. DaraNesha has led the creation of programs to help trans people navigate food insecurity, unemployment, HIV AIDS, and violence. In recognition of her remarkable leadership, she’s been honored as an Alabama Champion of Pride among many other awards. DaraNisha, thank you so much for joining us today. Yeah, thank you so much for having me. Of course, of course. We get to talk on the record instead of on the phone like we normally do. Okay. So, I appreciate it. First of all, as you know, the entire country and the trans community is in crisis due to what’s happening at the national level and with the Trump administration. But you and TAKE have been in a state which has essentially been authoritarian and anti-trans for as long as you have the organization and yet you are building and thriving. Can you just tell us what you are seeing in Alabama with changes at the national level? Does it make a difference for your work or it’s kind of business as usual because y’all have been here for, you know, since 2013.

Speaker 3 [00:33:41] Yes, thanks so much for that question. When I think about the current lay of the land, it’s, you know, completely challenging, but we have to understand that we’ve been in a crisis since day one, being born in the world as being black first, and then navigating through my trans identity makes it even harder. But the work that TAKE have been doing as we get ready to turn 12 in April has been very crucial. not only with what’s happening but the political climate that we’re facing now is simply sending a message to Alabama that it’s okay to go back and to adopt those anti-trans bills like what is a woman and you know we was able to kill the bill last session and now this It passed without a shadow of a doubt, and the governor is ready to sign the bill.

Speaker 1 [00:34:30] Tell us about this because this is something that I haven’t heard spoken about at the national level. What is this bill?

Speaker 3 [00:34:36] The Wet Is The Woman bill is just simply a bill that reflects what the Trump administration says around defending birth assigned sex as a female. Where they’re saying that it’s only two genders in the world, but we know that it’s not genders that are bought in the world, it’s birth sex classifications that are bought in the world. In which we know that’s a lie because it’s three birth sex classifications and they trying to erase. the intersex identity, which is totally unfair.

Speaker 1 [00:35:09] Right, right, and will lead to violence against intersex bodies, which continues all the time. So it seems like you’re saying that there is a change in the atmosphere, even in a place like Alabama, which had passed a bunch of anti-trans laws, since Trump came into power, they’re doing new anti-trans stuff because they feel emboldened.

Speaker 3 [00:35:31] And I don’t think it’s so much new. I think they just revisiting what was vetoed, revisiting what was shut down and saying, now that we have a person that’s a public figure, that’s, you know, leading the nation that’s in power. So let’s just pick it back off whatever he’s saying. So if he says that, and it’s already a red state and your governor is already red as well, it’s gonna be easy to make it happen, because it’s like, okay, it’s being pushed down from the federal level. So let’s do it on the state level. And so it continues to make these situations challenging due to the fact that no one wants to really hear from the people that are. impacted are the people that are showing up on the front line where a year ago that we were able to show up at the state house and advocate and talk about the importance of train safety and our existence and what would it mean to us in our everyday livelihood where we showed up this year and it was just like oh we hear y’all but we want to go based upon the Bible or based upon you know what the person that’s leading the nation is saying

Speaker 1 [00:36:40] people think in a place like Alabama, anti-trans in the South, generally hostile to anyone who’s marginalized, definitely hostile to poor people, that we don’t think about these places like Birmingham as centers of trans communities. But what you have built at TAKE underscores that that’s just not true. Can you tell us about the vision that you had to create something like TAKE in- Birmingham, Alabama, which so many people just write off.

Speaker 3 [00:37:12] I never had a vision for Tate. The vision was to free my people and to talk about the experience and the things that I went through and the hardship that I experienced when I was experiencing homelessness at the time and I was basically told to receive case management or housing support, I had to be HIV positive. And I thought that that was so disheartened to send a message out to my peers that in order to be supported have housing case management that I had to be living with HIV. And I said, no, I don’t want nobody else to hear this line. I don’t want nobody else to encounter this. So let me build out this peer support group at my dining room table and just talk to other people that look like me and see what are they feeling? What are they going through? And see, have they heard of this simply myth before? And as I started to do the work, I noticed that it was greater than housing insecurities. We was talking about people that was experiencing food insecurities. We was talking about people that was experiencing workplace discrimination, healthcare discrimination. And I was just like, oh my God. So what do I do in this moment? I need you to lead this vessel and show me what should I be doing. And the first almost five and a half years I struggled with the organization because during the time I was participating in survival sex work. So I will take my sex work dollars and I was getting unemployment and I made it, you know, work for the community from buying canned soups, crackers, condoms, toiletry kits, and also helping people with, you know, temporary hotel stays. And I was like, this cannot be the way of life. Someone out here has to care about this community. and I didn’t really know anything about a non-profit. And so I got my first job in an ASO here, which was the aid service organization, because I know that’s what they connect the trans bodies to. And once I started working in there and I said, oh my God, this is. you know, monopoly, you know, there’s so much money that’s been geared and given towards people that’s living with HIV AIDS, but nobody is talking about the existence of trans women and what we’re experiencing and how, you know, we’re at the end of the conversation. And even much when you were going in to get tested back in the days, I remember that it was more of collecting data to label trans women as men having sex with men. And it’s just so much that goes into the different layers and the oppressors that were put in place to continue to keep us held behind as trans women, especially black trans women.

Speaker 1 [00:39:59] So you started out around your kitchen table, used resources from Survival Sex Work to help the community, got this job and continued to work in providing of services. Can you just talk a little bit about the importance of providing services in our community as an important place to build a sense of community and to then to be able to think about other things like advocacy, like what’s the role? providing services in our community that sometimes is overlooked.

Speaker 3 [00:40:34] When we think about the importance of the work that’s happening, I think first we have to start with that the work is led by a black person, not only a black person but a trans person. A trans woman of experience that have been through all the hardship, survivor sex work, substance abuse, untreated mental illness, unemployment, workplace discrimination, like the list goes on what I have experienced. And so it makes me more personable, and I’m able to meet each person where they’re at, but continue to let people know that I am a beacon of hope. As you see this light here, I have not always had this light, but I continue to put my best foot forward because I knew that the end would look different for me, no matter what, I just had to not give up. And so I think being a person that’s in this position of power, gives me the opportunity to not only give back to the community but to show them a face that resembles theirs are something that they can relate to you know just simple like it’s a black trans woman she’s thriving this is not the end for me just because I’m experiencing you know substance abuse sex work you know even much people that I may not be able to speak to the narrative of a person living with HIV but I’m able to say that there’s hope so that just don’t allow this one situation to make you feel like you’re less than and you’re not home. So continue to thrive, but be able to show up and advocate for yourself. I want to build out more leaders and making sure that black trans folks have a voice and they are also civic engaged and they know like their rights, they know how they should show up and they hold folks accountable and they build. you know, base and bring other folks along. That’s my end goal with the work that I’m doing here and take because I know that it’s greater than me. And that’s the reason why I continue to navigate this world in a selfless way. Yeah, everybody may be talking about DaraNesha, but they’re talking about DaraNesha because of the impact that have happened here in Alabama.

Speaker 1 [00:42:45] I mean, one of the things that you’re talking about are the ways in which you are helping, as you say, to feed people, house people, and how that comes from your direct experience. I mean, I think that’s one of the things that is really striking about Take is that you emphasize this direct service model to trans people. I remember when I visited Take and it was in your old location, not your fancy new one, but your old location. that like when we drove up to the building, there were literally people waiting on you, that you didn’t know, but knew that Take was a place where they could receive help. I mean, why have you emphasized that? Because the reason why I’m asking is because, you know, some people, like, you know, people emphasize digital, you know, organizing or other types organizing. We’re like at the core of Tech’s model. for trans people in Alabama is like, as you say, feeding people, housing people, health care, like, you know, job assistance, clothes, getting people ready for interviews. Like, that’s a big part of what you do.

Speaker 3 [00:43:52] Yes, and I think that that work is crucial simply. It’s self-explanatory. You know, we’re meeting people where they are. We’re meeting their basic daily needs. How do you expect me to advocate for myself? How do you expect for me to show up in the world and apply for a job if I don’t even have equal access to the things that I need? We have people around here, let’s talk about it. You know, performative leadership, I’m not about it. I’m about making a change, causing impact, and making sure people are getting the resources from the gate. You know, that’s when they enter the program, making sure that you have access, building out something that’s tangible for you to hold on to and to take with you. You know, I know we have all different type of leaders in the world or whatever but everybody is not meant to be an advocate everybody is not going to try to show up at the state house you have to build people up and you have to give them something to look forward to and you have to give them something to hold on to you know it’s it’s the small things like those hot meals daily that people can remember and they can know that their soul have been fed and they can know that it have been some thought into it now god forbid yeah we give you know noodles from time to time cans of viennas or whatever but i’m more so a mouth you know making sure people have that Hot meal.

Speaker 1 [00:45:25] So there are going to be a lot of places in the country due to the change in administration and the way that companies are changing and the way that schools are changing and local governments, where before maybe two or three years ago, they didn’t experience the things that trans people are experiencing in Alabama, but they are, right? And they’re going to have to adapt to what that means. What’s your advice to… trans people and trans leaders in other states about what they should learn from you and from the experience in Alabama of creating a thriving trans community in the midst of all of the oppression and attacks.

Speaker 3 [00:46:09] Yeah, I think my advice is simple and we’ll talk about the three ads, how I govern my leadership and how I show up on a daily. The three ads is make sure your work is intentional. Make sure that it’s intentional and you’re doing it with a purpose. Investment. If I’m invested in something, I’m gonna make sure that I’m going above and beyond that the needs are being met for my community. And most of all, integrity. I’m not going to do anything that don’t align with my core values and how I show up as a person and what feels right for me on the inside, how I would want to be treated. So I think that we have to continue to make sure that people have those twos in order to do the work. Because I know everybody is talking about, oh, I’m doing the work. I like doing the work. This is what I’m doing or whatever. but the work is not for show. The work is not an act. The work is not theater. The work is actually getting down in the trenches, healing out people, freeing out people, and most of all, reaching out.

Speaker 1 [00:47:13] What’s your own vision for how you’re preparing for what comes next? Like, what do you see happening? And then what do you see the need is to position, take to respond to that? Like, what are you seeing in the road ahead and how are you planning on navigating this like much more hostile environment?

Speaker 3 [00:47:34] The position and the road ahead that we’re preparing for when it comes to the work that TAKE is doing is simple. It’s keep doing the same work that we’ve been doing every day for the past 12 years. Meeting people where they are and making sure that they know that it’s a safe space that care about them and increasing their accessibility to whatever their needs may be, but also understanding we’re in a cruel world and why is it important. to basically obtain and learn some leadership skills, learn some tools that you can use that you can take out in the world when you know that a person is blately being hateful towards you or discrimination towards you. How do we show up in the world and say hey what you’re doing to me is not right. I’m standing in my truth. I’m being courageous. You’re going to support me. I’m not asking you to invest in me but I’m telling you that I deserve the respect because I’m a human being at the end of the day and with the work being said that we got to understand that direct service will always be needed but also our folks need to be able to have access to experience and joy who wants to be hurt who wants to be broke all the time and not experiencing joy, and that’s the reason why I host three retreats a year, two retreats that basically cater to community around empowerment, educate, love, and fun, and one retreat that builds redefining cishood. Redefining cishood is a program to bridge the gaps between Black women because we are heard. we are hurt and black women, cis women, don’t understand the importance of trans women existing in this world and why we’re here. We’re not here just to be sex objects for our counterparts, our brothers, or whatever. We are here because we are part of the women movement and we have to be seen as women in order for the movement to be advanced.

Speaker 1 [00:49:42] My last question is, you know, one of the things that we’re seeing is a kind of retrenchment, hesitation is the kindest way to put it. But like, some would say a retreat from the part of, for example, politicians who in the past had said that they were on the side of trans rights, you know, in the democratic party, it stands out for me. But then suddenly, being shaky, let’s say. Again, I’m trying to be charitable here. But from the perspective of funders, there’s a hesitation now about, is this an okay thing to fund, given the attacks and that sort of thing. What do you have to say to those people who were in the right place and have suddenly gone wobbly? Like, what’s the impact of that? If you could talk to those people, what would you say?

Speaker 3 [00:50:33] Well, I must say that it’s simple. We talked about early performative leadership. That’s one thing. We’re not gonna jump on the bandwagon when it’s hot or it’s the it thing and to support it. But then once we get in the hot seat for real, then everybody wants to retract. Everybody wants to bag up. You have to stay true to your integrity where it feels right with you. Why vote for something? that doesn’t feel right with you. If you feel like that the babble is driven your response in the way that you show up and support then you’re doing a disservice to yourself because you’re not living you know quote said babble you know that thou shalt not judge if we’re going to be technical so we’re going to allow people to be people and we’re going to love thy neighbor so how do we continue to show up in that way and give back to people that are vulnerable folks that are greatly impacted and the most marginalized community, you know, and that doesn’t hold you against anything if you push back and say, no, I don’t agree what you’re doing. I don’t agree what you’re saying and stop the hate because these are still human beings. These are still people that God created. It’s still at the end of the day. But instead, folks so much would jump on the bandwagon and then they’re retracted when they become in the hot seat because it feels like that, oh, if I don’t go along with them, I’m not gonna be voted in again. And we know how politics play. Politics are very much like that. Whatever’s hot, you know we own it. If it’s not hot, we’re moving away from it. And if it’s something that can possibly put us in the hot seat. and make us not be voted in again, or make people turn against us because they all jumping on the bandwagon. Let’s not stand in the opposition because what happens is it becomes shaky, and then you become fearful of your role. But if you’re true to yourself and it lands with your integrity at one moment, you will never become shaky, you know, because it will feel right with you. And before you become shaky, you’re resilient.

Speaker 1 [00:52:47] Well, DaraNisha, thank you so much for your leadership and your vision and for the straightforward and easy to follow advice that you have given people across the country. Just again, thank you so much. It’s so appreciative of you and the time that you took today. And yeah, it’s just great to be in conversation with you.

Speaker 3 [00:53:07] Oh yes, it’s awesome, and I finally get my trans-lash moment, it’s so… This was a moment of my lifetime to really have this interview with you and you know to sit with you because we talk about a lot of things and we had a lot of conversations over the years and this moment have led up to this and it is a critical moment because the political climate and you know hopefully it reached the masses the people understand why is it important to you know show up in your leadership, but also prioritize direct service. And you know, hey, it was it was an honor to be here today.

Speaker 1 [00:53:50] Thank you, the honor is actually ours. That was the executive director of TAKE, Darren Nisha Duncan Boyd. Thank you for joining me on the Translash Podcast. Now listen all the way through to the end of this show for something extra. If you like what you heard, make sure that you go to leave a comment on Spotify or a five-star review on Apple Podcast. We deserve nothing less than five stars. You might just hear me read it out on the show. The TransLash Podcast is produced by TransLash Media. The TransLash team includes Oliver Ash-Kline and Aubrey Callaway. Xander Adams is our Senior Sound Engineer and a contributing producer. This show gets to your ears with the help of our social media team, including Morgan Asprey. The music you heard was composed by Ben Draghi and also courtesy of ZZK Records. TransLash podcast is made possible by the support of foundations and listeners like you. Okay, no tea, no shade, what I’m looking forward to is the fact that St. Paddy’s Day is over. We give our love to our Irish community friends, but I’m just saying, if you live in New York City, you know that St. Paddy’s Day is kind of like a spring Santa con, where it’s a mess and people are rockin’ and rollin’. So the fact that we made it through all of that and don’t have to think about it for another year is something that I’m looking forward to. But much love to all my trans siblings out there. who celebrates St. Patty’s Day. We’ll see you next year.