Check out our WEBSITE! http://transpridemarch.org
My name is justin adkins, I was on the steering committee last year for New England Trans Pride and I have been helping organize this years event. I am sad to say that this year we will not be holding New England Trans Pride March and Rally.Last year the event was a success! We saw over 1,000 trans people and their allies converge on Northampton, MA to march and rally for our rights. The speakers and performers all shared the same message, Trans rights NOW!There were two efforts this year to hold a Trans Pride event in New England. One was based out of Northampton and another in Vermont, I supported both efforts. Because of a variety of reasons neither effort was successful. But basically, our community has not stepped up to do the nitty gritty of organizing this event. Yes, we all love a good parade but this parade is more than just fun and games. As a community we can not just attend these events we need to help organize them. This was a march for our rights! This march was to support issues such as the MA house bill last year. This year we see three of our New England states addressing our issues. We need to stand up and be heard.As I travel around New England and speak to trans people I see the same few people organizing and the same crowd attending. We all need to join in these efforts. The attenders need to help organize.Some have said that because of the economy this year is not the time to celebrate. Though I understand that it is not a good time for them I disagree that is a time to celebrate, this is our time! Trans rights are moving ahead in New England and trans people need to be seen as those moving with the regional organizations.Organizations such as GLAD serve ALL of New England and have been the driving organizations for marriage and transgender rights in our region.If you are out of work, which I know that many of you are as we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation and these are hard economic times, organize! Spend 6 hours a day looking for work and give 2 to trans organizing. We can all do this together, and only together. We need to stop the internal bickering and band together. Trans women, trans men, genderqueer folks all together fighting hard for our rights. Other communities have left us behind, we need to move together.With no Trans Pride this year what can we do? First, support the legislation in your state (if you are in MA, CT, or NH). Second, even if there is no current legislation addressing our issues in your state go meet your representatives at the state and national level. Let your government know that you exist. Third, help plan for a Trans Pride next year. My personal hope is to see this event move from state to state, each year in a different place, to be a true New England event. Help make this happen by getting some dedicated individuals together, then contact me, I will put you in touch with the group that planned last years event, we will all help you to be a success! Lastly, be yourself and take care of yourself. Being trans is not the easiest thing I have ever done, I know many of you can relate. Take care of yourself, get out of the house, connect with other trans people, go back to school just to be in a classroom. And remember, you are special and wonderful!So, overall, I’m sorry that we will not have an event this year. But, next year I know that some of you out there will be ready. And this year I know that we will all, TOGETHER, get some amazing work done in New England.In solidarity, justin adkins [email protected]
SUCCESS!!! WE DID IT!!!
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteers, vendors, and speakers, etc who made yesterday a wonderful success. None of what happened yesterday could be done without the amazing support of the community. I was personally so impressed by the volunteers who showed up in the morning and gave it there all to the very end, you all know who you are!
On that note. We continue to tirelessly work behind the scenes, mainly to get video and images from the event out to the public.
PHOTOS: If you took photos yesterday, and would like to share them with everyone, please send them to [email protected] along with your name so I can make sure photographers are credited. I will start adding them to the transpride website http://transpridemarch.org as they come in.
VIDEO: We had a few people that videoed the event. 1) Carlyn with Your Story Matters (Thanks to her, and everyone who agreed to speak with her about your experience) Carlyn is making a documentary about the event and we will let you know when that is available. 2) Working with Carlyn were a few other volunteers who taped the rally speakers. We are working on getting that video available to you online and I will let you know when that is available too. 3) I know many others were taking video, if you put it online, ie YouTube, please let me know so that we can spread the word.
Again, THANK YOU!!
[email protected]
Organizing and planning the first Transgender Pride March and Rally for New England. News, updates, and discussions about planning the march.
June 7, 2008, Northampton, MA
The first New England Transgender Pride March and Rally will be held on June 7, 2008 in Northampton, MA. The event is organized by members of the trans and gender variant community, and their allies, with the intent of taking a visible and positive stand for transgender rights. The March and Rally is dedicated to diverse representation among organizers and participants. We seek to educate and build awareness of the movement against gender-based discrimination. We promote self-acceptance and acceptance of our whole identities and lives. We gather to celebrate and affirm our individuality, diversity, and strength.
The Transgender Pride March and Rally 2008 seeks to:
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Build a community of compassionate and open-minded individuals who represent all gender expressions, and wish to unapologetically stand up for their civil and human rights.Address the institutionalized and intrapersonal racism, classism, ageism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination faced by many trans and gender variant people on a daily basis.Promote the self-determination of all trans and gender variant people, in support of the International Bill of Gender Rights: http://www.transgenderlegal.com/ibgr.htm .Unite with one another and allies to speak out for social, economic, and political justice of under-represented and marginalized communities, and support the right of all communities to be heard.
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