by Lexi Adsit, Guest blogger
Presenting on Philadelphia Trans Health Conference
After some brief introductions and a great welcoming message from Chief Bob of the Lenàpe Nation around indigenous solidarity and history of the land, the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference is getting started!
The opening plenary is highlighting two very inspiring and seasoned community activists, Earline Budd and Dr. Jamison Green. Dr. Green shared his story of his transition, around becoming aware of being in the wrong body at a young age and growing up and learning about a lot of stigma around Trans-identified folks and how the stigma was when he was growing up. Something that really stuck out about his talk was how he believes that our fight is for human rights. Our personal stories are important, but we have to look at how our communities fit into the larger culture.
Earline Budd, a very fierce trans woman from Washington D.C. shared her life story of being incarcerated as a youth because her parents said she was “out of control” because she was acting like a woman. Through that incarceration though, she learned some very important life lessons to avoid jail. She also contracted HIV as a sex worker and had a very strong message of “Life is what you make it, living with HIV”.
Having a moment to talk together they spoke about the need for solidarity between all the trans communities and bring that visibility with you to your trainings, discussions, etc.
(this is the cover of the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference Program)
LGBT HealthLink, The Network for Health Equity 