1 00:00:08,285 --> 00:00:09,645 Speaker 1: School of Humans. 2 00:00:12,565 --> 00:00:19,245 Speaker 2: This is Queer Chronicles. This is my personal entry Queer. 3 00:00:20,245 --> 00:00:29,725 Speaker 3: This is Queer Chronicles me to fight for my rights 4 00:00:29,765 --> 00:00:32,245 Speaker 3: at the Capitol because you are a black friends team 5 00:00:32,685 --> 00:00:33,765 Speaker 3: who those in Texas. 6 00:00:33,885 --> 00:00:34,365 Speaker 4: Let's go. 7 00:00:35,325 --> 00:00:39,045 Speaker 1: That's Safara, an eighteen year old from Texas who you 8 00:00:39,165 --> 00:00:43,285 Speaker 1: met a few episodes ago. Outside of her experiences as 9 00:00:43,325 --> 00:00:48,685 Speaker 1: a ballroom performer, she's also a fierce advocate for LGBTQ 10 00:00:48,805 --> 00:00:52,645 Speaker 1: plus rights. This clip is from a TikTok she posted 11 00:00:52,845 --> 00:00:55,725 Speaker 1: back in March twenty twenty three. 12 00:00:56,245 --> 00:00:58,845 Speaker 4: So it's seven point forty and I just got to 13 00:00:58,925 --> 00:00:59,405 Speaker 4: the capital. 14 00:01:00,605 --> 00:01:03,565 Speaker 5: The public hearing or testimony is supposed to start at eight, 15 00:01:03,765 --> 00:01:05,485 Speaker 5: but let's tell to get to push back a little 16 00:01:05,645 --> 00:01:06,565 Speaker 5: because it usually does. 17 00:01:07,125 --> 00:01:11,885 Speaker 1: Sfar was getting ready to do something extremely brave. She 18 00:01:12,085 --> 00:01:15,085 Speaker 1: was at the Texas State Capital in her home city 19 00:01:15,125 --> 00:01:19,805 Speaker 1: of Austin to protest legislation that would prevent doctors from 20 00:01:19,845 --> 00:01:22,885 Speaker 1: providing gender firm and care to trans youth. 21 00:01:23,805 --> 00:01:28,765 Speaker 5: So it's currently ten thirty three and we were so 22 00:01:28,885 --> 00:01:31,165 Speaker 5: sweet third on the agenda, but it looks like they're 23 00:01:31,165 --> 00:01:35,685 Speaker 5: going to push back h six because there's a lot 24 00:01:35,725 --> 00:01:40,845 Speaker 5: of testimonies because it's a shitty bill. So it looks 25 00:01:40,885 --> 00:01:43,005 Speaker 5: like I'm going to be here for a couple more hours, 26 00:01:43,405 --> 00:01:45,885 Speaker 5: so we'll see. 27 00:01:47,885 --> 00:01:51,605 Speaker 1: But a few hours turned into an entire day of waiting. 28 00:01:52,285 --> 00:01:56,765 Speaker 1: Demonstrators gathered in the Capitol rotunda as the House convened, 29 00:01:57,125 --> 00:02:01,845 Speaker 1: waving LGBTQ plus flags and chanting and opposition of the bill. 30 00:02:02,485 --> 00:02:07,045 Speaker 1: Safar joined them as she waited and for her chance 31 00:02:07,165 --> 00:02:07,685 Speaker 1: to speak. 32 00:02:08,525 --> 00:02:12,645 Speaker 4: Okay, it's currently ten forty eight pm. I've been here 33 00:02:12,685 --> 00:02:16,045 Speaker 4: for about fourteen hours. I still have got to testify. 34 00:02:16,285 --> 00:02:23,005 Speaker 4: A single trans team hasn't gotten to testify. But I'm 35 00:02:23,005 --> 00:02:26,685 Speaker 4: just gonna cry. But you know, it's okay, and let's 36 00:02:26,685 --> 00:02:27,445 Speaker 4: see how it goes. 37 00:02:28,085 --> 00:02:34,085 Speaker 1: And then it finally happened, more than fourteen hours after 38 00:02:34,125 --> 00:02:40,165 Speaker 1: she arrived, tired, worn down, but still resolute so far, 39 00:02:40,325 --> 00:02:43,725 Speaker 1: spoke her truth in front of the very politicians who 40 00:02:43,725 --> 00:02:48,525 Speaker 1: were trying to strip her and her community's rights away and. 41 00:02:48,965 --> 00:02:53,165 Speaker 6: HB sixteen eighty six can representing myself. I am here 42 00:02:53,165 --> 00:02:55,885 Speaker 6: as a girl who has been accepted into Columbia University 43 00:02:55,885 --> 00:02:58,405 Speaker 6: in the city of New York, for my prolific work 44 00:02:58,645 --> 00:03:02,485 Speaker 6: for the trans community on a national scale. But foremost, 45 00:03:02,525 --> 00:03:05,925 Speaker 6: I'm here the Black transgender team who's right far I 46 00:03:05,925 --> 00:03:09,605 Speaker 6: got to be stripped away. History backs to the validity 47 00:03:09,685 --> 00:03:14,485 Speaker 6: of transcendrism. Transgender people have existed in pre colonial indigenous 48 00:03:14,525 --> 00:03:17,845 Speaker 6: cultures around the world for millennia, so to think this 49 00:03:17,965 --> 00:03:21,765 Speaker 6: is something new it is simply false. I'm not confused, 50 00:03:22,005 --> 00:03:25,165 Speaker 6: nor am I a product of gay and trans and doctrination. 51 00:03:25,325 --> 00:03:28,805 Speaker 6: No one influenced me to be trans. They only supported 52 00:03:28,805 --> 00:03:30,645 Speaker 6: what I always knew was there. 53 00:03:33,165 --> 00:03:37,205 Speaker 1: What Safar did that night in Texas shouldn't have been necessary. 54 00:03:37,805 --> 00:03:40,805 Speaker 1: But it's becoming all too common for young trans folks 55 00:03:40,885 --> 00:03:45,165 Speaker 1: to demand that lawmakers respect their decisions about their bodies, 56 00:03:45,725 --> 00:03:52,445 Speaker 1: their lives, and their identities. And Sofaram isn't alone. They 57 00:03:52,445 --> 00:03:55,885 Speaker 1: are even younger teenagers picking up that mantle too. 58 00:03:56,645 --> 00:03:59,805 Speaker 2: The first time I testified, I was seven, and now 59 00:03:59,845 --> 00:04:03,645 Speaker 2: I'm thirteen. I have been advocating for myself and other 60 00:04:03,765 --> 00:04:06,765 Speaker 2: trans kids for more than half of my life. 61 00:04:07,085 --> 00:04:11,045 Speaker 1: Like Libby, who also lives in Texas. 62 00:04:10,645 --> 00:04:16,845 Speaker 2: I find advocacy empowering, but it's also honestly really hard. 63 00:04:17,525 --> 00:04:19,845 Speaker 2: I feel like no kid should ever have to do this. 64 00:04:20,685 --> 00:04:24,565 Speaker 2: I also know nothing will change if those of us 65 00:04:25,285 --> 00:04:29,525 Speaker 2: who do have safety in our lives stay silent, so 66 00:04:29,605 --> 00:04:32,125 Speaker 2: I made a decision to keep showing up as long 67 00:04:32,165 --> 00:04:32,525 Speaker 2: as I. 68 00:04:32,525 --> 00:04:36,485 Speaker 1: Can, and Daniel from Arizona, So. 69 00:04:36,485 --> 00:04:39,205 Speaker 4: When I got to sixth grade, me and my family. 70 00:04:40,485 --> 00:04:43,965 Speaker 7: Took our advocacy to another level. We knew it was 71 00:04:44,005 --> 00:04:46,645 Speaker 7: so important for us we have to be visible as 72 00:04:46,685 --> 00:04:49,485 Speaker 7: a Latina immigrant family with a trans kid, so that 73 00:04:49,525 --> 00:04:52,725 Speaker 7: families like our own could see themselves included in the conversation. 74 00:04:53,365 --> 00:04:55,605 Speaker 7: It was especially important for us when we were talking 75 00:04:55,605 --> 00:04:58,445 Speaker 7: about the rights of transgender people. In eighth grade two 76 00:04:58,965 --> 00:05:04,285 Speaker 7: there was a lot of anti trans legislation or being 77 00:05:04,365 --> 00:05:06,765 Speaker 7: and like bills being for posed, and so we were 78 00:05:06,805 --> 00:05:10,045 Speaker 7: like constantly driving back and forth to our state capital 79 00:05:10,205 --> 00:05:14,565 Speaker 7: to testify, which was already a stressful Illinoian experience. 80 00:05:15,045 --> 00:05:18,885 Speaker 1: You might remember that Libby began her advocacy journey when 81 00:05:18,925 --> 00:05:23,285 Speaker 1: she testified against a bathroom bill in Texas in twenty seventeen, 82 00:05:24,005 --> 00:05:27,885 Speaker 1: and Daniel was just nine years old when he started testifying. 83 00:05:28,645 --> 00:05:31,405 Speaker 1: Both Libby and Daniel have given so much of their 84 00:05:31,445 --> 00:05:35,805 Speaker 1: adolescence to advocacy, and they have only grown more determined 85 00:05:35,885 --> 00:05:39,045 Speaker 1: to stake their place in the world as they've matured. 86 00:05:39,725 --> 00:05:42,285 Speaker 1: In fact, they were two of the chief architects of 87 00:05:42,365 --> 00:05:46,845 Speaker 1: a historic event at the US Capitol last spring, and 88 00:05:46,925 --> 00:05:51,485 Speaker 1: they reminded the world that beyond anger and disappointment, there's 89 00:05:51,605 --> 00:05:57,285 Speaker 1: room for something else on the front lines. Celebration from 90 00:05:57,405 --> 00:06:02,845 Speaker 1: School of Humans, The Outspoken Podcast Network, and iHeart Podcasts. 91 00:06:03,605 --> 00:06:08,365 Speaker 1: This is Queer Chronic, a show where queer folks document 92 00:06:08,445 --> 00:06:13,165 Speaker 1: their personal lives and experiences in their own words, and 93 00:06:13,285 --> 00:06:17,725 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Raquel Willis. This season, a group of 94 00:06:17,765 --> 00:06:21,925 Speaker 1: teenagers are sharing their perspectives on growing up queer and 95 00:06:22,045 --> 00:06:27,645 Speaker 1: trans and gender non conforming while living in mostly red States. 96 00:06:27,685 --> 00:06:31,965 Speaker 1: In this episode, we're talking about activism and how our 97 00:06:32,045 --> 00:06:41,845 Speaker 1: teens are fighting for their rights. Libby and Daniel have 98 00:06:42,125 --> 00:06:46,445 Speaker 1: a lot in common. They're both Latine, they both began 99 00:06:46,605 --> 00:06:51,565 Speaker 1: advocating in elementary school, and they both understand that collaboration 100 00:06:51,885 --> 00:06:56,525 Speaker 1: and creativity are necessary for collective liberation. 101 00:06:57,445 --> 00:07:01,645 Speaker 2: At first, my family was like, oh my gosh, well 102 00:07:01,765 --> 00:07:05,605 Speaker 2: this is something really scary, Like we weren't prepared for 103 00:07:05,645 --> 00:07:13,805 Speaker 2: it at all, and it was just like really hard 104 00:07:13,845 --> 00:07:14,405 Speaker 2: at first. 105 00:07:14,485 --> 00:07:15,045 Speaker 7: But then. 106 00:07:16,485 --> 00:07:20,685 Speaker 2: I made so many connections and I have created a 107 00:07:20,685 --> 00:07:26,565 Speaker 2: community by doing all this advocacy, and like now they're 108 00:07:26,605 --> 00:07:32,285 Speaker 2: like my chosen family, and that's what I think was 109 00:07:32,405 --> 00:07:34,165 Speaker 2: like a blessing in disguise. 110 00:07:36,085 --> 00:07:39,805 Speaker 1: Throughout the years, Libby's family has been involved with groups 111 00:07:39,885 --> 00:07:43,885 Speaker 1: like the Human Rights Campaign and its Parents for Transgender 112 00:07:43,925 --> 00:07:49,085 Speaker 1: Equality National Council. This collective brings together parents across the 113 00:07:49,165 --> 00:07:53,085 Speaker 1: country who are committed to advocating for trans youth, and 114 00:07:53,285 --> 00:07:58,005 Speaker 1: it's where Libby's mom and Daniel's mom met in twenty seventeen. 115 00:07:58,925 --> 00:08:02,085 Speaker 1: The mother's hit it off, then Libby and Daniel hit 116 00:08:02,125 --> 00:08:05,965 Speaker 1: it off, and then their dads followed suit. And a 117 00:08:06,005 --> 00:08:09,045 Speaker 1: few years later, Libby and Daniel met for the first 118 00:08:09,045 --> 00:08:13,045 Speaker 1: time on a camping trip with their fathers and just 119 00:08:13,085 --> 00:08:17,325 Speaker 1: the side note, Their fathers and a few others starred 120 00:08:17,405 --> 00:08:21,685 Speaker 1: in The Dads, a recent documentary about their love for 121 00:08:22,005 --> 00:08:26,245 Speaker 1: and embrace of their trans kids. It's streaming on Netflix, 122 00:08:26,525 --> 00:08:28,245 Speaker 1: so check it out. 123 00:08:29,365 --> 00:08:32,085 Speaker 7: That was my first time going camping ever and my 124 00:08:32,205 --> 00:08:34,005 Speaker 7: last time going camping ever. 125 00:08:34,565 --> 00:08:36,045 Speaker 2: They fed us like subway. 126 00:08:36,565 --> 00:08:39,605 Speaker 7: I feel like subway is good in certain situations, and 127 00:08:39,645 --> 00:08:42,325 Speaker 7: it's in those situations when you're camping, is when it's good. 128 00:08:43,405 --> 00:08:45,805 Speaker 2: You caught a fish, though, didn't you. 129 00:08:46,925 --> 00:08:49,645 Speaker 7: I don't think I caught a fish, but the fish 130 00:08:49,685 --> 00:08:51,725 Speaker 7: scare me, and that's that's like a reason I don't 131 00:08:51,725 --> 00:08:54,245 Speaker 7: eat fish either is because I feel like they look scary, 132 00:08:54,765 --> 00:08:57,845 Speaker 7: and so trying to catch one was scary. 133 00:08:59,405 --> 00:09:03,805 Speaker 2: They kind of are I'm like the least out doorsy Texans. 134 00:09:04,325 --> 00:09:09,205 Speaker 1: Their fishing experien answers aside, that camping trip really deepened 135 00:09:09,245 --> 00:09:10,045 Speaker 1: their friendship. 136 00:09:10,805 --> 00:09:13,805 Speaker 2: Since then, we've been really really close. 137 00:09:14,725 --> 00:09:17,245 Speaker 7: I feel like we've been around each other so many 138 00:09:17,245 --> 00:09:20,325 Speaker 7: times because of all the all the activism we have 139 00:09:20,405 --> 00:09:23,005 Speaker 7: to do, you know, that we've just kind of like 140 00:09:23,885 --> 00:09:25,965 Speaker 7: bonded with that. 141 00:09:27,725 --> 00:09:30,965 Speaker 2: We're like really similar in some ways, but some ways 142 00:09:31,005 --> 00:09:35,885 Speaker 2: we're like complete opposites. Like, for example, our tastes and 143 00:09:36,045 --> 00:09:43,085 Speaker 2: music they're very different, and our outdoor zeness very different. 144 00:09:43,445 --> 00:09:43,925 Speaker 2: I don't know. 145 00:09:46,365 --> 00:09:50,285 Speaker 1: They've grown so close that they see each other as family. 146 00:09:50,365 --> 00:09:54,925 Speaker 8: Now me and Libby we're like cousins. Basically, we've already 147 00:09:54,965 --> 00:09:56,525 Speaker 8: decided that we're like cousins. 148 00:09:57,005 --> 00:09:57,765 Speaker 2: That's really cool. 149 00:09:57,845 --> 00:10:00,805 Speaker 9: Like we text each other, we tell each other all 150 00:10:00,885 --> 00:10:06,245 Speaker 9: the all the drama, you know, but really it's really 151 00:10:06,325 --> 00:10:09,445 Speaker 9: nice to know that you got like community, even if 152 00:10:09,485 --> 00:10:13,605 Speaker 9: it's not even in your hometown, but just community out 153 00:10:13,645 --> 00:10:14,365 Speaker 9: there in the world. 154 00:10:14,725 --> 00:10:17,845 Speaker 2: It feels pretty cool having a friend like to Daniel 155 00:10:19,045 --> 00:10:23,645 Speaker 2: he's much older than me, so he can give me 156 00:10:23,725 --> 00:10:27,525 Speaker 2: a lot of advice, but like we can like talk 157 00:10:27,605 --> 00:10:29,525 Speaker 2: to each other about a lot of stuff and we 158 00:10:29,645 --> 00:10:31,565 Speaker 2: can like relate to each other. 159 00:10:32,405 --> 00:10:33,445 Speaker 8: That's my dreama right there. 160 00:10:36,685 --> 00:10:39,405 Speaker 1: As you might be able to tell, Libby and Daniel's 161 00:10:39,525 --> 00:10:43,605 Speaker 1: powerful bond is based in part on a pretty unique 162 00:10:43,805 --> 00:10:49,125 Speaker 1: extracurricular They both regularly protest and testify for their rights 163 00:10:49,285 --> 00:10:53,325 Speaker 1: at state capitals. It's a serious time commitment, and it 164 00:10:53,445 --> 00:10:57,245 Speaker 1: starts pretty early in the day and often pretty early 165 00:10:57,525 --> 00:10:58,005 Speaker 1: in the year. 166 00:10:59,405 --> 00:11:04,045 Speaker 8: That usually starts around like January, and for me, that's 167 00:11:04,125 --> 00:11:11,285 Speaker 8: my second semester every year in school. And it's honestly 168 00:11:11,445 --> 00:11:17,765 Speaker 8: really taxing. It's really mostly taxing. It's like tiring, you know. 169 00:11:18,885 --> 00:11:22,885 Speaker 2: I get up at home around like six am maybe, 170 00:11:23,805 --> 00:11:28,565 Speaker 2: and then I like spend quite a bit of time 171 00:11:28,685 --> 00:11:30,685 Speaker 2: figuring out what sort of outfit I want to wear, 172 00:11:31,325 --> 00:11:38,405 Speaker 2: and then we like start packing, like putting all the 173 00:11:38,445 --> 00:11:41,125 Speaker 2: stuff that we might need in the car, and then 174 00:11:41,205 --> 00:11:44,205 Speaker 2: we drive there, which is like seven hours, and it's 175 00:11:44,405 --> 00:11:49,925 Speaker 2: very intense. I go and I feel very like, I 176 00:11:50,045 --> 00:11:54,925 Speaker 2: feel very like courageous, but at the same time I 177 00:11:55,045 --> 00:12:00,525 Speaker 2: feel very fearful. And normally when I'm going I do 178 00:12:00,725 --> 00:12:06,885 Speaker 2: like little doodles expressing my emotions. It's always really scary 179 00:12:06,965 --> 00:12:09,045 Speaker 2: and really intimidating because I always feel like they're just 180 00:12:09,125 --> 00:12:12,285 Speaker 2: like looking at me and like deciding if they trust 181 00:12:12,365 --> 00:12:14,965 Speaker 2: us or not, or if they think that my existence 182 00:12:15,085 --> 00:12:15,725 Speaker 2: is worth. 183 00:12:15,525 --> 00:12:21,445 Speaker 8: It is really frustrating and really upsetting if anything makes 184 00:12:21,485 --> 00:12:25,085 Speaker 8: me really disappointed. And at some point you got to 185 00:12:25,125 --> 00:12:27,765 Speaker 8: feel a little annoyed to be there because it feels 186 00:12:27,805 --> 00:12:32,125 Speaker 8: like you're gonna say your testimony who just people who 187 00:12:32,565 --> 00:12:36,365 Speaker 8: like don't really care that much, and so then you're 188 00:12:36,445 --> 00:12:39,365 Speaker 8: just really saying you're testimony to people that like don't 189 00:12:39,645 --> 00:12:41,685 Speaker 8: actually want to listen and don't want to listen to 190 00:12:42,005 --> 00:12:42,805 Speaker 8: what you have to say. 191 00:12:44,805 --> 00:12:48,805 Speaker 1: After years of dedicating themselves to activism and developing a 192 00:12:48,845 --> 00:12:52,365 Speaker 1: friendship along the way, Libby and Daniel got a bit 193 00:12:52,445 --> 00:12:57,405 Speaker 1: exhausted with all of the anti LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric 194 00:12:57,525 --> 00:13:00,645 Speaker 1: out there. They became frustrated with the world they were 195 00:13:00,685 --> 00:13:01,245 Speaker 1: growing up in. 196 00:13:02,125 --> 00:13:05,245 Speaker 2: It's so easy for legislators to paint a picture for 197 00:13:05,285 --> 00:13:09,925 Speaker 2: the general public there were something we aren't. We're just kids, 198 00:13:10,445 --> 00:13:13,805 Speaker 2: kids that don't want to keep showing up, and yet 199 00:13:14,605 --> 00:13:21,005 Speaker 2: we are continuing to show up to fight for our rights. 200 00:13:22,965 --> 00:13:26,405 Speaker 7: Me and Libby were talking one day and we were like, 201 00:13:27,245 --> 00:13:30,925 Speaker 7: we were just talking about all the anti trans legislation 202 00:13:31,005 --> 00:13:35,525 Speaker 7: we're facing in like our perspective states, and so basically 203 00:13:35,645 --> 00:13:37,885 Speaker 7: we were like, we need a political action. 204 00:13:38,965 --> 00:13:44,205 Speaker 1: A political action, a statement, something that felt like a 205 00:13:44,325 --> 00:13:47,845 Speaker 1: celebration of all of their work, and a message to 206 00:13:47,925 --> 00:13:52,925 Speaker 1: the world saying they wouldn't back down anytime soon. More 207 00:13:53,005 --> 00:13:54,965 Speaker 1: on that after the break. 208 00:14:01,565 --> 00:14:04,085 Speaker 2: At first, we kind of just wanted to have like 209 00:14:04,885 --> 00:14:08,645 Speaker 2: a pro to but like centered in joy, and then 210 00:14:08,725 --> 00:14:12,005 Speaker 2: we started thinking about like joyful occasions. 211 00:14:12,845 --> 00:14:17,005 Speaker 1: After feeling the effects of protesting and testifying taking their toll, 212 00:14:17,645 --> 00:14:22,125 Speaker 1: Libby and Daniel decided to make space for celebration. So 213 00:14:22,605 --> 00:14:25,485 Speaker 1: they started dreaming about an action that spoke to their 214 00:14:25,565 --> 00:14:29,205 Speaker 1: lives as teenagers, envisioning what it would be like to 215 00:14:29,285 --> 00:14:32,445 Speaker 1: have a day of pure happiness with other kids. 216 00:14:32,325 --> 00:14:36,365 Speaker 8: Like them, and so that's where it kind of snowballs 217 00:14:36,405 --> 00:14:37,085 Speaker 8: into the idea. 218 00:14:38,245 --> 00:14:42,845 Speaker 2: And then we were like, oh, problems are pretty joyful, 219 00:14:42,925 --> 00:14:46,285 Speaker 2: and then they're also a place it makes LGBTQ people 220 00:14:46,405 --> 00:14:49,845 Speaker 2: feel left out. So we wanted to do like our 221 00:14:49,925 --> 00:14:54,885 Speaker 2: own version of prom except where we are all accepted. 222 00:14:55,245 --> 00:14:57,725 Speaker 8: I think we've more focused first in the beginning, like 223 00:14:58,125 --> 00:15:00,725 Speaker 8: what we wanted trans prompt to do, Like what we 224 00:15:00,845 --> 00:15:04,125 Speaker 8: wanted it to be for people, And I was like 225 00:15:04,285 --> 00:15:07,405 Speaker 8: dead say, I was like, we needed to be a 226 00:15:07,565 --> 00:15:09,645 Speaker 8: celebration of who we are. 227 00:15:11,325 --> 00:15:17,005 Speaker 1: Daniel and Libby have officially redefined prom Yeah, there will 228 00:15:17,045 --> 00:15:21,525 Speaker 1: be dancing and music and fabulous outfits, but our duo 229 00:15:21,725 --> 00:15:25,325 Speaker 1: and their friends added in a few more crucial ingredients 230 00:15:25,925 --> 00:15:32,645 Speaker 1: community empowerment and solidarity. In recent years, queer and trans 231 00:15:32,725 --> 00:15:36,205 Speaker 1: teens across the country have been planning their own prominence, 232 00:15:36,765 --> 00:15:42,325 Speaker 1: particularly in states where their identities and gender expression aren't 233 00:15:42,365 --> 00:15:46,925 Speaker 1: as openly affirmed. It's something that every teenager deserves to 234 00:15:47,125 --> 00:15:51,445 Speaker 1: experience and participate in if they want to. So Libby 235 00:15:51,525 --> 00:15:55,365 Speaker 1: and Daniel got to work on perhaps the first national 236 00:15:55,525 --> 00:15:57,525 Speaker 1: iteration of this event. 237 00:15:58,525 --> 00:16:00,365 Speaker 7: And so we went to our parents and our parents 238 00:16:00,445 --> 00:16:02,965 Speaker 7: were like, this is a great idea, and they brought 239 00:16:03,045 --> 00:16:05,205 Speaker 7: us to Chase and Chase was like, I'm not an 240 00:16:05,285 --> 00:16:10,005 Speaker 7: organ measure, but I do know some people, and that's 241 00:16:10,045 --> 00:16:11,045 Speaker 7: how we got the ball rolling. 242 00:16:12,885 --> 00:16:16,965 Speaker 1: That Chase they're speaking about was Chase Strantio, a lawyer, 243 00:16:17,245 --> 00:16:21,045 Speaker 1: transactivist and one of my good friends, Chase, hit the 244 00:16:21,125 --> 00:16:25,325 Speaker 1: ground running, helping them bring their vision to reality. They 245 00:16:25,445 --> 00:16:28,245 Speaker 1: also had help from two other teens they met through 246 00:16:28,285 --> 00:16:31,125 Speaker 1: their activism, Grayson and Hobbes. 247 00:16:31,885 --> 00:16:36,445 Speaker 10: Here's Chase. So transprom originated with a group of four 248 00:16:36,925 --> 00:16:42,165 Speaker 10: young people who with their parents reached out to me 249 00:16:42,405 --> 00:16:46,005 Speaker 10: and said, we're sick of doing the same thing every year. 250 00:16:46,085 --> 00:16:49,605 Speaker 10: We're sick of just spending our childhoods defending our existence 251 00:16:49,805 --> 00:16:53,765 Speaker 10: and urging our lawmakers not to attack us. That is 252 00:16:53,805 --> 00:16:56,805 Speaker 10: a sort of very demoralizing project, of course, and one 253 00:16:56,925 --> 00:17:01,165 Speaker 10: that they recognized that was not either personally or politically liberating. 254 00:17:01,685 --> 00:17:04,325 Speaker 10: And so they came and said, we want to do 255 00:17:04,405 --> 00:17:06,365 Speaker 10: something bigger. We want to do something as centers our 256 00:17:06,605 --> 00:17:09,805 Speaker 10: humanity and our joy, and so trans Pom was born 257 00:17:10,125 --> 00:17:11,045 Speaker 10: of that desire. 258 00:17:13,005 --> 00:17:16,005 Speaker 1: Their vision wasn't necessarily the same as the problems you 259 00:17:16,085 --> 00:17:19,965 Speaker 1: might recognize from movies. Instead, their trans youth prom would 260 00:17:20,005 --> 00:17:22,925 Speaker 1: be in front of the US Capital in Washington, DC, 261 00:17:23,485 --> 00:17:26,645 Speaker 1: and they'd invite young people from all over the country 262 00:17:26,765 --> 00:17:30,245 Speaker 1: to dance and reclaim space right in front of the 263 00:17:30,365 --> 00:17:32,965 Speaker 1: legislators they've been fighting against for years. 264 00:17:33,765 --> 00:17:37,365 Speaker 8: It sets an expectation for what the world will look 265 00:17:37,485 --> 00:17:40,365 Speaker 8: like or the world should look like, because unfortunately, right 266 00:17:40,405 --> 00:17:43,365 Speaker 8: now the world only looks like that in these kind 267 00:17:43,405 --> 00:17:47,125 Speaker 8: of spaces, you know, And so I really want these 268 00:17:47,205 --> 00:17:50,165 Speaker 8: trans youths to see that. I know that they're deserving 269 00:17:50,325 --> 00:17:52,485 Speaker 8: a feeling affirmed and supported. 270 00:17:54,485 --> 00:17:58,165 Speaker 1: So with their mission in mind, they started prepping. Their 271 00:17:58,245 --> 00:18:04,965 Speaker 1: steering committee consisted of Daniel Libby, Rason Hobbs Chase, their parents, 272 00:18:05,285 --> 00:18:09,485 Speaker 1: and some volunteers. Of course, their first order of business 273 00:18:10,045 --> 00:18:12,605 Speaker 1: was ensuring there would be music and a stage. 274 00:18:13,205 --> 00:18:17,205 Speaker 2: We really wanted like a DJ, and then we also 275 00:18:17,285 --> 00:18:21,565 Speaker 2: really wanted like a like a platform for like speaking, 276 00:18:22,525 --> 00:18:24,885 Speaker 2: and then we really wanted a photo booth. 277 00:18:25,565 --> 00:18:29,645 Speaker 1: With the entertainment solidified, the Collective secured a permit for 278 00:18:29,765 --> 00:18:34,885 Speaker 1: the Capital Line on a date in late May, and 279 00:18:35,085 --> 00:18:38,885 Speaker 1: with that they sent out invites reading, you and a 280 00:18:38,965 --> 00:18:43,365 Speaker 1: guardian are invited to trans prom in our Nation's capital 281 00:18:43,965 --> 00:18:48,925 Speaker 1: Attire fabulous and fun, and a few lucky trans adults 282 00:18:48,965 --> 00:18:53,925 Speaker 1: were invited to join the festivities, including yours truly. Then, 283 00:18:54,525 --> 00:18:59,445 Speaker 1: after months of preparation, the Collective welcomed their attendees in DC, 284 00:19:00,205 --> 00:19:03,805 Speaker 1: and the night before Prom, they hosted a welcome dinner. 285 00:19:04,565 --> 00:19:08,765 Speaker 1: Young transphon were darting in every direction, ecstatic to be 286 00:19:08,845 --> 00:19:11,605 Speaker 1: a part of this new group, while the adults looked 287 00:19:11,645 --> 00:19:15,925 Speaker 1: on with pride. And just as everyone settled in, the 288 00:19:16,085 --> 00:19:19,205 Speaker 1: youth got to meet a very special guest. 289 00:19:20,085 --> 00:19:22,285 Speaker 7: And then Chase was like, guys, I have a little surprise. 290 00:19:23,125 --> 00:19:26,405 Speaker 7: And Chase Granjio pulled out his phone and Elliott Pitche 291 00:19:26,525 --> 00:19:29,125 Speaker 7: was there, and I was like, oh my gosh, but 292 00:19:29,605 --> 00:19:31,645 Speaker 7: he's so sweet. He said, like the nicest thing to 293 00:19:31,805 --> 00:19:35,645 Speaker 7: us or things to us, but he was like basically 294 00:19:36,045 --> 00:19:38,605 Speaker 7: all in all was like, I'm so proud of y'all. 295 00:19:39,365 --> 00:19:39,965 Speaker 7: I love y'all. 296 00:19:41,925 --> 00:19:45,365 Speaker 1: No doubt Elliott's words of encouragement were still ringing in 297 00:19:45,445 --> 00:19:48,085 Speaker 1: their ears the next morning, as we assembled on the 298 00:19:48,165 --> 00:19:52,485 Speaker 1: Capitol lawn. That's right on May twenty second. They had 299 00:19:52,645 --> 00:19:56,725 Speaker 1: two hundred people from all over the country travel in for. 300 00:19:56,805 --> 00:19:57,365 Speaker 8: The big day. 301 00:19:58,165 --> 00:20:01,485 Speaker 1: Libby recalls how she woke up really early to get ready. 302 00:20:02,325 --> 00:20:06,085 Speaker 2: So I woke up around three thirty am to go 303 00:20:06,245 --> 00:20:10,165 Speaker 2: to hair and makeup because that took like two or 304 00:20:10,205 --> 00:20:14,045 Speaker 2: three hours. We got to the hair and makeup place, 305 00:20:14,925 --> 00:20:20,005 Speaker 2: and then they asked me to explain to them how 306 00:20:20,005 --> 00:20:22,725 Speaker 2: I wanted my hair to look. And then they like 307 00:20:22,805 --> 00:20:25,325 Speaker 2: made it like perfect, like my exact vision. 308 00:20:26,085 --> 00:20:29,125 Speaker 1: After getting ready, Libby and Daniel have breakfast with a 309 00:20:29,245 --> 00:20:32,285 Speaker 1: bunch of their new friends and lined up in buses 310 00:20:32,405 --> 00:20:33,885 Speaker 1: to head to the Capitol together. 311 00:20:34,645 --> 00:20:37,645 Speaker 2: It was insane, like the entire lobby was full with 312 00:20:37,805 --> 00:20:42,925 Speaker 2: people wearing like sparkly like rainbow outfits. It was amazing. 313 00:20:44,245 --> 00:20:45,965 Speaker 2: So we got out of the buses and they had 314 00:20:46,045 --> 00:20:49,165 Speaker 2: like this huge like thing and you walk like it 315 00:20:49,325 --> 00:20:54,205 Speaker 2: was all the trans adults and the parents, and there 316 00:20:54,325 --> 00:20:58,285 Speaker 2: was like a tunnel of them and they were all 317 00:20:58,405 --> 00:21:02,005 Speaker 2: holding like signs quotes from me, Daniel and the other 318 00:21:02,205 --> 00:21:07,405 Speaker 2: steering committee members. And then and they started playing music 319 00:21:07,725 --> 00:21:12,325 Speaker 2: and everyone was dancing. Oh my god, I was so excited. 320 00:21:12,805 --> 00:21:15,965 Speaker 8: I was so excited because you hadn't fanned it for months, 321 00:21:16,685 --> 00:21:20,525 Speaker 8: months and months and months, and I was like, today 322 00:21:20,645 --> 00:21:25,085 Speaker 8: is like finally, the day today is translocked full action. 323 00:21:25,725 --> 00:21:27,965 Speaker 11: A part of me didn't know what it was entirely. 324 00:21:27,765 --> 00:21:28,445 Speaker 3: Gonna look like. 325 00:21:30,365 --> 00:21:34,685 Speaker 1: The invitation said dress is your most fabulous self, and 326 00:21:35,285 --> 00:21:40,085 Speaker 1: they didn't disappoint. Libby, Daniel and all of their friends 327 00:21:40,245 --> 00:21:45,445 Speaker 1: served us prom royalty with beautiful gowns, flower crowns, glitter 328 00:21:45,525 --> 00:21:48,885 Speaker 1: bow ties, and they radiated trans joy. 329 00:21:49,925 --> 00:21:52,805 Speaker 2: I actually did not plan this, but it was very 330 00:21:52,965 --> 00:21:59,645 Speaker 2: similar to like Wednesday Adams's like dance scene dress. And 331 00:21:59,925 --> 00:22:05,245 Speaker 2: then I had converse with a ton of like necklaces 332 00:22:05,285 --> 00:22:09,365 Speaker 2: with like onyx and laboratory like protective crystals. 333 00:22:09,765 --> 00:22:13,645 Speaker 8: I put on my super awesome glittery boats hie, you know. 334 00:22:14,045 --> 00:22:15,125 Speaker 2: But I had to wake up early. 335 00:22:15,685 --> 00:22:18,765 Speaker 1: The thing they felt most exhilarated by was seeing all 336 00:22:18,845 --> 00:22:23,685 Speaker 1: the young trans kids who felt represented and empowered. There 337 00:22:23,805 --> 00:22:26,845 Speaker 1: was a sense of accomplishment from being able to cultivate 338 00:22:26,925 --> 00:22:28,685 Speaker 1: community on this scale. 339 00:22:31,005 --> 00:22:33,365 Speaker 8: For a lot of people in their state, they didn't 340 00:22:33,365 --> 00:22:36,725 Speaker 8: have a lot of community, and so I feel like 341 00:22:36,765 --> 00:22:40,685 Speaker 8: they were really excited to have community, you know, in. 342 00:22:40,765 --> 00:22:41,805 Speaker 2: This specific moment. 343 00:22:41,885 --> 00:22:43,805 Speaker 8: And that was our main thing, is that we wanted 344 00:22:43,885 --> 00:22:48,445 Speaker 8: people to know that even if like community isn't unfortunately 345 00:22:48,645 --> 00:22:51,325 Speaker 8: out in front of their like front door, but that 346 00:22:51,885 --> 00:22:57,085 Speaker 8: there is community somewhere, you know. And z I mean, like, 347 00:22:57,605 --> 00:23:00,845 Speaker 8: I got community in Kansas City now, and in Texas 348 00:23:01,365 --> 00:23:04,885 Speaker 8: and California and in Maryland and in Austin. 349 00:23:05,485 --> 00:23:07,405 Speaker 2: I don't even know all my states, but I know 350 00:23:07,525 --> 00:23:08,045 Speaker 2: I have them. 351 00:23:08,205 --> 00:23:10,765 Speaker 8: I know, I know I have community in all of them, 352 00:23:10,805 --> 00:23:13,645 Speaker 8: you know. And that was the really important part for us. 353 00:23:15,005 --> 00:23:17,685 Speaker 8: There's not the use that came do that they would 354 00:23:17,685 --> 00:23:18,405 Speaker 8: have community. 355 00:23:18,765 --> 00:23:19,485 Speaker 7: Look at us. 356 00:23:20,485 --> 00:23:21,725 Speaker 5: We are a good thing. 357 00:23:21,845 --> 00:23:22,885 Speaker 6: We are thriving. 358 00:23:23,485 --> 00:23:26,005 Speaker 4: We are making a beautiful moment here. 359 00:23:25,885 --> 00:23:26,565 Speaker 8: At the Capitol. 360 00:23:28,525 --> 00:23:33,085 Speaker 2: I was also really excited to meet the younger trans kids, 361 00:23:33,885 --> 00:23:38,685 Speaker 2: because like really little and I just came out as trans. 362 00:23:40,005 --> 00:23:43,565 Speaker 2: I didn't really know very many other trans kids, and 363 00:23:43,645 --> 00:23:46,325 Speaker 2: so I was so excited to like make friends and 364 00:23:46,605 --> 00:23:50,645 Speaker 2: create a community. But I was also just excited to 365 00:23:50,725 --> 00:23:52,765 Speaker 2: meet all of these people that I haven't met before. 366 00:23:54,005 --> 00:23:57,565 Speaker 1: Daniel and Libby also gave some inspiring speeches to close 367 00:23:57,605 --> 00:23:58,165 Speaker 1: out the day. 368 00:23:58,765 --> 00:24:02,085 Speaker 8: Dread's prom is a celebration of that affirming love and supports. 369 00:24:02,725 --> 00:24:05,925 Speaker 8: It is trans joint and full display. We are proud, 370 00:24:06,885 --> 00:24:10,245 Speaker 8: we are visible, We will not be erased, and we 371 00:24:10,405 --> 00:24:13,525 Speaker 8: courageously stand here today in defiance of those who say 372 00:24:13,565 --> 00:24:18,285 Speaker 8: we are too young to know who we are. We 373 00:24:18,405 --> 00:24:21,765 Speaker 8: are here today because of our transgender ancestors, who face 374 00:24:21,845 --> 00:24:24,485 Speaker 8: discrimination and hate and paved away for for us to 375 00:24:24,565 --> 00:24:27,725 Speaker 8: exist today. We are the legacy, and we are the future. 376 00:24:28,125 --> 00:24:28,485 Speaker 7: We are the. 377 00:24:28,525 --> 00:24:31,365 Speaker 8: Future in which trans people will finally achieve liberation. 378 00:24:32,005 --> 00:24:35,765 Speaker 11: Yes, I know that I'm only thirteen years old, But 379 00:24:35,885 --> 00:24:37,685 Speaker 11: even I know that there are a few things that 380 00:24:37,765 --> 00:24:40,405 Speaker 11: are not for debate. One the fact that we exist. 381 00:24:43,325 --> 00:24:45,765 Speaker 11: Two the fact that gender affirming healthcare has saved our 382 00:24:45,805 --> 00:24:50,405 Speaker 11: lives and allowed us to thrive. Three, the fact that 383 00:24:50,485 --> 00:24:55,565 Speaker 11: our gender is just as real assists people's. Four the 384 00:24:55,685 --> 00:24:58,005 Speaker 11: fact that our presence in the world does nothing to 385 00:24:58,125 --> 00:24:58,845 Speaker 11: threaten others. 386 00:25:01,325 --> 00:25:03,325 Speaker 2: Our joy is ours, and today and. 387 00:25:03,445 --> 00:25:08,365 Speaker 11: Every day we celebrate, grow and embrace it. So thank 388 00:25:08,405 --> 00:25:13,245 Speaker 11: you all for being here, celebrating with us, and being you. Together, 389 00:25:13,485 --> 00:25:15,725 Speaker 11: we will build an even better and more beautiful world 390 00:25:16,005 --> 00:25:16,525 Speaker 11: for us all. 391 00:25:23,965 --> 00:25:27,325 Speaker 1: Seeing Daniel Libby and their peers on that capital line, 392 00:25:27,685 --> 00:25:31,685 Speaker 1: demanding to be heard and demanding their joy was healing 393 00:25:31,845 --> 00:25:34,805 Speaker 1: to me. I saw a glimpse of what my youth 394 00:25:34,885 --> 00:25:37,605 Speaker 1: would have looked like if I'd been supported in my 395 00:25:37,765 --> 00:25:41,205 Speaker 1: identity sooner. It took a lot of risks to come 396 00:25:41,245 --> 00:25:44,925 Speaker 1: out as gay at fourteen, and seemingly even more to 397 00:25:45,045 --> 00:25:48,325 Speaker 1: come out as trans at twenty, But once I owned 398 00:25:48,365 --> 00:25:52,605 Speaker 1: my truth and found community, I became determined to build 399 00:25:52,645 --> 00:25:56,445 Speaker 1: the world that queer and trans people deserve, and these 400 00:25:56,565 --> 00:25:59,685 Speaker 1: young trans folks seemed to have tapped into that commitment 401 00:25:59,765 --> 00:26:03,845 Speaker 1: as well. Their celebration gave me so much life, and 402 00:26:04,005 --> 00:26:07,045 Speaker 1: I was blessed to also have my mom there. The 403 00:26:07,205 --> 00:26:10,445 Speaker 1: sight of her beaming with pride will stay with me forever, 404 00:26:11,285 --> 00:26:14,845 Speaker 1: and I also felt pride as I looked on as 405 00:26:14,885 --> 00:26:17,405 Speaker 1: a new generation claimed its power. 406 00:26:17,805 --> 00:26:21,165 Speaker 7: I really wanted. I mean, for even I'm really hoping 407 00:26:21,245 --> 00:26:26,045 Speaker 7: that we do like transpom annually, but I hope it 408 00:26:26,205 --> 00:26:30,285 Speaker 7: like continues to help empower younger trans youth, you know, 409 00:26:30,445 --> 00:26:33,325 Speaker 7: and to trans youth in general, because I mean, like 410 00:26:35,445 --> 00:26:37,845 Speaker 7: seeing all the little all the all the younger kids 411 00:26:37,925 --> 00:26:42,365 Speaker 7: there being so like happy and finding community and like 412 00:26:43,805 --> 00:26:46,765 Speaker 7: having older trans people to look up to was really 413 00:26:46,965 --> 00:26:49,965 Speaker 7: really amazing. But I know that in like my experience 414 00:26:50,885 --> 00:26:56,485 Speaker 7: that having like older trans people to look up to, 415 00:26:56,725 --> 00:27:01,005 Speaker 7: like with really important for me being able to understand 416 00:27:01,045 --> 00:27:04,005 Speaker 7: that I wasn't alone and to have that understanding that 417 00:27:04,125 --> 00:27:08,285 Speaker 7: I'm just as deserving of like dignity and. 418 00:27:10,045 --> 00:27:10,725 Speaker 3: Human rights. 419 00:27:31,245 --> 00:27:34,725 Speaker 1: Queer Chronicles is a production of School of Humans, The 420 00:27:34,885 --> 00:27:41,125 Speaker 1: Outspoken podcast Network, and iHeart Podcasts. I'm your host Raquel Willis. 421 00:27:41,965 --> 00:27:44,965 Speaker 1: You can find a list of resources in the show notes, 422 00:27:45,125 --> 00:27:50,125 Speaker 1: including trans Lifeline and the Trevor Project. This show was 423 00:27:50,165 --> 00:27:54,445 Speaker 1: written by Jordan Bailey, Etalise Perez, Aaron Edwards and Me. 424 00:27:55,325 --> 00:28:00,365 Speaker 1: Our story editors are Aaron Edwards and Julia Furlan. Produced 425 00:28:00,445 --> 00:28:04,125 Speaker 1: by Jordan Bailey, Julia for Laan and at Elise Perez. 426 00:28:05,285 --> 00:28:10,525 Speaker 1: Our senior producer is Amelia Brock, directed by Etiis Perez 427 00:28:11,285 --> 00:28:15,845 Speaker 1: sound design and mixed by mb al Raheem. Theme song 428 00:28:16,005 --> 00:28:21,725 Speaker 1: composed by Jesse Niswanger, casting by Jordan Bailey and Julia Farlan, 429 00:28:22,605 --> 00:28:27,805 Speaker 1: fact checking by Savannah Hugley. Our production manager is Daisy Church. 430 00:28:28,525 --> 00:28:32,725 Speaker 1: Executive producers include Jay Brunson and Me from The Outspoken 431 00:28:32,805 --> 00:28:37,845 Speaker 1: Podcast Network, Michael Alder, June and Noel Brown from iHeart Podcasts, 432 00:28:38,405 --> 00:28:42,725 Speaker 1: Virginia Prescott, Brandon Barr and Elsie Crowley from School of 433 00:28:42,845 --> 00:28:48,045 Speaker 1: Humans and The Cats Company. Special thanks to Rachel Gonzalez 434 00:28:48,205 --> 00:28:52,245 Speaker 1: and Lisette Truchio. If you're enjoying the show, please share 435 00:28:52,285 --> 00:28:55,445 Speaker 1: it with friends and family, and don't forget to rate 436 00:28:55,525 --> 00:28:59,445 Speaker 1: and review in your favorite podcast app. Tune in again 437 00:28:59,605 --> 00:29:00,085 Speaker 1: next week.