Trans Youth of Mississippi: You Are Not Alone

Trans Youth of Mississippi: You Are Not Alone– by TRANS Program Key Leaders

Written by: Cole-Finley Nelson

To the Trans Youth of Mississippi,

The circumstance under which this letter is warranted is devastating and infuriating; whatever you may be feeling, you are not alone in it -nor should you shield it away. Your pain is deserving of attention and reparation. Hear this empowering declaration from Cole Arthur Riley’s book, This Here Flesh, “...together, we won’t get lost in despair. Your wails are worthy to be heard.” There is strength in community, our collective pain transforming into a battle cry against the blanket of darkness. It can feel all-consuming when faced alone, but transversable when accompanied. When we let our pain be seen, it reinvents itself into growth and change; it guides us so we will not be lost.

You have a community of people from all walks of life who are fully invested in this fight. It is not just those you know intimately who care deeply, but a far-reaching web of communities and individuals ranging from around the country, such as Ohio, California, and Pennsylvania, who are standing with you and will not let you fall. Jules (Key Leader) reminds us, “Have hope, we are fighting for you with everything we have. United, we will enact change. Remember you are loved, you are worth it.” and Alison (Key Leader) confirms, “I know things are crazy right now and it seems like everyone is against you. Don't give up hope. There are many folks that are fighting for you and are here to help support you the best we can.” It is easy to find yourself weighed down by the current attacks on your rights -easy to feel alone in it- but you have hands outreached to hold you up. Ace (Key Leader) echoes this sentiment in saying, "It may look grim right now, but you are not alone. People are out here advocating for you. People are here who do care about you. Don't give up."

It’s okay to be scared, angry, and overwhelmed -we all are too; use the strength of those emotions to propel you in this rally to be seen. Because you deserve to be seen. Samantha (Key Leader) emphasizes, “I see you. You are loved. You are family.” Times are turbulent and you are facing despicable discrimination to a degree no one, especially not you, should ever have to experience. Jensen (Key Leader) shares his thoughts and encouragement by saying, “Sometimes the people who get to make the rules are the people who don’t care to understand. The good news is– there are many other people who will listen, stand by your side, fight for you, protect you and show you the love and care that you deserve. You have an army that will never give up on you. You’re worth it.” And Roz (Key Leader) reminds you, “Don’t despair, we will get through this together. And things will get better… they always do.”

We, the Key Leaders of the TRANS Program, are here to sit with you in your fears, stand with you in the fight for what’s right, and support you in the uncertainty of what is to come. No matter the opposition, the trans community will not be bullied into silence or complacency. As a call to strength, Maya Angelou defiantly wrote, “you may write me down in history / with your bitter, twisted lies / you may trod me in the very dirt / but still, like dust, I’ll rise.” We will never stop fighting for you– for us. The value of your life and the importance of your voice is not contingent on the approval of others who deem themselves more worthy. Every time we are pushed down, we will rise again and again. You are part of a community deeply interconnected with each other, collectively bearing witness to the weight of the pain we each carry and holding space where we can experience the freedom of being seen. We will one day have that freedom everywhere. In our bond together, we will never be broken.

We will fight for the days of freedom to come, but as we fight, we offer you a reminder: breathe and trust you aren’t alone.