Fund Trans Youth Freedom School in Central Texas
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On February 22nd, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a letter directing DFPS to investigate families who support their trans and gender non-conforming youth. This latest statewide attack on trans life and dignity aims to enshrine violence and isolation as the new standard of care for trans youth. We envision a different future.
Following this letter, we have seen resistance from educators, social workers, parents of trans youth, and other careworkers who strongly oppose this inflammatory and hateful directive. Presently, there are two main narratives of opposition: the first, to Protect Trans Youth, and the second, that gender affirming care is necessary because it aligns with best practices according to the AMA. These are strong grounds for adults to oppose this transphobia.
Absent in many of these conversations are the actual voices of Trans/GNC/Non-binary youth. So, what is it that trans youth actually want?
To help answer this question, TX Trans Futures developed and led 3 pilot workshops to identify the specific needs of trans/nonbinary/gnc youth in Central Texas, as well as the skills and knowledge that they want to develop. Thus far, the themes include:
- challenging transphobia and homophobia as colonial technologies of control
- learning trans histories in Texas, the US and beyond
- understanding the present waves of transphobic legislation in Texas and beyond
- starting conversations for caregivers to better understand youth
- building practical organizing skills to imagine and to realize trans futures together
From the themes the youth have generated, we are now creating an in-person and virtual summer workshop series. The audience for the in-person workshops are Middle School and High School students in Central TX. Parallel to these workshops, we have partnered with others to create a virtual all-ages speaker series based on these themes.
Our desired outcomes for the in-person workshops:
- Generate a youth-centered national conversation for celebration of trans life
- Teach practical skills and trans histories to empower all youth to build power and challenge transphobia
- Develop youth facilitation skills through a paid skill-building program
- Create a seed curriculum that can be used by others in their communities
We have already led the pilot workshops and synthesized themes, planned the workshop schedule, received partial funding for the virtual series and for 1 youth co-facilitator stipend, and found a community site for the workshops. Now, we need your help to complete the funding for our summer Freedom School.
Currently, our ask is $1750. These funds will cover
- A second youth co-facilitator stipend ($400)
- Food for the 6 workshops ($240)
- Materials for the 6 workshops ($110)
- Speaker fees for the in-person workshops ($300)
- Research and creation of a seed Trans Futures curriculum to be taught by others ($350)
- Operations ($100)
- Zine printing ($100)
- Founding a portable library on trans/nonbinary/gnc life, resistance and joy ($250)
Our principle goal is to create a series that tends to the material needs and concerns of trans/gnc/nonbinary youth in Central Texas, and that connects this moment to the long history of struggle and resistance led by trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming folks. A contribution of any size brings us closer to realizing this dream.
Thank for your support. Together may we dream new dreams, together may be build new futures.
Organizer
Texas Trans Futures
Organizer
Austin, TX
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