The Trans Empowerment Project
Who we are:
The Trans Empowerment Project was started by Jack Knoxville, in East TN.
A little back story about why we exist:
In 2015, after Caitlyn Jenner made the cover of Vanity Fair, the trans community seemed to become both a beacon and a target of society. That same year there were more trans murders reported than any other year before. The violence toward this community has continued to rise, especially with the introduction of anti-trans bills such as the notorious bathroom bill HB2 in NC.
With the new administration getting ready to take over and more states threatening to add anti trans bills to their agenda, now more than ever, we need to strengthen ourselves as a community, rather than isolate and hide in the shadows. But we can't do it alone!
The Trans Empowerment Project, was created to bridge the gaps between the trans community and our allies in and around Knoxville.
What we are doing:
We already have several projects on the calendar for 2017 that include the following:
*Working with Planned Parenthood to reduce the cost of trans care (especially HRT) in East TN.
*Holding semi-annual (spring and fall) clothing swaps to help clothe our friends and neighbors.
*Educational events and workshops to increase visibility and social awareness of trans specific issues
*Monitoring anti-trans legislation in and around TN; organizing action committees to help combat hate.
*Introducing a Safe Space Initiative known as "Protect Knoxville" which will have businesses sign a pledge to protect all patrons regardless of identity and self expression against all forms of hate and discrimination.
*Creating a full print resource guide for the LGBT community
*Contributing to the fund raising efforts for trans specific surgeries locally
*and more.
The core purpose of the project is to connect rather than divide and to provide resources to improve community relationships especially in East TN, with a long term goal of furthering trans care for our community members.
What we need help with:
The organization was created in 2016, but we still don't have our 501(c)(3) (the paperwork that needs to be filed to declare us an official non-profit so that your future donations are tax deductible) and we need your help!
Aside from filing the 501(c)(3) paperwork, we will be using this money to get the ball rolling on some of the projects listed above including "Protect Knoxville"
Below is the sticker design for "Protect Knoxville" the campaign to identify and create safe spaces around Knox County.
Just a small amount of the clothing donations we received for our first event. Below are a handful of photos from that night. You can always see more on Facebook as well.
Sorting clothes for our 1st event!
One of several live performances during the 1st ever Trans Night of Empowerment. (Dec. 13, 2016)
Representatives from Planned Parenthood, Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, and RescuingHealth.org were all on hand to answer questions for the community during the 1st offical Trans Night of Empowerment in Knoxville.
