I have been trying to figure out what I was going to write as my first post and I think the best would be to tell a little bit about myself. From my short bio. I identify as Black, Transgender, Genderqueer, and Queer. For me all of these identities hold different meanings knowing that intersectionality is something and EVERYONE NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE. Over arching being BLACK is the biggest because of how in America blackness is seen as something that is evil, scary, some people will say inhuman. All of the murders that have been going on for decades this is not a new issue and racism runs ramped in the country especially for more targeted populations i.e. Transgender Women of Color. We need to understand and support our sisters because they are being killed DAILY. Let us change these systems to help our sister SURVIVE!

For me, being a black transgender, genderqueer, queer person is powerful. Being trans and deciding to medically transition and be non-binary is the most powerful. Understanding how fluid gender is I thought I could never be myself and still be feminine while being on T, having top surgery, etc. Being a more gender fluid person  have open my eyes to being a more authentic Tristan! Growing up in the midwest having little access to resources all of my knowledge (or at least most of it) came from the internet. I came out at 16 as FTM because of my best friend who is now like a big brother to me. Throughout my high school experience I was the only out trans person. I believe that 5+ years later that it is still the same. Going to university opened my mind more to other genders and in the result becoming more non-binary. Understanding that this is one story and that others might have been able to access institutions because of various factors. We all have don’t experience the same things in the sense of gender it is all subjective to the individual.

Throughout my short life so far of only 23 years I’ve learned so many things from the good to bad, the terrifying to amazing. Learning how to not only uplift others, but myself. Sharing my story and uplifting ones that need more of voice than mine. Seeing that there are so many beautiful people that I have met who are so strong and have been able to help me become the person who is writing this blog. This is never an end, but a continuation. So this is me Tristan or TK. A Black, Transgender, Genderqueer, Queer person! PRONOUNS ZE/ZIR/ZIRS! I am proud to be who I am and to have life and breathe.

  ~ Tristan