Grass Roots Organizing

[Pamela Raintree]

I'm in Shreveport, La. The trans population is small and closeted for the most part. There is one viable political organization claiming to support trans issues locally, but doesn't. There is an ineffective PFLAG chapter that would support our community if it could get any support from the community. Anyone have ideas on how to shake things up and getting people motivated?

[Jane Hamel]

Pamela, I'm working on it. More so than ever now that here in Western Mass the active trans community seems to have fallen apart completely. I live in Northampton, Ma where last year, June 7th was declared by our mayor to be the "Official Trans-pride Day" at the very successful first "Trans-pride Rally". I take no credit for it because I walked out on the first meeting after witnessing ego conflicts and petty political disputes that I was sure would doom the project. I was wrong and those who stuck with it, Dru and company, (you know who you are) worked extremely hard and made it a great success. Unfortunately, that hard-working group left the area shortly afterwards and no one carried the torch. I hope that I can help change that and I wish you luck as well.

[Pamela Raintree]

Thanks Jane. And I wish you luck as well. Have any ideas on what we can do to improve our luck?

[Eileen Novack]

I just saw this post, and I have to say I'm very, very disappointed that the "Trans-Pride Rally" will not happen again in Massachusetts this year. I so wanted to go to that event last year, but the timing did not work out for me. I was hoping to go this year.

I live on Long Island and there is an active grass roots movement, that is focused on producing a Transgender Day of remembrance service each year. We use this as both a memorial service and as an outreach tool, to help raise awareness on Long Island about Trans issues. We try to hold our service at a new location every few years so we can reach more people on the Island.

We also have produced several local "Trans-Pride" events, and fund raisers, film showings... Anything we can think of to help raise awareness. We are having a Pasta dinner fundraiser at the last church we had our service at last year in June. having our service at a different location is like planting little seeds. This church now wants to hold it's own service each year. So far we have only done this at Unitarian locations. This year we are holding it at a UCC church.

So my suggestion is to get a group of like minded people together and plan a TDOR service, then go and plan other events. Find a friendly church. Usually the Unitarians are very open.

[Pamela Raintree]

PRIDE events around here tend to be hidden away. Talk about your oxymorons. There is going to be a GLBT film festival though - huge first. Tomorrow, 14 August, I am meeting with some fellow artists about organizing an art show with a GLBT theme.

I'll have to discuss a TDOR event with the chaplain at my church. It's a UU congregation.