University Celebrates Trans Week of Liberation 2021

Trans Week of Liberation (TWoL), presented by the LGBTQ Resource Center is an annual celebration of trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people as well as an opportunity to challenge our communities to go beyond visibility and representation through a variety of events and programs.

“Despite an increase in visibility, the trans community continues to be one of the most marginalized members of our society, with disproportionate rates of homelessness, violence and lack of basic resources. This inequity is only exacerbated for Black and Brown trans women,” says Jorge A. Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “We encourage the Orange community to join us at this year’s TWoL events and celebrate trans folks while increasing their knowledge of how to support them.”

Trans Week of Liberation 2021 will host both in-person and virtual events.

Trans Pride Across Campus
Starting on Monday, March 29, the Trans Pride flag will be raised in front of Hendricks Chapel. Additionally, the grassy knoll will be filled with small flags and educational resources on the trans community.

Virtual Trans Social
Join the LGBTQ Resource Center and members of the Orange community on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, from 7 to 8 p.m., for a virtual and closed group social for trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, gender fluid and/or gender questioning folks to meet and find community. A meal ticket will be provided in lieu of an in-person social after registration.

Where White Supremacy, Transantagonism and Religious Violence Collide Workshop
Join J. Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, co-editors of “The Black Trans Prayer Book,” virtually Wednesday, March 31, 2021, from 7 to 9 p.m., to learn more about how racial justice and religious institutions that perpetuate anti-trans violence are connected to trans liberation. Additionally, this space welcomes Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) invested in healing from religious trauma and those who want to be in better solidarity with Black Trans and Non-binary folks.

TWoL Commemorative Keynote Performance: The Black Trans Prayer Book
On Saturday, April 3, 2021, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the campus community is invited to join J. Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi in a virtual journey of “The Black Trans Prayer Book.” This interfaith, multi-dimensional, artistic and theological collection of stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells and incantations of Black trans and non-binary people, creates an uplifting foundation of healing and affirmation.

For more information or to request accommodations, please contact the LGBTQ Resource Center by calling 315.443.0228 or emailing lgbt@syr.edu.