New York
Living in the light:Spotlight Interviews w/Javannah J. Davis Presents
KAMRYN JERREL (She,Her)
Community Leader, Activist, Advocate
JD: Tell us about yourself? (childhood, coming out experience, etc.) KJ: I am a Transwoman from the 80's. I grew up here in Rochester for most of my life. My childhood is a bit bleak, as I became aware of my Trans status at a very young age. Growing up in a hyper-masculine household didn't afford me the freedom I needed to flourish. So I buried my identity for decades. I became a professional wrestler to offset my "tendencies" as labeled by my father. I hid my sexual identity and Gender identity as best I could. All the while damaging myself along the way. I came out as Trans and Pan at 33 years old. I gave up my wrestling career as I was sure it would be taken otherwise. I was terrified but ready.Things have not been terrible since then. The newfound love I have cultivated for myself was worth the loss. JD: How did family and friends react to your decision to be your authentic self? Were you supported in your decision, if so, by whom? KJ: My family “othered” me, almost immediately. I still have to explain to some of them how their thought processes regarding trans existence are archaic and borrowed white oppression. To no avail. So I am in the midst of making my own family. Blood does not necessarily bond us. JD: What was/is the BEST thing about your transition? KJ: The release of the resentment I had towards myself. Lifts more and more each day.
Kamryn is the host of 'Tranos and the Lived Experience' podcast, a Co-Owner of New Queer Order network, and a LGBTQ+ advocate working towards radical intersectional justice for transgender people. She has spoken out for and educated our community on Black and Trans justice and is the Founder and Board chair of The League for Equity Of Gender In Our Neighborhoods (LEGION), a Black Trans run organization for the defense of gender expansive people in the Rochester area. JD: What was the HARDEST thing about your transition? Is there anything you’d do differently? KJ: I would have done things sooner. Realizing now that the things I feared losing I lost so they were not worth waiting to figure out. Not a single lost friend or family member was a shock to me. I heard how they treated my kind for decades. I was under no disillusion that I would be spared the homophobia or blatant transphobia. I was not Strong enough to see it then, but I am now, but that isn't how time works. JD: What prejudices/discrimination/racism have you experienced as a transgender individual in the Rochester, NY community? If so, what happened? KJ: I have been physically attacked on several different occasions. I once worked a single job for about 16 years. Since coming out I have had to quit 9 times due to hostile environments. And have been fired 7 times, but never for my job performance. In Rochester if you are aware of your rights as a queer person of color you are a liability. Rochester is one of the most Racist, Homophobic, Transphobic, Ableist and somehow still very segregated work environments in all of New york.
