LETTER FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN- CHIEF
We all have dreams. Dreams of success. Dreams of belonging. Dreams of love. Whatever our dreams may involve, we are all driven to see them realized—a concept that is as much universal as it is personal. NYC Pride serves as an annual reminder that while we are each on our own path to destiny, as a community we journey together. Some dreams are close to becoming reality—a result of their own successes—while new dreams are beginning to come to the forefront of our public discourse. Trans issues have, for years, been ignored by our own community and the broader public. Now, trans individuals and their struggles are receiving the recognition and attention they deserve. Bruce Jenner declared he identified as a female to over 17 million people on network television. Last year’s NYC Pride Guide cover girl, Laverne Cox, has risen from up-and-comer to celebrity powerhouse with Emmy wins and features in magazines like Time and Allure. Jeffrey Tambor won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of a male-to-female trans individual in the Amazon series Transparent. All of these portrayals in media have only helped to increase awareness and acceptance of trans individuals, trans youth, and their friends and families. Recently, I came across a segment from NBC News about a couple, Mimi and Joe, with a son named Jacob. Jacob had been named Mia at birth. His parents were surprisingly open and accepting of the idea that their child would eventually transition to a boy. The story brought tears to my eyes as I realized that
this story, which five to ten years ago would have never been pitched, was airing on a mainstream nightly news program. Without the tireless work of our community leaders and organizations focused on trans issues, none of this would be possible. We are entering a new era in this country where children like Jacob can be born into a reality in which any child can truly live out their dream of becoming the prince or princess they are meant to be. For this year’s Pride Guide we commissioned a photo editorial on average trans Americans doing ordinary and extraordinary things in our community. The piece is raw, original, and personal. We feel it embodies the message that we wanted to convey when deciding on NYC Pride’s theme for this year: Complete the Dream. These individuals are breaking down barriers and creating a dialogue on what it means to be a transgender individual in an ever-changing landscape. From Brooke Guinan—who shattered stereotypes to become FDNY’s first and only active trans firefighter—to Kye Allums—the NCAA’s first out trans player in history—these individuals prove that no matter your age, race, or ultimately gender, we can all relate to the concept of achieving a dream.
We dream of success. We dream of belonging. We dream of love. Together, our individual dreams combine to create a modern day narrative of hope and personal truth that will define our generation.
—Chris 8