MONICA ROBERTS

Monica K. Roberts (She/Her)-Monica Roberts was a Black trans rights activist, public speaker, blogger, writer, and policy consultant. She was best known for her activism efforts across the nation working on trans equity in policy, and for her blog TransGriot (the term “Griot” is given to a keeper of history in West African culture). One of the purposes of TransGriot was to accurately archive Black and trans history and report trans stories with respect and decency, something mainstream media has only recently begun to do (thanks to Monica’s efforts). Not only was Monica passionate about seeing trans people get the quality of life that every person deserves, she was just as passionate about broader American history, trivia, and sports. Monica’s reporting and storytelling tied all of her communities to the truths that she advocated for, with as much attention to detail as a slow motion reel during n NFL game. Monica, much like a referee calling attention to a player’s position on the field to the inch, called out politicians and broadcast news stations on every foul they committed. With every post, interview and community event, she was able to convey to what needed to be done in Texas, but also across the nation. Roberts spoke, lived… breathed truth for the benefit of those around her.

What’s wrong with having an agenda?

Meeting minutes tickle the throats of homophobes. Send them sneezing up a drizzle of legislation that soothes their aching nose. So powerful, the flick of a twink’s hand when they say

THE COUNCIL NEVER GAVE DEAD1! & didn’t. & gathered all the trans girls for an investigation into why cis people care so much about what’s underneath they skirts. Shade files are color-coded. Teens live for a choreographed moment— a rainbow march, a protest outside Greg Abbott’s house banging on a drum that look like Ken Paxton. They love a beautiful queer future, so we have 1 queer character for every 100 straight ones on TV.

So we have transmascs who play sports & exist unafraid–happy even–to swim with their scarred-up chests. Yes, there will be an influx of stats showing that our people brave enough to disclose facts about themselves— call it agenda, though its proper name is progress.

So we will keep having our alphabet mafia meetings if it means more of us can create a better agenda with this on the list of to do’s:

• Survive this next session

• Get free

• Cancel NYT

• Free everything for Black queers still on this side of the I-35 sun

• Trans people must get to be

• Get free

• Land back

• Clap back at the sight of a homophobe writing wizard books that make houses of shame

• Eat rich people like gluten free bagels at a drag brunch

• More drag brunches, please

• Get free—

- KB Brookins they/them

“We Belong Here “ Series

by Kairos Looney, (They/Them)

“perdóname” By Holden Aramburu (He/They/El)

Alexander J Goodrum

Alexander J. Goodrum (He/Him)Alexander Goodrum was a Black trans man born and raised in Chicago. He was an activist, writer, and teacher in LGBT organizing and social justice issues since 1980 in Chicago, San Francisco, and Tucson (after moving there in 1996). Goodrum was also a speaker, the founder of TGNet Arizona, and a board member for both the Tucson GLBT Commission and the Funding Exchange’s OUT Fund. The OUT Fund allocates an annual grant named after Goodrum to LGBT community organizing projects.

Goodrum was instrumental in getting Tucson to include gender identity in their nondiscrimination law in 1999. He published numerous articles and papers but is best known for “Gender Identity 101- A Transgender Primer,” which the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) uses as the base of their trans comprehension training. Unfortunately, Alexander took his own life in 2002 just days before his forty-second birthday. After his passing, he was awarded the Godat Award, which honors lifetime service to the LGBT community. SAGA initiated the Alexander John Goodrum Catalyst of Change Award in 2015 and honored TV and film star Laverne Cox as the first recipient.