When someone looks at TDOR art I want them to feel the love and healing energy that lies within trans communities and families.

As a queer nonbinary artist, my art work is rooted in the liberation and freedom of my community. That’s why for this Trans Day of Resilience, I offer my art as love to trans youth. I am honored to join Forward Together this TDOR to celebrate the love that makes our trans families bloom.

The visibility of trans athletes, trans models and trans influencers are high right now. Trans youth are living boldly and loudly on social media and are blowing up on TikTok regularly. The TDOR project allows us to normalize our own existence. Unfortunately, it feels like the more we are seen, the more horrible anti-trans legislation comes around. It’s almost an expected retaliation.

When someone looks at TDOR art I want them to feel the love and healing energy that lies within trans communities and families. I want them to feel like they’re part of a chosen family.

The recent wave of bills is psychological warfare against trans people. Even though I’m in a state that’s not directly impacted, the bills still sent a very strong message: trans people aren’t welcome. It impacts how we view ourselves, how others view us. It’s sparking terror. And with SCOTUS ruling against bodily autonomy, the terror is happening at every level. They’re trying to start a battle, and it’s working.

Trans youth have a powerful voice for change—but they shouldn’t be burdened by the opinions of others. Youth should be youth! They should be having fun!

Trans youth have a powerful voice for change—but they shouldn’t be burdened by the opinions of others. Youth should be youth! They should be having fun! They shouldn’t have to change their lives because of laws that can be undone—and will one day be gone. Growing up in African immigrant communities of North Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs, I experienced families that were welcoming, expansive and multigenerational. And whether or not we are accepted by our birth families, we could count on Black trans mams to teach us how to thrive in a world that doesn’t see us or respect us.

Trans youth deserve everything, but the world is really trying to tear them down right now. If you’re a caretaker or supporter of trans people, make sure you are affirming and supportive. Do your best to build them up in any way possible. Even after anti-trans legislation is struck down, the psychological warfare is still at play: a little seed gets planted in our minds to make us think we’re asking for too much.

But we can never ask for too much. Nothing this government gives us will ever be enough. It’s our community that will give us what we need most, like it always has.

I like to think of TDOR art as tokens of that community love. Even if we feel alone or far from the support we need, community is always someplace nearby.