Jordyn Jay
Iman Hill
Kimiyah Prescott
The series touches on several points of celebrating and supporting our Black Trans community but also “understanding that Black Trans people don’t have housing background, people don’t have healthcare, Black Trans people are missing a lot of resources that it takes be an artist and be able to create in a sustainable way,” explains Jordyn Jay, Executive Director of BTFA, in episode 1 of the docu-series. Jordyn Jay created the organization in 2020 to offer grants to Black Trans femme artists and has programmed with nationally recognized artists. The mission is to help create spaces for the production and preservation of Black trans art and culture by building community with Black trans femme artists and providing them with the resources and support necessary to thrive.
Many Black trans women face barriers to accessing gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries, due to financial constraints, lack of insurance coverage, and discriminatory policies. And transphobia and racism intersect to create systemic barriers to employment, housing, and financial stability, leaving many Black trans women economically marginalized and vulnerable to poverty and homelessness.
In addition to these structural challenges, Black trans women also grapple with social stigma and marginalization. They often face rejection and exclusion from family, friends, and communities, leading to feelings of isolation and alienation, which leaves them potentially exposed to a lack of protection from potential danger and violence. Based on a data from the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, released by The Advocate in February 2024, “In 2023, there were 35 homicides of transgender or gender-expansive people. 80% of these were with a gun. Black trans women face the bulk of this violence: in 2023, 50% of gun homicides were of Black trans women.” And so it’s integral to consider all of these variables that work against the Black Trans community while finding the best ways to support Black Trans creatives and all that they are, who often experience this very real reality.
“That’s why we need the artistic boldness to push beyond boundaries and imagine a future of possibility for everyone,” says Imara Jones, creator of TransLash Media for The Advocate. “The scale and scope of these audacious attacks are why now is the time to tell trans stories, celebrating the storytellers and artists who do just that.”
Go watch “Artistic Legacies” on the Advocate Channel now. To follow more with TransLash media follow them on Instagram here,