November 2018 Newsletter
Dear Community,
As we move forward into the fall season, The Audre Lorde Project wants to express gratitude for your support in the midst of political conditions that impel us to invest in holding each other closer, with love and protection. We want to thank you for breathing life into the safe spaces, the community rituals, the life-elevating trainings, and the provision of a sustainable framework for community fortification.
This month's big event at ALP is our Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 19th. On this day, we gather with community, comrades, and chosen family to honor the deceased. It's a ceremony where we hold space for one another in reflecting on the narratives of so many whose lives were cut violently short. The work of commemoration is an act of resistance against erasure and also a time for collective renewal of spirit. The timing of this event poignantly situates itself between the leaked government memo threatening to erase transgender identity and the holiday season, which can be a challenging time for LGBTSTGNC folks with family trauma. We hope to provide you with a healing space where you'll feel embraced by community while bearing witness to a collective act of uncompromising self-determination.
We Won’t be Erased: The Audre Lorde Project’s Statement on the Health and Human Services' Proposed Definition of Sex
Recently, a memo for the federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Department was leaked, sharing HHS’s plan to define sex as male or female, and only recognize people in these categories based on their sex assignment at birth. This is yet another attempt by the federal administration to harm trans and gender non-conforming communities by rolling back policies designed to protect us against discrimination. While our community is an already vulnerable and heavily marginalized group, particularly around accessing care, our freedom to self-determine our own gender identities and expressions is at stake. It is important to note that this memo is not yet law. We have an opportunity now to mobilize and demand that government not attempt to erase the lives and experiences of TGNC people.
OUTsiderz Series: First Time Homeownership
Are you curious about how you can work towards owning your own? Join us as we provide information on homeownership in NYC, including an introductions to budgeting, credit, and the mortgage process. Hear from our Audre Lorde Project's community members' first hand experience and learn from their journey. First Time Homeownership is an informative event that aims to build the skills and knowledge in securing homes in our city as we resist gentrification and displacement. This event is open to all Lesbian Gay Bisexual Two-Spirit Trans & Gender Non-Conforming People of Color!
RSVP by following this link: https://goo.gl/forms/ShN7G63KAJTOjlX33
Please complete the RSVP form by November 1st, 2018
This workshop will be Friday, November 2nd, from 6:00pm to 9pm at the Audre Lorde Project's Manhattan office at 147 w 24th Street.
Dinner will be served from 6:00-6:30. The workshop begins at 6:30pm.
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018
The Audre Lorde Project and TransJustice will present Transgender Day of Remembrance 2018, taking place at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Monday, November 19, 2018 from 6pm to 9pm, and featuring conversations and performances in memoriam of those who have passed, but are not forgotten, in our communities. In our current political climate, it is more important than ever to honor the work and resilient legacies of community members who fought, and are fighting, tirelessly for self-determination and survival in the face of overbearing violence and structural oppression. On this day, we confront erasure by honoring their work and lives.
October 2018 Newsletter
Dear Community,
Every Fall, the season itself reminds us that change is constant and inevitable. On this note, let’s reflect on the fortifying events, workshops, conversations, and long-time community rituals The Audre Lorde Project has held over the past several months. Whether it’s celebrating our 20th Annual Chillin’ & Grillin’ along with BedStuy Pride, serving empowering movement building workshops, guiding folks toward community wellness and healing rituals, organizing the Annual Trans Day of Action, or convening members around immediate issues impacting our communities, The Audre Lorde Project has been showing up!
This season, we have a few new team members to welcome on board, fantastic learning opportunities and gatherings ahead, and as always, we want to honor our dedicated staff, volunteers, and movement ancestors for making the work we do possible.
OUTsiderz Series: Trans Justice with Feminist Politics
Trans Justice with Feminist Politics is a workshop that introduces feminist politics to NYC's LGBTSTGNC POC's community, and explores how feminist politics relate to Trans liberation. This training introduces an analysis of oppression, power, harassment, and current issues. The workshop will center Trans, GNC, and Two-Spirit people, and is also open to all Lesbian Gay Bisexual Two-Spirit Trans & Gender Non-Conforming People of Color!
RSVP by following this link: https://goo.gl/forms/mmZWfGHRpLsZoco03
Daring To Be Powerful Part 1 (September & October 2018)
Daring to be Powerful (DTBP) is one of NYC's best training on community organizing, power, & oppression for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Two-Spirit Trans & Gender Non-Conforming People of Color! (LGBTSTGNC POC)
Part 1, Foundations of Organizing: Utilizing study and lived experiences to begin dismantling oppressive structures. Great for new organizers, or folks going back to the basics!
Part 2, Nourishing the Seed: A deeper dive in to the critical roles of how healing, safety, gender, and race operate within Community Organizing. Great for people looking to expand their roles as organizers.
RSVP by following this link: https://goo.gl/forms/wPORdOB5rK5b7v0O2
Community Security Call for Bed-Stuy Pride 2018
Exciting News at ALP!
Dear Community,
On behalf of all of the staff and board of The Audre Lorde Project, we are happy and proud to announce the promotion of Cleopatra Acquaye-Reynolds (Cleopatra from the Bronx) from Membership Coordinator to Program Director.
TDOA Community Security Training
Join us for a community security training in preparation for our 14th Annual Trans Day of Action. If you havent already, RSVP for TDOA: https://www.facebook.com/events/1720309584730103/. We hope to see you there!