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| Ready for Pride! |
Hello Pride Portland!
My
name’s Gia, What’s yours?
It’s great to meet you! Don't you all look fabulous today!
It
is a certainly an honor to be one of this year’s parade marshals, especially
alongside such a luminary as Doug Kimmel. To be honest, I was
very surprised when Micheal Snell from the Pride Portland committee called to
ask If I’d be a marshal, as I’m very new to this work and know so many people
who are far more worthy than myself.
You see, it
was just five years ago that I attended and marched in my very first pride, and
yes, it was right here in Portland.
At the time, I wasn’t really out. I wasn’t out to my friends,
colleagues, students, or my family, but I marched anyway; it was time. And while I was scared and hesitant
about being seen as a transgender woman by the public, I felt safe with my new friends from
MaineTransNet.
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| MaineTransNet prepares for Pride! |
As we walked down Congress St. and the cheers grew louder and
louder, my smile and confidence did too. I had never felt so affirmed in my
entire life. I was free. Six
months later, I began my transition, doing so in full public view, as a high
school teacher in southern Maine, in the very town I live in. Over a matter of
a few months, I went from Mr. Drew to Ms Drew. Imagine that!
Unfortunately, a year later my position was eliminated, and my life’s dream of teaching openly and authentically came to an abrupt end. I tried to move forward, but was unable to find work and became unemployed for nearly two years. An all too common side affect of being OUT as a transgender person. To stay sane and active, I started volunteering with GLSEN, MaineTransNet, and EqualityMaine. There, I found a new
family, a community, and a sense of purpose. It saved my life. And guess what? Just last year, I was
hired as program coordinator at EqualityMaine and named president of the board
of directors of MaineTransNet. And
while I’m back on my feet, I wouldn’t be here today without the incredible support
from the people I work with, my friends, a supportive family, my former partner,
and of course, all the courageous people who paved the way, the true heroes of
our movement.
Unfortunately, a year later my position was eliminated, and my life’s dream of teaching openly and authentically came to an abrupt end. I tried to move forward, but was unable to find work and became unemployed for nearly two years. An all too common side affect of being OUT as a transgender person. To stay sane and active, I started volunteering with GLSEN, MaineTransNet, and EqualityMaine. There, I found a new
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| That's me! Pride Portland Parade Marshal 2015 |
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| Trans Youth speak the truth! |
Before
I go, I want to recognize that as I stand here, transgender people around the
world and right here in Maine, experience harassment, violence, and
discrimination on a daily basis. Far too many of us feel alone and think about
ending our lives because we see no hope or future. That needs to change. And most urgently, the violence against
Trans women of color needs to stop!
So
I’m calling on you Portland to make a difference. I need you to standup to injustice, transphobia, racism, sexism, ablism, and any other form of
discrimination you witness. You have
the power to make a difference, and together
we can create the change that is so desperately needed.
And if anyone asks why… tell them Gia sent you.
And if anyone asks why… tell them Gia sent you.
Thank you everyone and Happy Pride Portland!!!!!
