Photos from Brooklyn Liberation 2021 March for Trans Youth

Going to the Brooklyn Liberation March on June 13, I didn't realize how warm and inviting it would be. When I arrived and was greeted by activist Jezz Chung, who led a healing meditation ahead of the march, I then knew the march wouldn't just be a powerful show of support for Black trans youth, it would also be a restorative moment for many.

In a statement of intent on their website, Brooklyn Liberation announced the Sunday march was an emergency action in response to the spate of anti-trans legislation sweeping across the country, aimed largely at trans youth. Bills that preclude trans young people from playing sports, accessing health care, and more have been filed — and in some places passed — in dozens of states. “Dreams are being taken away from trans youth,” the statement says. "Let kids play. Everyone deserves agency, bodily autonomy, health care, and self determination. Trans health care saves lives. Let kids speak. Trans youth are who they say they are. Trans youth know their truth."

Those intentions were palpable in the air. As everyone gathered, hosts Joshua Obawole and Junior Mintt began to make their statements for the start of the day. From there, every speech and conversation held on the steps of the Brooklyn Museum spoke nothing but assurance that trans adults and youth were loved and needed in this world.

Trans women are powerful and beautiful, and that much was clear when Qween Jean and Joela Rivera spoke. Their words were poignant and drove the point that we are family, and that they're now mothers to trans youth too. To know that this march was about reform and to urge our country to change shows that there is a long way to go in trans rights.