Jen Richards Trans 100 Interview a JRV MAJESTY Production

Jen Richards on the importance of discussing race in the trans community: "A lot of trans activists will talk about the Transgender Day of Remembrance and I've seen a number of videos and read a lot of articles from white activists who never mention the fact that all the names on the list are women of color. If you are doing that, if you are co-opting that event to talk about violence against trans people, but you are not mentioning trans women specifically, trans women of color specifically or sex work specifically then you are failing." Joe Varisco of JRV MAJESTY Productions sits down with Jen Richards founder of We Happy Trans* (www.WeHappyTrans.com) to discuss the launch of the 2013 Trans 100 list. http://www.facebook.com/events/491163934264456 The 2013 Trans 100 is an inaugural overview of the breadth and diversity of work being done in, by, and for the transgender community across the United States. The first effort of its kind, the list intends to shift the coverage of trans issues by focusing on the positive work being accomplished, and providing visibility to those typically underrepresented. This positive recognition will rightfully occur on March 31st, the International Transgender Day of Visibility, and it will be telecast live and documented to be viewed and celebrated by individuals, groups and organizations in other regions and nations. The launch will include remarks by special guests Janet Mock and Dr. Kortney Ryan Ziegler, live performances by Namoli Brennet and Joe Stevens, and will be hosted by KOKUMO. This is a joint production of We Happy Trans, This is HOW, and Chicago House. The event will be free, but donations are encouraged and reservations are recommended. For sponsorship opportunities and media inquiries, please contact producer Jen Richards via [email protected]. Jen Richards lives in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago and is quite happily in an asymptotic relationship to radical authenticity and in a permanent state of aporia. Jen is unabashedly proud to be a graduate of Shimer College, longtime member of the Theosophical Society in America, and an Outward Bound alum, has published articles, led workshops and presented talks on a variety of topics across the country, relishes her work in the arts as the Managing Director of eighth blackbird and President of New Music Chicago, and is the creator of wehappytrans.com She humbly requests your latitude as she figures out what the hell she is doing, and remains genuinely open to feedback. She earnestly loves truth, beauty and goodness. She also loves you, madly. Yes, you. Check out more of Jen's work at: wtftransdating.tumblr.com ourtranschat.tumblr.com translovestories.tumblr.com --- This interview is part of the QUEER LEXICON oral history series that attempts to explore and document the lives of queer Chicago culture makers, innovators and luminaries. QUEER LEXICON is an original JRV MAJESTY Production. For more information or to support this project please contact us at [email protected]