It was the best of years. It
was the worst of years. 2014 has shown great progress and great
loss.
This year the transgender
community of Michigan has come together more so than any time in the
past. Activism was at its highest thus far. The community mobilized
to fight in Lansing to add gender identity and expression to the
Eliot Larson Civil Rights Act. Although the bill did not pass, the
transgender community refused to be ignored and the groundwork has
been laid for future progress. This groundwork will be crucial in
years to come.
Attendance at our events are
breaking records each year. Transgender Pride in the Park had almost
200 participating. People came from all over the Midwest and we had
more vendors than ever before. Our Health Fair also broke records.
We had many more exhibitors than in past years.
The help line (the first in
the country) has been getting more calls than any time in the past.
We tripled the number of people answering the calls. Many people have
told us that our help line was the only resource they could find when
they really needed help.
Transgender Michigan
chapters are thriving and growing. Our Traverse City and
Mid-Michigan chapters hosted great Transgender Day of Remembrance
events. New chapters are starting up, covering every region of
Michigan.
Our speakers have been asked
to talk to many more university classes and groups.
Other transgender
organizations in the state are doing incredible work.
Contributions to Transgender Michigan can be made at http://www.transgendermichigan.org/contribution.html
– Rachel Crandall, Executive Director,
Transgender Michigan
