BY AJ TRAGER
DETROIT – Michigan Trans Autism Activist, Dr. Mira Krishnan, is scheduled as a keynote speaker in the second annual V To Shining V. The event was designed by the creator of "The Daily Show," Lizz Winstead, to celebrate womenfolk and their accomplishments and successes.
V To Shining V will be held Sept. 26 and is a product of Lady Parts Justice, a rapid response collective founded in 2012 that uses comedy, culture and digital media to bring awareness to the state of women's reproductive rights and access to safe and secure sexual health care so people will get "off their asses and reclaim their rights."
Lady Parts Justice pays homage to former Michigan state Rep. Lisa Brown, who — while in office — was banned from the House floor for using the word vagina when arguing against a transvaginal ultrasound bill. She later asked what term she "should" use instead and members of the House suggested something less provocative, like "lady parts."
Featured speakers include former House representative and County Clerk Lisa Brown; Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence; Executive Director of the ACLU of Michigan, Kary Moss; Dr. Krishnan, a behavioral health leader and advocate for children's, women's and LGBT issues; and Renee Chelian, owner of Northland Family Planning Clinics.
"Part of the reason women don't act like the majority (now 51 percent of the U.S. population) is that women look at the movement and they don't see themselves," says Krishnan. "The fact is that women are really diverse, and working together on something like V to Shining V is one way we come together."
Krishnan spoke at the inaugural Detroit event in 2014, where she shared her feminist experience as a transgender woman.
"The fact that we had trans and cis people there, black and white and brown people, straight and LGBT people — that's where you see how diverse the movement really is, and you see how interconnected all the issues we experience as women are," Krishnan said. "I was grateful my message was welcomed and we all had a chance to learn from each other. That's how we move this movement forward."
Krishnan is eager to speak again at V to Shining V Detroit 2015 and lend her voice to the Lady Parts Justice organization.
"I love the unapologetic nature of Lady Parts Justice, and the humor it brings to the (feminist) movement," Krishnan said. "The fight can be draining, so it's good to have some humor to help keep us marching forward. And I am unapologetic about my feminism. I'm not sorry for thinking women deserve reproductive freedom."
This year's event will be hosted by LPJer stand-up comic Alex English with performances by musician Kelly Elizabeth, slam poet Jassmine Parks, poet Sadia Ghazi, BIKINI KILL tribute band Tankini Kill and DJ Sense from the all-female hip hop collective The Foundation. Other activities will include a silent auction of art and gifts all donated by local businesses and organizations.
V to Shining V kicks off promptly at 3 p.m. Sept. 26 with opening remarks from Lisa Brown at PJ's Lager House located at 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit. Cost of attendance is a suggested $5 donation and all ages are welcome to join. All funds raised from the event will support the work of Lady Parts Justice, which includes education and outreach in support of women's reproductive justice. Lady Parts Justice is a project of the Sixteen-Thirty Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization.
