Local Leaders, T/GNC Community Praise Findings, Cultivation of a Safe Space
FERNDALE – On the eve of the city of Ferndale's annual Pride weekend, Transcend the Binary debuted its "Finding Our Strength" survey results in the form of an art gallery, which includes banners highlighting key findings as well as interactive portions for onlookers to better understand a day in the life of a member of the t/gnc community.
"As our exhibit highlights, worry about discrimination invades our daily life. Our days often revolve around preparing for discrimination or trying to avoid it, whether that's going to the doctor, bathroom use at work, or even in our own homes," said Brayden Misiolek, co-founder of Transcend the Binary. "At the same time, our community shows a brilliant ability to be resilient. We are so proud of who we are and how far we've come, but we know much more needs to be done to ensure our community is healthy, not just physically, but mentally and socially as well. Our community deserves it."
Finding Our Strength survey results in the form of an art gallery at Affirmations through August. Courtesy photo
The exhibit will be on display through the end of August. It is free to the public. Guided tours are available for a more in-depth review at a nominal fee. All proceeds go toward Transcend's programming and services – which are free to members of the t/gnc community – as well as expanding and refining the organization's research, which is done in partnership with the University of Michigan.
"Affirmations is really excited to be able to work with Transcend the Binary to do the art gallery exhibit," said Lilianna Reyes, interim director at Affirmations, where the exhibit is displayed in the community center's Pittmann-Puckett Gallery. "We support research for and by the trans community, and we're excited to partner with them."
Heather Aymer, community resource coordinator at Affirmations, Brayden Misiolek, co-founder of Transcend the Binary, and Julia Music, chair of Ferndale Pride. Courtesy photo
In addition to displaying the research findings and quotes from respondents, the gallery features empowering portraits of members of the t/gnc community, as well as interactive elements to engage audiences.
"I'm so proud of the accomplishments that Transcend the Binary has made," said Julia Music, chair of Ferndale Pride. "People need this information. It's really an unbelievable piece of work that we have."
Transcend the Binary is an organization housed within Affirmations that seeks to empower the transgender and gender non-conforming community through access to affirming care, resources, research, and education. Staff are available at the community center weekly for those seeking services such as hormone counseling, medical referrals, youth and family support, fitness and nutrition counseling, and more – all of which are provided free of charge. For more information, please visit www.transcendthebinary.org.
