What is “The Trans Takeover”?
The Trans Takeover is an exploration of my ownership in processing joy, love, sadness, and the fullness of my being as a person of Trans Latina experience. In the age of media justice, this blog is my take on a digital magazine to center and celebrate all things trans culture, everywhere.
Zines have served as mediums of arts for many years of this planet. Magazines have additionally played their own role in terms of distribution, vision, and pushing the narrative of pop-culture in a way that moves us forward - and I would argue even sometimes back. In seeking how I want to archive my journey of trans femme baddie-ness, and the folks I walk alongside with I felt it was time to give The Trans Takeover breathe.
If you've ever read Paolo Coelho's "The Alchemist" we learn about Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of worldly and otherworldly treasures extravagant as any ever found. I resonate with the story of this young shepherd because in deeply leaning into this transition moment I've also learned to make gold, worlds, and talk with the sky. He sells his flock and buys a ticket to an unknown land, and in the desert meets an alchemist. The alchemist tells the boy, "wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure."
The Trans Takeover is my renaissance, and I'm excited for y'all to experience it.
This treasure is an ownership of the space, knowledge, resources and magic that I know will create space for further magic of all TGI individuals.
In the leadership programs I've been a part of I have been able to find a power in my trans journey that I'm ready to share at a larger scale. As someone who loves to collage, magazines have served as a home for a lot of the discovery and visions I've birthed. There is a spark that takes place when scissors, glue, and time come together. Through pages of Vogue, Home & Gardens, WIRED and other publications I saw that I could create boards of the worlds to see. My visions held room for the Trans Joy that I know in my heart is possible for the gender baddies of the world.
This treasure is an ownership of the space, knowledge, resources and magic that I know will create space for further magic of all TGI individuals. As an artist, it is my job to mirror the world around me. To share experiences with readers that resonate with that of the badass journey you are also walking. To talk alongside you all I needed to realize that the happy, the sad, and the complex emotions that come with the pursuit of life were all things meant sharing. Like others I had to ask myself about the person inside of me, the one who sits behind the makeup and also knows that she's getting further into her story each and every day.
In each post I dig deeper than the last and today's foundation is the perfect blend of color, styles, textures, depth, and creative vision. It is a new energy, and a celebration of The Trans Takeover that 2023 held. One example of this occurred in May 2023, where "The Trans Takeover" built a moment of solidarity for the Writers Guild of America's Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Writers Subcommittee. Through the formation of the subcommittee the estimated 800 baddies met at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Van Ness Ave to advocate Netflix for more trans stories told and written by trans writers. With an aim to greatly improve the magic and visibility for all TGNC both within the industry and in their own guild, The Trans Takeover is a fight that I'm excited to be a part of.
I wish to spark curiosity in your journey so that in your next moment, magic can turn it into a movement. The Trans Takeover is a movement; from people taking over the stage at the annual Creating Change Conference, to Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip's purchassing of the Miss Universe brand, to over 500+ bills introduced in the 2023 legislative session The Trans Takeover is here and louder than ever.
In my next post you all will hear about my work with the SGV LGBTQ+ Center, and the amazing magic 2023 held in store for the community of the San Gabriel Valley. Being the President these past three years has taught me a lot, and being on the Board of Directors these past six years has been even more magical! In the meantime, feel free to hear about some of our story by listening to Color Me Queer! a podcast showcasing the vastness of the San Gabriel Valley.
Today we made gold, worlds, and talked with the sky. The Trans Takeover is revving up, and I'm excited to continue to center and celebrate all things Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Gender Expansive, and Intersex through each post, story and more.
