FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Friday, Oct 20, 2023
Jocelyn Foye,
Executive Director, The Womxn Project
[email protected]
w. 401-400-0061
Statement: Local Organizations Speak Up for Trans Youth
Advocates gathered at the William Hall Library to mark the first anniversary of a rally that successfully rebuffed hate-based attacks on trans youth
Providence – On October 18, more than 100 parents, allies, trans, non-binary, and gender diverse community members showed up at the William Hall Library in Cranston to learn how to support the rights of trans youth in schools.
This educational event was co-hosted by TGI Network of Rhode Island, Youth Pride Inc., The Womxn Project, RI Queer PAC, and Thundermist Health Center. The short speaking program was emceed by Jaye Watts of Thundermist, who was joined by colleague Ryan Fontaine, who spoke about what is happening to the trans community in Rhode Island; Stephanie Geller of RI Kids Count, who provided a parent’s perspective; Donnie Anderson of RIDWC, who spoke about ways in which we can work toward change; and April Ruedaflores of The Womxn Project, who told attendees how they can get involved in the movement.
Trans, non-binary, and gender diverse youth deserve safe, supportive schools for the same access to educational opportunities as their peers. Collaborators behind the event believe that targeting trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse students for discrimination harms all students by imposing outdated gender stereotypes on everyone. Young people need allies to ensure they can learn and thrive. Attendees learned about current advocacy efforts and heard about ways they can support those efforts. This event marks the one-year anniversary of the day when more than 200 individuals rallied to reject hate-based attacks on trans youth at the same location in 2022.
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About the Womxn Project
The Womxn Project (TWP) is a statewide organization dedicated to building a strong movement that harnesses the power of art, activism and advocacy. We believe that together we can dismantle systems of oppression and uplift the voices of people in our communities throughout Rhode Island in order to shift power and shape the policies that impact our lives and the lives of our neighbors. We commit to embodying the principles of reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, while cultivating innovation and advancing real and lasting change. For more information, visit www.thewomxnproject.org.