Mia Lozado assumed her mother would punish her when she made her first session for gender-affirming hormone therapy.
Lozado said she was prepared to pack up her belongings and spend the night in the park, but as the words came out of her mouth, Lozado claimed her grandmother looked at her and said,” You do n’t have to do that. I’m around for you”.
” That evening she saw me”, Lozado said.
Lozado shared her story with a group of elected officials, LGBTQ+ protesters, and group supporters in Hartford on Thursday to mark the second-ever trans pride flag sail over the State Capitol in Connecticut’s story while her mother was grinning in the market.
In a historic ceremony last year that affirmed Connecticut’s commitment to trans rights and highlighted the resilience of the trans community in the face of legislative attacks and disproportionate violence across the country, the flag made its barrier-breaking debut above the Capitol.
Advocates this year carried on that message by putting an emphasis on empowering trans youth and celebrating trans joy.
” We are so proud of this beautiful, vibrant community”, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. ” Some people think that flag raisings are not important, and I would respectfully and strongly disagree”.
This is a significant representation of our state. At a time when so many of our rights and so many members of our community are being attacked both state and nation, Bysiewicz added, it states that our state supports the trans community ( and that it supports our LGBTQ+ community ). The governor and I want everyone in our state to be aware that we recognize and respect you, and that we will continue to fight for you by raising this flag.
June Carpenter, a junior at CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School, expressed her satisfaction in knowing that LGBTQ+ advocates in Connecticut “are not done making this world better.”
Carpenter said that she’s lucky to learn in an affirming school climate, grow up in a loving and supportive home, and live in a state like Connecticut.
” This would n’t be possible without the progress, the positive changes in politics, laws and attitudes towards our rights created by many of my adult peers and allies here today”, Carpenter said. ” This year, several bills that aim to protect our community have been proposed. Legislators have spoken in our name and taken actions that show that we are heard, according to what I’ve seen.
Theo Keitt, the son of State Rep. Sarah Keitt, spoke about the need to foster a love culture to safeguard transgender youth across the country.
Keitt, a senior at Fairfield Warde High School, claimed that other states ‘ anti-trans policies, attitudes, and violence affected his decision to enroll in a college in New York City this fall.
Keitt claimed that people kept urging him to apply to Savannah College of Art and Design as he looked at art schools.
” There was always a little voice in the back of my head saying,’ I ca n’t live in Savannah. I ca n’t live in Georgia,'” Keitt said. Many of you in this room, I’m sure, have experienced the same kind of thought when choosing your schools, workplaces, and places of residence.
Keitt said that despite Connecticut’s inclusive policies, the rest of America “is not safe for queer youth”.
” Today’s flag raising will not save the gay 14- year- old in Alabama who’s terrified of being outed at school. It wo n’t save the trans 17-year-old in Oklahoma whose estrogen has just been made illegal, but it will show them that they are not alone, according to Keitt.
Karleigh Chardonnay Webb, an activist, journalist, and Trans Lifeline operator, warned state leaders to not rest on their victories but build on them as Connecticut embraces more trans refugees from hostile states.
” There are families coming to this state, my state, our state who are struggling. They are attempting to flee the anti-trans laws they came from and are seeking refuge and help. Let’s pull together for them. Let’s keep pushing Connecticut forward, and let’s send a strong message to those who want to stop transgender prejudice in Connecticut, Webb said.
Watching as the trans pride flag waved above the Capitol’s gold dome, Christine Rebstock, executive director of media and communications for LGBTS United, said that she does not believe in Trans Day of Visibility.
Rebstock claimed that the LGBTS United, which supports parental rights organizations and has worked to combat gender-affirming care for minors and diversity, equity, and inclusion curricula, oppose the display of any non-government flag on government property.
Rebstock joined the Connecticut Family Institute, Republican lawmakers, and other groups to push a proposal that would require schools to outlaw transgender students from interacting with their parents and forbid transgender athletes from competing in sports that reflect their gender identity.
State Treasurer Erick Russell criticized similar attempts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights in public spaces, including at the workplace.
” Some of these fundamental human rights are being challenged across the country, but also right here in Connecticut,” Russell said.
” Very bizarrely, we have adults who are so fixated on attacking children in our schools and in our communities”, Russell added.
While Russell said he is “hopeful that those adults will at some point step up and acknowledge their errors and will come forward,” he added that state leaders must work every day to protect their constituents.
” Transgender and nonbinary people are here, they are going to be heard, and they wo n’t be diminished, silenced, or erased in our state,” Russell said. Transgender people and all people need to know without reservation that their governments will respect and uphold their freedoms.
