Sistas of the T
By Rose D'Longcroi
http://www.baltimoregaylife.com/features/item/725-sistas-of-the-tMonica Yorkman comes across as your average Baltimore grandmother: stylish flats, jeans and sweater set, and a too-young-to-be-a-grandmother sway. When our 90 minute conversation drew to a close, the discussion turns fondly to her "grand-babies" and preparations for their pending sleepover.
That is the nature of Yorkman: to be the warm encourager, firm, guiding hand, and occasional kick-in-the-pants one requires to move forward on this journey called life. Yet Yorkman's gracious calm took a turbulent childhood before she would be comfortable in the body she was born in. It is this hard-earned comfort she is offering to others in her weekly meetings, "Sistas of the T."
Within the safe space of the Baltimore Community Resource Center, Yorkman invites other T sistas to discuss discrimination, housing, substance use, mental health, life after surgery, re-emerging in a new social role, and the life skills that extend beyond the ladies-of-the-night profession that many in the trans community consider their only option.
