Transgender advocate Janet Mock: 'Be unapologetic for who you are'
by Tony Merevick on February 21, 2013
http://chicagophoenix.com/2013/02/21/transgender-advocate-janet-mock-fight-to-be-heard-fight-to-gain-access/"Growing up, I never thought I'd be in a room in front of people proclaiming I'm a trans woman. It was never part of my plans, necessarily, I was just living. ...Each time I unapologetically stand in front of a room of people and proclaim that — and link my womanhood with my color and with my trans-ness — there's great power in that."
As Janet Mock shared anecdotes from her journey to become an advocate for transgender women, several in the audience of dozens gathered at University of Chicago Tuesday night clapped, snapped their fingers and nodded in agreement — especially when the inspirational figure urged them to join her in the fight for inclusion within the community.
[...]
Much of her speech focused on moments in her life and coming out as a transgender woman and how those things relate to her challenging the limited, socially-constructed views on womanhood. With these stories, she called upon people in the room to come together, to fight to be included, to be heard and to gain access in the community.
Her message, first and foremost, was about empowerment.
"Today I urge you to fight to be heard. Fight to gain access," she said. "I urge you to be unapologetic for who you are."
