Posted on Mar 15, 2022
13 trans models strut against Arkansas' anti-trans laws
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For the last decade, transgender activist Lisa Stuart has dedicated her life to raising the visibility of transgender and nonbinary Arkansans.
“What a lot of people don’t realize is that there’s a lot more of us in the community than you’d think,” she said. “There’s kind of this narrative that you’ll never find a trans person here, that it’s so rare.”
Last year, the state’s trans community finally gained the attention of the nation. But it wasn’t what Stuart had hoped for.
In April, Arkansas made international headlines after becoming the first of two U.S. states to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Aside from the health care law — which was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in July — a law signed by the governor last March that limits trans participation in school sports also drew widespread attention to the state’s trans population.
“What a lot of people don’t realize is that there’s a lot more of us in the community than you’d think,” she said. “There’s kind of this narrative that you’ll never find a trans person here, that it’s so rare.”
Last year, the state’s trans community finally gained the attention of the nation. But it wasn’t what Stuart had hoped for.
In April, Arkansas made international headlines after becoming the first of two U.S. states to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Aside from the health care law — which was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in July — a law signed by the governor last March that limits trans participation in school sports also drew widespread attention to the state’s trans population.
13 trans models strut against Arkansas' anti-trans laws
Posted from nbcnews.com
Transgender
LGBTQ+
Gender
Posted 2 y ago
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We are a state full of low intelligence nut jobs who are easily conned by religious and right wing power seekers, unfortunately.
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When will lawmakers pull their heads out of their behinds and realize that their are people who don't fit their stereotypes?
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."As trans Arkansans wait to see whether the courts will let the health care law stand, Stuart is spotlighting the trans community on her own terms. To open Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week on Thursday, she helped put together a fashion show, which she described as a “vehicle of change,” that featured 13 trans models.
“We really want to promote this awareness and this visibility that trans people are a part of the community, that we are everywhere, and that we are in every aspect of society, any hobby, any occupation,” said Stuart, who was one of the 13 models walking in the event. “The more people begin to understand what trans is, the more they will begin to see the problems with these pieces of legislation.”
Clothes from the fashion show — which was organized by the arts nonprofit Interform — were all selected by The Transition Closet, an Arkansas-based nonprofit that offers free clothing for the LGBTQ community. The group also received 10 percent of the ticket sale proceeds.
Amare Roush started The Transition Closet in June in response to the legislation that was passed in the state. Roush, who goes by gender-neutral pronouns, said they wanted to give their community a “safe place” to find clothes and enjoy fashion.
“It’s the first thing that people see on a job interview; it’s the first thing that people see on a first date,” Roush said. “I wanted my fellow siblings in the community to be able to have that closet there so they could get those clothes, so they could put that first foot forward and be able to be their authentic selves.
“Luckily, we’re able to do our part to make it a little less scary for the community, because that’s what we truly need right now,” they added, referring to the legislation."...
..."As trans Arkansans wait to see whether the courts will let the health care law stand, Stuart is spotlighting the trans community on her own terms. To open Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week on Thursday, she helped put together a fashion show, which she described as a “vehicle of change,” that featured 13 trans models.
“We really want to promote this awareness and this visibility that trans people are a part of the community, that we are everywhere, and that we are in every aspect of society, any hobby, any occupation,” said Stuart, who was one of the 13 models walking in the event. “The more people begin to understand what trans is, the more they will begin to see the problems with these pieces of legislation.”
Clothes from the fashion show — which was organized by the arts nonprofit Interform — were all selected by The Transition Closet, an Arkansas-based nonprofit that offers free clothing for the LGBTQ community. The group also received 10 percent of the ticket sale proceeds.
Amare Roush started The Transition Closet in June in response to the legislation that was passed in the state. Roush, who goes by gender-neutral pronouns, said they wanted to give their community a “safe place” to find clothes and enjoy fashion.
“It’s the first thing that people see on a job interview; it’s the first thing that people see on a first date,” Roush said. “I wanted my fellow siblings in the community to be able to have that closet there so they could get those clothes, so they could put that first foot forward and be able to be their authentic selves.
“Luckily, we’re able to do our part to make it a little less scary for the community, because that’s what we truly need right now,” they added, referring to the legislation."...
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