Transgender Women and Their Allies Speak on Mother's Day

Boston, MA - The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) announced the release of three new videos as part of their multi-media public education campaign entitled I AM: Trans People Speak.

In honor of Mother's Day, each video features the story and voice of a female parent, some who use the term "mother" to describe their role in their children's lives and for others, transitioning their gender but not their role as a loving and caring parent. All three videos serve as a reminder that transgender people are more than just their gender identities-they are sons, daughters, siblings, children, parents, and mothers.
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One newly premiered video features Sara, a Boston-based lawyer who speaks not only of her successful and supportive transition at her work, but also of her experience as a parent. She talks about how coming out and transitioning with her children's support has brought all of them closer and feels that her children are able to open up to her and be honest with her because of her transition.
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Another video being premiered is that of Holly, a single parent who speaks of her experiences raising children on her own. Though Holly had a positive experience transitioning at her job, she acknowledges that the possibility of losing her job just for being transgender is a very real one. She points out that if she were to lose her job, she wouldn't be able to continue to support her children and that people don't always realize that discrimination doesn't only affect the transgender individual. She ends by saying, "We have a wonderful life...All I want to do is raise a family and have a great job. All my community wants to do is be able to have the same things everybody else has and contribute to their towns, cities, and this great Commonwealth."
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The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is dedicated to ending discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. MTPC works for a world where persons of all genders are treated with respect and fully participate in all areas of society, free from fear of prohibition, harassment or violence based on their gender identity and/or expression.�
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The last new video to premier is of an ally of the transgender community, Deborah. Deborah identifies herself as a "writer, activist, knitter, and the mother of a transgender man." She speaks about her reactions when her son came out as transgender, both of her initial reaction to support her child no matter what, and her later feelings of loss. Deborah speaks powerfully about how her son's transition has brought their family closer together in a "very meaningful and deep way." In simple, yet incredibly poignant words, Deborah tells us, "What I want for my child isn't anything more than others want for their children...but also nothing less."
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MTPC launched the ground-breaking I AM: Trans People Speak project in November 2010 and has consistently premiered new videos on the website. I AM is a collection of recorded stories that aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions of transgender individuals by highlighting the realities of their lived experience. These voices span across a diversity of communities and intersecting identities. I AM: Trans People Speak fosters support and raises awareness for trans communities by providing a forum where these unique stories can be shared and given significance.
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All three new videos were filmed and edited by Jesse Begenyi, a Boston filmmaker. Begenyi has produced all of the videos for the I AM: Trans People Speak site and is currently working on new releases for the immediate future.
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For more information please visit www.transpeoplespeak.org or direct questions to �