'No Wordz', a drawing of Christian by Saterius "SiR" Roberts
Buck Angel. I’ve always been a huge fan of his work. From his tattoos; to his roaring love for his vagina despite community backlash; to the visibility he’s created for trans* men in the adult entertainment industry; to his infamous, “Woof!”
A kinkier side of me has always admired this guy, secretly desiring to one day become a similar icon myself. A few months ago I found myself on Buck’s website, and saw an application for those interested in being “models” for the second edition of his film, “Sexing the Transman.” [Read full post...]
Morris Home
When I received news that I landed the job I applied for at Morris House, I honestly had no idea what to expect. I wondered what the Morris House really was and in what way would it truly uplift and support the trans* and gender non-conforming community. Buzz circulated that it would be a treatment center for at-risk individuals, identifying as trans*…and that alone moved me to apply for the position. Admittedly, I was wrong about several things. For starters, Morris House isn’t Morris House at all…it’s in fact Morris Home.
Morris Home is a drug and alcohol residential treatment program for trans* and gender variant individuals in recovery. It is the brainchild of Sade Ali, deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, inspired by the deep sadness she felt when she witnessed a trans woman give up and leave a treatment program due to the treatment the woman experienced by several clinicians. (Sade Ali, a beautiful and awe-inspiring ally, whom I’ve been so fortunate to have met and become acquainted.) The Morris Home is a unique program, not only because it’s for trans* and gender variant people, but because it takes a holistic approach to treating substance challenges. It is the first program and facility of its kind in the US.
The facility’s name is a dedication to Nizah Morris, an African American trans woman who suffered a severe head injury from which she did not recover. Being removed from life support, she passed away December 24, 2002. The crime surrounding her death remains unsolved to this day, sparking many protests from Philadelphia’s LGBTQ community. [Read full post...]
