Day 1: Arrival in Jamaica & Connect w/ our siblings. I traveled to Jamaica on Jamaican Emancipation Day, August 1, 2022, amongst phenomenal Trans leaders Devin Lowe, Morticia Godiva, eli, & Ivy Lysette. Jamaica is the home of my matriarchs, starting with Great Great Grandmother. It is a great honor to be in Jamaica amongst fellow Trans & Queer people to celebrate the 5th Jamaican Pride Festivities. We were greeted with love, care, joy, appreciation, and organization by Tran leaders Kyym Savage, Emani, MX Williams, Shauna K, and Aiden from @houseofblessings2021. The day consisted of competing sports activities mixed with music, laughter, & dance. Purpose of Trip: Facilitate for a Black Trans Travel Fund staff retreat, Celebrating TLGBQ Jamaicans, Community Building, participate in the Pride Festivities as an honorable guest, then take rest where I can get it! The Hard Truth: Our work is not easy yet necessary and urgent. The photos I intentionally share capture joy and the practice of Black Trans & Queer freedom. It is important to witness Trans people experiencing life through fellowship, safety, resources share, love, and more. The fight for Trans Liberation comes at the expense of our life, resulting in holding space for tears; while trying to experience the joy, we often find ourselves in crisis mode navigating perpetual grief. Sadly, as we were basking in the fellowship, we quickly were reminded of the oppression that comes with being TLGBQ in Jamaica. Two Jamaican Trans community members were murdered before making it to the festivities. Words can't even capture the complexities of emotions that flowed in my body and among other community members. Call To Action: As we fight for liberation for black trans & Queer people on Turtle Island ( Amerikkka), we must remember restorative healing & safety is crucial to the survival and sustainability of Back Trans and Queer people internationally. Direct Support:@houseofblessings2021, united_trans_Creatives_ , @TransWave, @ConnekJa , @equailtyja, @cotterells__emphasis (fashion designer ) Other Support: @blacktranstravelfund @ROAD_4_us Video Credit to@equailtyja #prideja2022 #prideja2022🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🇯🇲