History

During the early years of lobbying Congress for Transgender rights, the question raised by some legislators was: You are here looking for Federal legislative changes for the trans community when you have none (or precious little) at the state level. This statement rang very true and resulted in our working with Jessica Xavier, who was then ED for It's Time America [ITA] and Penni Ashe Matz the Northeast Regional Director of ITS and dedicated founder of It's Time Massachusetts to create It's Time, Connecticut [ITCT]. ITCT focused, in conjunction with other state level advocacy groups to build a grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations focused to effecting social and legislative change for the trans community in Connecticut. The early days of ITCT were difficult and much of the advocacy was one on one advocacy for the numerous trans folks who contacted ITCT for assistance or advocacy on their behalf. In 2002, Connecticut held its first Transgender Day of Remembrance in Hartford and ITCT was the primary organizer behind this vigil. This vigil was co-sponsored by over twenty statewide LGBT organizations, attended by nearly 100 trans folks and allies in the small but warm chapel of the Metropolitan Community Church in Hartford. Following the overwhelming success of this event, ITCT was transitioned into the Ct TransAdvocacy Coalition [CTAC]. Not long after the creation of CTAC some major milestones were recognized in Connecticut: CTAC in conjunction with the Hate Crime Network formed and subsequently passed a trans inclusive hate crime law in Connecticut, making Ct the fourth state in the nation to do so. A successful action was done that resulted in the then Governor Rowland to reverse nearly a decade long stance of including Transgender (and Bisexual) in his PRIDE Day proclamation. In fact action resulted in the first truly inclusive Gubernatorial proclamation that recognized PRIDE day as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex PRIDE day in Connecticut! CTAC in conjunction with Betsy Driver and Janet Green of Bodies Like Ours held a highly visible and effective demonstration regarding an Intersex Surgery that was planned to be performed at the CT Children's Medical Center in Hartford. For a full list of accomplishments realized by CTAC and its coalition and ally organization visit CTAC Accomplishments. The current CTAC Logo was designed by Reverend George A. Chien, pastor of the Hartford MCC church. He designed the current logo as part of the design for Connecticut's second annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

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Why Adovcacy?

Some say the “Gay Rights Movement” began in 1969, the night of the Stonewall riot. And as many trans-identified folks know, a “Trans” person was at the forefront of that fateful night – Sylvia Rivera! Sylvia and many others launched a major social, economic and cultural change in the homosexual community and within society as a whole. Since that day, homosexuality has been declassified as a mental illness, numerous and significant gay rights laws have passed, corporate non-discrimination policies updated to include sexual orientation and many other landmark successes have been realized. However, the rights of the trans-identified person and community were, and are still being, essentially ignored. In addition, prominent among those being “cast aside” during this period was Sylvia Rivera herself. However, this did not stop Sylvia! She fought daily for the trans-identified person and community; as well as fighting the gay, lesbian and straight communities for recognition and equal rights of the trans-identified individual and community. And from such spirited Direct Actions and confrontations, a few, then more, and then many more Trans Activists came to her aide, and to the forefront, in this struggle for Trans Activism and Advocacy. For many trans-identified people this struggle occurs in the midst of their worlds crumbling economically and socially around them as they “come out”. However, more and more of us are learning to balance “coming out” socially and economically with our coming out as Activists and Advocates. Nationally more and more statewide TransAdvocacy groups are forming and fighting for equal rights. We’re fighting in Connecticut and in nearly every state for Inclusion, Respect and Equal Rights! Transgender-rights advocates won an unprecedented series of political victories in 2002. The governing councils of 14 cities and counties voted to include transgender people among the groups protected by local nondiscrimination laws. In no previous year had more than six jurisdictions taken such action. Fourteen Fortune 500 companies have included gender identity or expression within their corporate EEO policies, with two occurring within the last year. And for this reason, the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition exists. This Coalition grew out of two venues: From ITCT, a chapter of the first major national and statewide grass roots Trans Civil Rights organization and Connecticut’s 2002 Day of Remembrance.

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Several Key Accomplishments

• In conjunction with the Ct Hate Crime Network passed legislation amending the Ct Hate Crime Statutes to include the protected categories: Gender Identity or Expression and Disability;

• Successful Action Alert assuring a peace activist access to their T-shots;

• Supported and Helped Organize Intersex Demonstration with Bodies Like Ours at the Ct Children's Medical Center

• Coalition Action to secure inclusive PRIDE Day Proclamation;

• Established program, through training and advocacy, to provide housing and services for transwomen within a majotity of Connecticut's DV Shelters;

• Conducted survey's and training with a number of Ct based homeless shelters;

• Created, in collaboration with the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, a comprehensive statewide referal list of medical and service providers for the trans individual;

• Created, in collaboration with the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, two professionally moderated tran support groups;

• Held, in collaboration with the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, a TransHealth Screeing day;

• In conjunction with the Ct G&L film festival (Alternatives), held CTAC fundraiser for the Ct premiere of TransGeneration, followed by community talkback;

• In conjunction with several long time Ct gay/trans activists, produced and created the Documentary: "While Paris Was Burning, Hartford Sizzled", which premiered at the 2004 Ct LGBT/Queer film festival;

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Get Involved

CTAC works entirely upon volunteers as well as assuring its work is a truly grassroots and communmity effort. If you trans, gender non-conforming, queer, no label, ally and interested in furthering the work of CTAC please do contact us. We are constantly looking for with skills and/or interestes in outreach, technical skills, writing, legal, medical, organizing and so on. At the sametime we recognize that many of our spare time for volunteering is limited and even the contribution of a few hours a month can be invaluble to our efforts. Please do contact us if you would like to get involved in any specific way or just discuss volunteering in general. Thank you.

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Contact Us

Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition [CTAC]
PO Box 330304
West Hartford, CT 06133-0304
(860) 983-8139
info@transadvocacy.com 

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