Artists for Planned Parenthood: Fighting for Liberation Through Community Care

I am excited to share that I was selected as an artist for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest’s annual series “Artists for Planned Parenthood.” This year’s theme is “Fighting for Liberation Through Community Care.” Through this opportunity, I was able to create and host the slumber party of my childhood dreams with two women who have become like sisters to me over the past six months.

My piece reflects community care by showing, in real-time, how caring communities are built. The three of us became sisters at the beginning of this year when we discovered that our first Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) consultations were all happening within the same week. We started a group chat called “The Dollhouse,” and it has completely redefined my understanding of community.

This photoshoot was the first time we've been together since starting our transitions in January. I wanted to immortalize our bond through a form of community we kind of missed out on as kids. While the photoshoot allowed us to "stage" a slumber-party and have a staycation, everything about it was real. We listened to music while dancing and talking about boys. We did our makeup together, recorded videos, and told stories. We complimented each other all night. We watched Burlesque, ordered takeout, and stayed up until 5 am. We laughed more than anything. I think it healed the parts of us that had been waiting to experience true community. We knew how special this night was without ever having to call it out.

I hope my work can show the world, and queer people everywhere, that our stories, our art, and our unique dreams deserve the spotlight. Countless stars in rural towns and small cities are often overlooked when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. Even if you live somewhere that makes your dreams feel nearly impossible, they become far more achievable when we come together.

Community care comes in many forms, but my favorite might be the love we share among the people we lean on at the end of the day, when it’s time to cry, laugh, and be ourselves. The level of acceptance that queer and trans people give one another gives me the courage to exist loudly and confidently outside the margins. It’s what fuels me to keep fighting. It keeps my heart open. And it keeps me alive.

Thank you to Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest for this amazing opportunity.

Featuring Jade Jolie Woods and Eric Barnes.

This series will be showcased at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest’s Summer Sessions x Artists for Planned Parenthood event the evening of August 18 in San Diego.