RESOLUTION NO. 220305

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Recognizing Merrique Jenson and declaring the 31st day of March Trans Day of Visibility in the City of Kansas City, Missouri.

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WHEREAS, we celebrate the existence of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people. We value their resilience, their vibrancy, and their ability to push society further towards inclusion for everyone here in our community; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that it was transgender women of color, including Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, and Marsha P. Johnson who were instrumental in the fight against all forms of oppression; and

WHEREAS, we remember the legacy of activism left by transgender elders and celebrate the next generation of transgender youth who continue to push us all to be better, to survive and thrive, and to experience true justice and equality; and

WHEREAS, we uplift Transformations, a nonprofit founded in 2016 by activist Merrique Jenson, the first transgender and primarily people of color led nonprofit organization in the Kansas City community. Transformations was formed in response to the wave of violence impacting trans women of color and trans and nonbinary youth in Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, Transformations expanded to be a Midwest regional organization in 2021, affirming trans girls and young women of color, along with trans and nonbinary young people in survival. Transformations focuses on empowering the trans communities in Missouri, Kansas, and the Ozark region of Northwest Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, in Kansas City, we believe in the inherent value of each and every person, including our transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconfirming community members, without exception; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize Merrique Jenson and declare the 31st day of March Trans Day of Visibility in the City of Kansas City, Missouri; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Merrique Jenson, JD Besares, Kelly Nou, Alex Salazar, Carmen Xavier, Joss Barton, Gia Bleu, Nyla Foster, Fynelle Fristoe, and Fawn Lies for their continued advocacy for the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people with the gratitude of the Mayor and Council and encouraging all citizens to increase awareness, education, and services for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming residents in Kansas City.

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