In 2016, Transgender Law Center celebrates 14 years of igniting change to the law, policy, and cultural climate so that people of all gender identities can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination. For the last several years, they have held a widely popular anniversary celebration, called SPARK! This year, they anticipate over 400 of their most generous supporters, corporate partners, organizational allies, and elected officials will participate as they come together and recognize outstanding community leaders and businesses making huge strides in advancing transgender rights.
Today, Transgender Law Center announced their SPARK! 2016 honorees:
Dee Dee Ngozi Chamblee is the founder and executive director of LaGender, Inc. and the co-director of SNaPCo (Solutions Not Punishment Coalition) based in Atlanta, Ga. She has over 25 years of grassroots organizing experience and has helped transform Atlanta through her work in trans advocacy. Chamblee has also built an expertise on the issues of HIV/AIDS, homelessness, mental health, mass incarceration, and police profiling. Chamblee was also the first trans woman inducted into the 20/20 Leading Ladies Society, an award given to women who have been living with HIV/AIDS openly and advocating for more than 20 years. In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded her with the prestigious “Champion of Change” honor. Recently, Chamblee helped develop standards of procedures and training for the Atlanta Police Department specifically around interacting with trans and gender nonconforming people. Because of her own personal experiences and perseverance, she has made Atlanta safer for the trans community.
Zeam Porter is a member of the joint Transgender Law Center and GSA Network national trans youth advocacy board, TRUTH. He has worked with Outfront MN, Black Lives Matter-Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition to fight for liberation through art, activism and healing initiatives. He was a part of the governor’s anti-bullying task force and testified before the State High School Athletic League in support of transgender athletes. Zeam’s father, Louis, is the executive director of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, which seeks to help Black residents gain access to the legislative process and to shape public policy. His mother, Ea, is the community liaison manager for the University of St. Thomas College of Education, Leadership and Counseling. When Zeam came out as queer and trans, his parents were supportive and became vocal advocates for trans and queer youth. With their encouragement, Zeam fiercely brings his Blackness, trans identity and queerness into all aspects of his art and life.
From being a visible supporter of trans advocacy to prioritizing inclusion and leadership of historically marginalized people, Slack Technologies has shown true leadership in the Bay Area tech sector. In an industry desperate for diversity and increased representation and leadership of people of color, women, and LGBTQ people, Slack is showing the business community how it’s done!
