V I S I B L E

As Trinidad‘s celebration of Pride Month draws to a close I thought I’d share an experience I had while attending one of their film events. Happy Pride everyone 🏳️‍🌈

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V I S I B L E

It’s not often that I’m rendered speechless, but last night surrounded by members of the LGBTQIA+ community, words failed me.

How could I put into words the emotions that swelled through me as they recounted stories of their struggles, of their victories and of how hard they had to fight to just be V I S I B L E.

It was an occasion that began with a moment of sadness, a moment of silence dedicated to the late Raymond Choo Kong, another avid member of the LGBT community who’d been lost.

Then began a showing of the film V I S I B L E, a 20 minute masterpiece, directed by Campbell X and produced by Kayza Rose.

This film sought to give an in depth look into the realities of Queer People of Colour ( QPOC), struggling to claim their identity and emphasize their visibility when faced with society’s blatant erasure of their art, culture and icons.

Though entitled visible, it’s purpose was to highlight how these individuals were in fact invisible.

As the credits began to roll, I struggled to piece my thoughts together . Once again words failed me whereas my emotions ran free.

All because, for the first time in my life I had to come to terms with my privilege. My privilege not just as a Cisgender, heterosexual young woman, but as a human existing in a time where I can stand in a room as a straight female and be in the minority, able to be a part of a revolution that allows us all to be equal.

As the panel opened, more stories were shared.

Stories of LGBT individuals maneuvering their young adulthood, in the midst of stonewall, of a trans woman having to deal with the harshness of publicly passing, yet still being shackled by her dead pronouns on her ID card.

I stood there in awe of these people, these men, these women and everyone in between. I stood in awe of their strength, passion and perseverance in the face of loss, discrimination and injustice. I stood in awe of these people who stood up alone, with no past influences to stand behind them and no clear indication of the change these actions would enact for future generations to come.

I sit here still in awe of the power rippling through that room. There’s so much that we can learn from the determination of these brave souls who continue to fight daily for their right to exist.

All I can say is thank you, for sharing your stories, for being pioneers for change, for educating me and for allowing me to be an ally in your journey.

-Saph