Sharyn Grayson was born in Dallas, transitioned during the 1960s and has been one of our hard working leaders on the West Coast.
Before embracing a public service career in 1985 she was a Business Education instructor at Valley Trade & Technical School in Fresno, CA and Greater Flint OIC and Charles Stewart Mott College in Flint, MI.
She has been a front line soldier leading the battle against HIV/AIDS in the Oakland-East Bay area Sharyn is currently the Program Manager of the Volunteers of America Bay Area Prevention & Health Services Division Based in the East Oakland-Fruitvale area, it continues to address HIV prevention amongall residents of the Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano County areas.
It's time for Sharyn to answer the TransGriot's Ten Questions.
1. It's hard for transpeople of color to be considered leaders in the trans community. Why do you think it's been even harder for West Coast based transpeople of color to be considered leaders in our community?
SG- Personally,I feel there are several reasons behind this. However, most predominantly, I think a lot of it has to do with theglobal perception that San Francisco is the “Capital” (if you will) of all LGBTlife in our State – and thereby sets the rules in terms of LGBT lifestyle onthe West Coast.
This perception also includes the idea that theLGBT lifestyle was designed and guided by/for a middle- to upper-classCaucasian/White doctrine that only provides limited inclusion for otherethnicities – particularly, the African American/Black LGBT community. And although this may be true to some degree,what this perception does is it creates a serious barrier for LGBT advocateswho continue to try to dialog and express issues that are important to theirconstituents. Add to this scenario, thefact that we have lost many of our (older) “true warriors”...and many of thosewhom we once held such great hope for, in taking the batons and continuing themomentum that was left for them, have either decided to join the larger masses– where their voices have been silenced, now – or, they have become so “battleweary” and frustrated that they have resigned themselves to a thought processthat supports a sense of hopelessness about any change or progress being ableto take place. Many have settled for thefact that, “this is just the way it is, here”.
This overall “complacent attitude” within ourneighborhoods has made it almost impossible for our community leaders to gainrespect at the tables of change, in the meeting rooms, or at the LGBT venueswhere relevant issues are being addressed. The African American/Black Trans community stays at home, when theresupport is needed. They don’t have timeto attend meetings, conferences, or public forums where their voices could beheard. They don’t want to add theirnames or lend their support to this cause. Why should they? They feel thatthere is nothing positive or beneficial in it for them. So...
Simply put...the few people whom today, areconsidered leaders in our community often find themselves in situations wherethey have very little (if any) support from the very people they are trying touplift and empower.
2. How long have you been transitioned and who were your trans role models?
SG-Ibegan my personal transition in 1964. Icompleted it in 1969. Although I hadmany friends/peers around me during my transitioning years, there were 2 olderTrans-women that took me under their wing and encouraged me to follow a paththat led me in a direction much different from my friends. To this day, I owe who I became to my (dearlydeparted) Trans-sisters, Ms. Bobbie Hall and Ms. Willa Davis of Dallas, TX. They were the ladies who helped me understandhow to prepare myself for the many emotional hurdles, heartbreak, anddisappointments that my lifestyle would inevitably expose me to. Along with the teachings of my Mom, Bobbieand Willa I learned about the power in patience, forgiveness, self-worth andindependence – among other things.
I’ve had other role models since these earlydays but, I was very fortunate to have had a good, solid foundation to workfrom which keeps me grounded and focused.
3. Do you believe African American trans elders have done a good enough job of passing our history down to the younger generations, and if not, what are the reasons you believe this isn't happening?
SG-Ibelieve our elders have done the best they could, given the circumstances. There’s so much more to do, however, we haveto be realistic about the social and socio-economic standards of our country,at this time. These circumstances often– unfortunately – dictate a persons priorities; which can be resultant outcomesfar from the guidance and advice of their peers.
4. If you had the power to grant any wish to the African American trans community, what would it be?
SG-Thepower to have a free and uncomplicated education – leading to a degree and job– in whatever field they chose.
5. What's the one thing about Sharyn that no one knows about you that you feel comfortable revealing to the cyberworld?
SG:-ThatI am a “painfully” shy person in reality.
6. What is the state of the Black Trans community in the East Bay?
SG-Let’s just say that it is far from being assuccessful as it is less than 40 miles away (across the Bay Bridge) in SanFrancisco
7. Who are the Black trans leaders that you admire, who inspire you or you see as up and coming leaders?
SG-Iam inspired by a pretty large group of committed and hard-working Trans ladiesand men – globally – that I have been very fortunate to know and be affiliatedwith over the years. Although theyaren’t necessarily located here in the East Bay, they are my support and keepme inspired to do the work that, hopefully, brings benefit to my localcommunity.
My “She-roes and Heroes” include: Nichole Thierry, Tamara Ching, Paula Santos,and Yosenio Lewis from the San Francisco Bay side; Valerie Spencer in L.A.;Tracie Jada O’Brien in San Diego; Tiffany Jordan-Brooks in Dallas, TX; my girl,Atty. DeAndra Harris-Turner in N.Y.; and of course, my local team: MinisterBobbie Jean Baker, Tanajsha Winston-Blacksher, Beck Witt, and my main girl MissMajor.
8. What are some projects that you are currently working on?
SG-Iam working on the revision of a past newsletter publication I did. a coupleyears ago. The plan is to make it anational magazine, dedicated to news and information focusing on the Transgendercommunity.
9. If you were mentoring a young transperson, what are some of the things you would tell them?
SG-Mostimportantly, I would try to encourage them to focus on pursuing a goodfoundation for education – for themselves. This is critical in terms of finding future employment and experiencinga truly independent and productive lifestyle. I would also explain to them the importance in surrounding themselveswith positive and supportive people who are involved in doing positive thingsin their own lives – and not necessarily focusing on bar-hopping/partying,drugs, and sex. Finally, I would wantthem to know that “beauty fades”...and after that, you need to have somethingelse going for you...like integrity, honor, and self-respect. I’ve seen many “to-die-for” bodies in my timethat had absolutely no ability to benefit the people inside them...or anyoneelse.
10. Where do you see the African-American trans community at the end of this decade and beyond?
SG- Forme, and given what I’ve observed over the past few years, this is a somewhatfrightening thought! Unfortunately, I can’t say that in my immediate geographicarea I’ve seen an increase in new, young faces embracing the role of Advocatesfor our African-American Trans community. As we (elder) peers are tiring and aging out, we often find there is noone to pass the ‘torches’ to. My alarmis that, because we live on the West Coast – specifically in the Bay Area – andunder this proverbial “shadow of San Francisco” which often establishes the rules,guidelines, politics, etc. for how the LGBT lifestyle is to be experienced...wewill become victims of whatever this power-play continues to dole out to us.
Sadly, not only is the Trans community(itself) often ignored or further disenfranchised by these decisions, theAfrican American segment is even less of a consideration in terms of just abasic inclusionary process. So, withoutour voices at the tables where decisions of power are being made...I feel thatprogress for our African American Trans community will continue to be based ona scale that is intermittently slow and stagnant. The solution? I’m definitely working on it...
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