HOUSTON, Tx.— In honor of Transgender Awareness Week and Month, Transgender Allyship Day, and Transgender Day of Remembrance, on November 13, The Normal Anomaly unveiled a powerful billboard in the city’s Loop 610 and Cullen area and a timely press conference.
Founded in 2016 by Ian Haddock, The Normal Anomaly Initiative Inc. is one of Houston’s leading LGBTQIA+ community-centered organizations for African Americans and other Communities of Color.
Their mission is to provide inclusive and tangible opportunities for Black Queer and Trans individuals and communities to feel empowered.
Current programs and works such as The Transgender Allyship Collective (TAC), Project Liberate, Transportation Program, and more continue to make a positive impact on Houston’s Black Queer community.
The Black Wall Street Times interviewed The Normal Anomaly’s Advocacy Director, Joelle Bayaa-Uzuri Espeut, about the organization’s programming, new partnership research project, the upcoming documentary “They Ain’t Comin’ To Save Us”, and community-building.
The Normal Anomaly’s Initiatives and Programs
According to the 2021 American Community Survey (the data points have wide conference intervals), Black Queer people are estimated to be twice as likely to experience poverty than heterosexual people. In addition, the survey revealed that LGBTQIA+ people in Texas experienced higher rates of depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness.
These outcomes are strongly influenced by the intersectional systemic and social oppressions Black LGBTQIA+ people face. But Black Queer Southerners continue to persevere, survive, and thrive.
Multidimensional advocacy and intentional community engagement are vital to helping vulnerable communities. The Normal Anomaly encourages Melanated Queer and Trans folx to come to the forefront without shame to receive assistance.
Funded by ViiV’s Accelerate Initiative, Project Liberate is a six-month leadership program for Black Queer entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations. The project leads with a holistic economic justice community lens by providing small business and organizational and professional development.
“The program has been transformative in the way we’ve looked at advocacy. When we center what is important to the community (economic justice and financial freedom), we’ve seen our Liberators not just engage in community advocacy but also be more holistically invested in the community,” Espeut told the Black Wall Street Times.
In addition, The Normal Anomaly’s BQ+ Transportation Program provides transportation services for job interviews, temporary transportation assistance for employment, and doctor’s and counseling appointments. Their recent Black LGBQT+ voter engagement initiative, POWR, also provided transportation for the community to and from voting locations.
Programs like LUMINATE and HUSH Self-Testing promote holistic health and well-being among Southern LGBTQIA+ communities, addressing critical healthcare gaps.
Espeut spoke on the government’s attempt to alienate LGBTQIA+ people and their rights.
“The current social and political climate isn’t anything new to Black, LGBTQ people living in the South. And so we continue to center our work on eliminating barriers, while creating space for the community to tell new narratives. Narratives of hope and joy that can inspire the LGBTQIA+ community, especially our Queer and Trans Youth,” Espeut expressed.
With accessibility and support, we can empower ourselves with equitable tools, reliable resources, and obtainable programming.
TAC SAGES: Entrusting the Transgender Community
An estimated 123,000 Transgender people live in the state of Texas and over 62% are trans people of color. According to the Transgender Law Center, “Within this oppressive system, Black trans women face the compounded harms of racism, misogyny, and transphobia — an intersection of oppressions known as transmisogynoir.”
In America, Black Trans Women face heightened violence and disregard. Highlighted by the tragic murder of Tracy Single, The Normal Anomaly partnered with trans-led organizations to establish the TAC.
“As the program grew and evolved, we saw an opportunity to bring Black Trans Women from the community in and develop them as leaders, advocates, and changemakers (because they know more than anyone else what is needed to advocate for Black Trans Women),” she said.
The organization partners with the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work’s SUSTAIN Wellbeing COMPASS Coordinating Center. Through the partnership they formed TAC: Scholars in Action for Gender Expansive Services (SAGES).
The cohort will focus on community-driven research to address socio-political challenges. At the same time, they’ll promote growth and visibility for Black trans women in Texas.
Research associate Dr. Bec Sokha Keo and Espeut lead the research study.
In addition, six Black trans women, Mya Wesley, Sasha “Barbie” Moore, Byancha Lawson, Christen “Coco” Valentine, Taylor Mabrie, and Mikayla Poche’, are co-researchers.
“When we came together to think about the future of the cohort and the program continuing to eliminate barriers and create new narratives for Black Trans Women, we saw the need to retell the narrative of Black Trans Women and research.” Espeut said, “With SUSTAIN, we want to show that by letting Black Trans Women lead the research, not only will they be able to reach and engage the Black Trans community easier, but the research process will also be easier because of the lived experience of Black Trans Women.”
Through reflection, Espeut believes scholars and researchers should center Community Science to lead with a decolonized mindset.
“Leading and leaning into lived experience with a Community Science lens is the way for more inclusive and efficacious research. Community Science highlights the importance for researchers and medical trials to not just work with communities in an intentional way, but to also invest into long-term partnerships and collaboration with marginalized communities.”
Community Engagement and Support Created “They Ain’t Coming to Save Us”
Executive produced by The Normal Anomaly, and directed by Amir Dixon, their upcoming limited series, “They Ain’t Comin’ To Save Us” shares the multifaceted life and work of Black Southern Queer and Trans folx and the essence of community.
With community engagement, LGBTQIA+ individuals and organizations can advocate for and support each other.
“When we think about social issues and obstacles that have faced marginalized people, we’ve seen the solution and the answer in the community coming together. ‘They Ain’t Comin’ To Save Us’ is just that; a film about the Black, LGBTQ community coming together. We hope that people viewing the film are able to see that it is our resilience (not just individually as Black, LGBTQ people, but together as a community) and our collective activism that will lead us to liberation,” Espeut said.
The limited series will have a premiere private screening on December 10 in Houston. In addition, expect screenings throughout the South.
Through their programming and initiatives, The Normal Anomaly’s work is rooted in community. The organization believes that community empowerment, support, and community-led leadership will progress the lives of all people.
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