FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTA, Ga., November 15, 2022 –– OUT Georgia Business Alliance is proud to host TGX360’s inaugural networking event and launch its spotlight of transgender-led organizations during Transgender Awareness Week 2022.
Transgender Awareness Week is held each year November 13th-19th, leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on November 20, which memorializes victims of transphobic violence. At least 32 transgender or nonbinary people have been killed in the United States in 2022, with the vast majority being people of color. We say “at least” because too often these stories go unreported — or misreported.
Power Connect: TGX360 Social
Power Connect: TGX360 Social is an evening for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming job seekers and professionals to connect with trans-friendly company representatives to get to know each other and share resources.
“There are very few places that have prioritized initiatives like these,” said Montañita Vargas, OUT Georgia’s new TGX360 Coordinator. “We have a lot of work to do both within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community to ensure transgender people are receiving the life-saving support that we need, and it’s exciting that OUT Georgia is providing tangible resources for this effort.”
Come meet Montañita and the rest of the team behind TGX360, OUT Georgia’s employment and entrepreneurship initiative created by and for Georgia’s transgender and gender expansive community, on Wednesday, November 16th.
The event will promptly begin at 6:00pm for ERG/BRG representatives to share highlights about their company’s policies, benefits and best practices. Then at 7:00pm, we invite TGX job seekers to join us for casual socializing and networking.
Learn More and Register for Power Connect: TGX360 Social
Trans-Led Organizations You Should Know
In observance of Transgender Awareness Week 2022, OUT Georgia and TGX360 are highlighting grassroots, non-profit organizations, and programs led by transgender individuals in the Atlanta community, including Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, Trans Housing Atlanta Program, Project Innovate at THRIVE SS, I Am Human Foundation, and Community Estrella.
Juxtaposed Center for Transformation is an anchoring organization for Trans Housing Atlanta Program, Inc., founded by Tracee McDaniel (she/her), providing supportive and emergency housing resources to housing challenged and marginalized Trans, Gender Non-Conforming individuals and families.
To learn more and donate, visit https://thejct.org and https://www.transhousingatlanta.org.
Project Innovate at THRIVE SS increases the potential of Black queer cisgender and transgender men who strive to become small business owners to flourish economically and confront HIV stigma through training, mentorship, and micro-grants.
“We work with either queer cisgender men, or with straight or queer trans masculine individuals, which is absolutely amazing – there are not many opportunities or resources specifically for transgender men,” says Ja’Mel Ashely Ware (he/him), project manager of Project Innovate.
“We always need mentors. We also always need innovators. We’re going into our fourth cohort right now. We’re recruiting for both innovators and for mentors.” Learn more about how you can join at https://thrivess.org/innovate.
The I Am Human Foundation was founded by Alex Santiago (he/him), and creates safe spaces for individuals who are homeless, living with HIV, and trans youth, as well as addressing societal disparities in education, employment, healthcare, and housing.
I Am Human Foundation will be co-hosting a Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, in partnership with Destination Tomorrow and the City of Atlanta’s Division of LGBTQ Affairs, on Thursday November 17th from 7 to 8:30 pm at Atlanta City Hall.
To learn more and donate, visit https://iamhumanfoundation.org.
Community Estr(El/La) is a community-based organization led by immigrants and founded by Li Ann Sanchez (she/ella), dedicated to empowering transgender and gender non-conforming people in the social, legal, physiological and spiritual sectors of the deep south. They provide collective housing, art and culture programs, leadership and business development, direct action and mutual aid, all in the Spanish language.
On Tuesday, November 15th, Community Estrella will host a community altar in honor of Trans Day of Remembrance and Trans Awareness Week from 7 to 10 pm at 2428 Johnson Road, Apartment K in Atlanta, GA 30345.
For more information and to donate, email communityestrella@gmail.com.
About TGX360
OUT Georgia Business Alliance’s TGX360 initiative aims to advance economic equity and empowerment by providing employment and entrepreneurship support to Georgia’s transgender and gender expansive (TGX) residents.
About OUT Georgia Business Alliance
OUT Georgia Business Alliance proudly serves as Georgia’s only LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1994, OUT Georgia Business Alliance (formerly the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) has served the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community by advocating for the most inclusive and equitable business environment; providing support and resources to fuel economic growth; and driving meaningful community connections and impact across the State of Georgia.
OUT Georgia Business Alliance is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and is a proud affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact us at OUTGeorgia.org or info@OUTGeorgia.org.
