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In this episode of The Switch Up, advocates from the Marsha P. Johnson Institute and The Mahogany Project explain how Black drag performers have influenced the broader culture for decades; while performers like D.C.’s Blaq Dynamite express how the growing limitations impact their ability to entertain.

HRC estimates that there are more than 2 million transgender (trans) people in the U.S. And despite the efforts of community members & allies, many members of the trans community continue to face discrimination and experience stigma and systemic inequality—including in health outcomes.

Hear from members of the HRC Transgender Justice Initiative’s (TJI) Activate & Elevate programs about how the TJI helps advance the leadership skills of Black, Hispanic, and Latino/Latina trans people across the U.S., aligning with #NHAS objectives and bringing us closer to #endingHIVepidemic.

Critics of the law argue that drag shows are being sensationalized and negatively portrayed for political points. Drag shows are "a creative outlet to those who have endured life's adversities, systematic oppression, and denial of our nation's inalienable rights," said Verniss McFarland III, founder and executive director of The Mahogany Project, an advocacy group for queer people of color.

“As a Black gender-nonconforming trans-identifying person living in a Republican state and the bible-belt South, leading a transgender-led organization hasn’t been easy. There have been many obstacles to overcome, lessons to learn and unlearn, passions to develop, and ways to see and be in the world. It took a lot of life experience, including literally falling on my face, to get here.”

In a recent At Home With conversation on Instagram for TheBody, Verniss and I talked about their motivation for founding The Mahogany Project, the need for safe spaces for TQLGB+ people, addressing mental health issues, and showing up for the trans community.

“I’ve been working within trans communities for the last four years, and in that time I’ve watched Texas become the trans murder capital of the United States. I’ve watched year over year a record number of trans individuals being killed, and most of them being Black women,” said Verniss McFarland, founder of The Mahogany Project.

“I’ve watched politicians take personal attacks against trans youth, trans individuals and other gender-expansive individuals as it relates to health care, housing, jobs and just basic civil liberties,” McFarland said.