Page 28 - Nicole Ari Parker

Come Celebrate with Me

“won't you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into

a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman

what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between

starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate

with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me

and has failed.” - Lucille Clifton

Seems like everyday I’m waking up to the news of a trans person of color being the victim
of violence and murder. Indeed everyday something or someone has tried to kill a trans
person. Every day. As we approach World Pride in New York City and as one of this year’s
official Celebrity Stonewall Ambassadors, I want to call for us to not only be more aware of
the deaths of trans people of color, but also our lives and CELEBRATE with us. Not just on
PRIDE, but every day. So many fans of the FX hit “Pose” tell me that my journey as Candy is
so similar to what many trans women of color are still experiencing today. Having to carry
a hammer or blade or something similar in your purse because you never know when you
might have to fight for your life is all too common for many trans folks. If you understand
that every day something or someone is trying to kill us and kill our spirits, then you’ll know
just how much we need to feel the love, to feel celebrated, every day. Won’t you celebrate
with us?

Model: Angelica Ross (@AngelicaRoss)
Photographer: James Anthony at crowdMGMT (@iAmJamesAnthony)
Hair: Nikay Higgins at crowdMGMT (@NikayHigginsHair)
Makeup: Nichole Ray (@NicholeRayArtistry)
Fashion Stylist: Apuje Kalu (@Apuje)
Production: crowdMGMT (@crowdMGMT)

28