TRANZMUTATION NATION

Proverbs 31:8 – “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

We have a moral duty to advocate for those who cannot defend themselves. Wickedness and cruelty toward marginalized identities reflect a society torn between righteousness and malevolence. It is right and just to speak—not only for others but for ourselves.

True advocacy begins with understanding the gap between need and access. In healthcare, this chasm is stark. Patients—often lacking support or facing complex psychosocial issues—confront systems that can deny or withhold care. Here, the professional’s duty to care often includes a duty to advocate. Consider the nurse who must navigate an ethical dilemma to ensure the best plan for their patient, regardless of cost. This medical study underscores the critical need for such advocacy in clinical practice. The principle is the same for the transgender community accessing care. Medically transitioning often requires surmounting immense systemic barriers, from securing a “gender dysphoria” diagnosis for insurance purposes to justifying the medical necessity of treatments that cisgender people often access with far less scrutiny. The level of self-advocacy required is disproportionate and exhausting.

I recently shared my own grueling experience advocating for gender-affirming surgeries on my YouTube channel—a testament to the relentless self-advocacy required.

This is where your power comes in.

Advocacy is woven through our daily thoughts, actions, and words. If you hold privilege or position, use it.

I learned to advocate out of necessity. As a transgender person, my first act was the internal realization of my identity. My journey—socially and medically transitioning—became an arduous, but necessary exercise in persistence. In the U.S., this path is intertwined with systemic inequity. Health insurance is often tied to employment, yet transgender people face higher unemployment, workplace discrimination, and lower wages. These barriers are even more severe for Black trans women. For us, advocacy is not something you only have to do once and you’re done. It is required for our survival, existence and securing a future where everyone, can maintain bodily autonomy and self determination.

We advocate because the world remains unsafe for many. Yet, wherever there is safety, living authentically is itself a revolutionary act. It strengthens our internal resolve and, in turn, inspires others. Strengthen your own resolve. If you want or need something, ask. If you are told no, communicate clearly why it matters. Persist.