PRESS
TRANSFORMATIONS KC ADVANCES STORIES OF TRANS PEOPLE OF COLOR
By: Dan Cohen | 41 KSHB | July 8, 2022
A recent wave of incidents targeting the LGBTQIA+ community has local organizations working harder than ever to lift up that community's experiences.
Merrique Jenson, the founder of Transformations Kansas City, is working to spotlight transgender communities of color and introduced KSHB 41 to Jordan Burns and Alex Salazar.
“Transformations did a lot for me, it taught me so many ways of being a trans person in my community.”
STILL STANDING: TRANS WOMEN IN KC SHARE THEIR STORY OF SURVIVAL, EMPOWERMENT
By: Sarah Plake | 41 KSHB | June 30, 2022
As KSHB 41 News wraps up the month of June, we want to leave you with real stories of women who are often pushed to the side during Pride month and throughout the year - transgender women of color.
“It’s a lot of things we had to endure, like being bashed or being bullied and stuff and I’m just grateful to even be here just sitting here sharing my story, because a lot of my sisters in the past have not made it this far.”
TRANSFORMATIONS KC WORKS TO ADD TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR IN MORE LEADERSHIP ROLES
By: Sarah Plake | 41 KSHB | Jun 29, 2022
This Pride month, we want to share stories of some of the most marginalized people within the LGBTQ+ community.
That means sharing the stories of transgender women of color, who have historically been misrepresented in - and even harmed by - media coverage.
“Often, society will tell you you’re just going to be a sex worker, you’re just going to be a drag queen or you’re just going to be a low-paid individual, and that can’t be our only narrative.”
KC HAS FEW TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR IN LEADERSHIP. THIS NONPROFIT IS CHANGING THAT.
By: Josh Merchant | The Kansas City Beacon | Jun 15, 2022
For years, Merrique Jenson felt that local organizations took trans leaders for granted. So she founded Transformations to help other trans women of color hold their ground in leadership positions.
“I knew that I wanted to create some sort of space to activate and heal, and also remind trans women of color and trans young people that they’re resilient.”
