31/03/2026
On this Transgender Day of Visibility, it seems like a good time to talk about what we, here at Trans Truth, call "Ambassadorship as Activism". We talked about it way back in Episode 4. We've presented the topic at national conferences and pride events. And we continue to talk about it. We're taking the show on the road once again, and will be presenting on "Ambassadorship" at the Esprit Gala and Conference, in Port Angeles, WA on May 16, 2026.
So why do we keep beating this drum? It's because "visbility" is too important for just one day out of the year. Jeri Ann likes to call me "a sign carryin', bullhorn shoutin' activist". I am guilty as charged, and we both acknowledge that activism has it's place, but ambassadorship is a different kind of activism, a different kind of visibility. Ambassadorship means moving into and through the world, not carrying a sign or "bullhorn shoutin'", but rather "just doing life", as Jeri Ann puts it. It means making an impact in a world where most people, by far, do not know a single trans person. It means being the trans person that someone can point to and say, "I know . They're not the scary person we've been told to be so afraid of. They're just like you and me."
Being an ambassador requires "visibility", of course, but we're talking about more than just being present, more than just polite social engagement. It requires bringing value to the community, and I can think of no better example than my co-host, who last year, wrapped up her career as a volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest event of it's kind in the world. Jeri Ann was, as far as anyone can tell, the only trans woman among the 36,000 plus volunteers who make that event happen every year. Now think about that for a moment. The only trans women, ever, to help put on that huge rodeo... in TEXAS. That's pretty dang visible, but that's still not what we're talking about. One of Jeri Ann's passions is feeding her friends and family. Holiday meals at her house are spectacular. Her home-made pies are legendary, as any of her doctors, nurses, neigbors and friends, even her auto mechanic, can tell you. At the rodeo, she made sure that every member of her team was well fed, every shift, and not just treats. Sandwiches, made from scratch, dozens of them, enough that it took two people just to carry them all onto the grounds to the team's headquarters. Ambassador Jeri Ann was constantly looking for ways to be of service to her team, to bring value to the team and it's mission. By the end of her run, she'd been promoted multiple times, from "wrangler", to assistant captain, to team captain. In a rodeo... In Texas...
Now, we don't have to "walk into the lions' den" like that to be ambassadors, but we do have to "bring value" to the community with whom we want to improve diplomatic relations. Being of service is a great way to do that. Volunteer; at a food bank, a toy drive, a free clinic. I do my share of volunteering, but it's in a small, very low-profile organization, so I have joined a group of "women of a certain" age, who get together for various activities. I am helping to organize one of those events, and will do more of the same in the future. My reward is the genuine smiles from all those old ladies. (Yes, I'm old. Now get off my lawn.) The reward for the trans community is few dozen women who now know something they didn't before; "She's just like us..."
Don't just be visible. Be an AMBASSADOR.
