Trans Xion

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Xion Lopez, born Ronny Taylor, is a 20 year-old transgender woman living in the suburbs of D.C. -- a city where increasingly trans women seem to be the targets of violence. Despite the fact that there is a large, visible gay community in The District, the trans community seems to remain marginalized.
Xion Lopez, born Ronny Taylor, is a 20 year-old transgender woman living in the suburbs of D.C. -- a city where increasingly trans women seem to be the targets of violence. Despite the fact that there is a large, visible gay community in The District, the trans community seems to remain marginalized.
Xion works Monday through Friday at Transgender Health Empowerment (known as T.H.E.) in an internship capacity, usually she minds the front desk, and is often the first to greet people as they enter the door.
Xion works Monday through Friday at Transgender Health Empowerment (known as T.H.E.) in an internship capacity, usually she minds the front desk, and is often the first to greet people as they enter the door.
Home life is a significant source of turmoil for Xion. She has no permanent station, her immediate family having thrown her out of the house due to her lifestyle. Currently, she lives with an aunt in Hyattsville, MD where she has been relegated to the basement. If she wants to sleep in her aunt's house she is not permitted to be Xion, when she's in the house she must conform to being Ronny.
Home life is a significant source of turmoil for Xion. She has no permanent station, her immediate family having thrown her out of the house due to her lifestyle. Currently, she lives with an aunt in Hyattsville, MD where she has been relegated to the basement. If she wants to sleep in her aunt's house she is not permitted to be Xion, when she's in the house she must conform to being Ronny.
Debbie MacMillan is one of Xion's bosses at work. Debbie is completing her BSW at UDC and is a recovering addict clean now for 4 years. Debbie has been living as a trans woman in DC for close to 20 years, and says that she has in the past endured violent sexual assaults.
Debbie MacMillan is one of Xion's bosses at work. Debbie is completing her BSW at UDC and is a recovering addict clean now for 4 years. Debbie has been living as a trans woman in DC for close to 20 years, and says that she has in the past endured violent sexual assaults.
For many in the transgender community, family rejection is a common thread. One way to deal with the isolation though, is to create an alternate
For many in the transgender community, family rejection is a common thread. One way to deal with the isolation though, is to create an alternate "queer family." Debbie and Xion have a "mother" and "daughter" relationship.
Amber is another member of Xion's
Amber is another member of Xion's "queer family." They refer to each other as "sisters," and though they are roughly the same age and trade tips on being "passable" as trans women, Amber is in some ways the senior having begun her transition a few years prior to Xion.
Xion meets with DC Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes to discuss police interaction with transgender youth in DC. Specifically, they are concerned about a particular
Xion meets with DC Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes to discuss police interaction with transgender youth in DC. Specifically, they are concerned about a particular "gang" of kids who refer to themselves as "Check It." In the past, Xion has been associated with "Check It."
Older members of the DC trans community often seek to guide the youth in what they know very well can be a difficult process.
Older members of the DC trans community often seek to guide the youth in what they know very well can be a difficult process.
Debbie and Xion embrace.
Debbie and Xion embrace.
Highly mature for 20, Xion casts a tutorial glance of disapproval in Amber's direction. Amber is rambunctious and flirty, often physically horsing around with the young men who hang around T.H.E.
Highly mature for 20, Xion casts a tutorial glance of disapproval in Amber's direction. Amber is rambunctious and flirty, often physically horsing around with the young men who hang around T.H.E.
In public spaces it often feels like all eyes are always on Xion, walking down the street she often catches stares.
In public spaces it often feels like all eyes are always on Xion, walking down the street she often catches stares.
Public transportation is Xion's main way of getting around, often thrusting her into close quarters with strangers.
Public transportation is Xion's main way of getting around, often thrusting her into close quarters with strangers.
Amber diagrams for Xion on a Viagra pad how she can take apart an old couch cushion and use the stuffing to give herself a rounder, more feminine butt.
Amber diagrams for Xion on a Viagra pad how she can take apart an old couch cushion and use the stuffing to give herself a rounder, more feminine butt.
Many trans women are first gay men before they transition. Once they become women though they are still often interested in men, which oddly enough can outwardly appear as heterosexuality to an outsider.
Many trans women are first gay men before they transition. Once they become women though they are still often interested in men, which oddly enough can outwardly appear as heterosexuality to an outsider.
The Metropolitan Community Church is an international Protestant denomination that specifically focusses on outreach to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. On Transgender Day of Remembrance Debbie tells the congregation about Lashai Mclean, a trans woman who was fatally shot in DC in July of 2011.
The Metropolitan Community Church is an international Protestant denomination that specifically focusses on outreach to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. On Transgender Day of Remembrance Debbie tells the congregation about Lashai Mclean, a trans woman who was fatally shot in DC in July of 2011.
Though she was raised a Christian, Xion is unaffiliated with any church at this point, her faith very much in question. Much of her family strife is due to homophobia that is rooted in a strict interpretation of The Bible that deems homosexuality sinful.
Though she was raised a Christian, Xion is unaffiliated with any church at this point, her faith very much in question. Much of her family strife is due to homophobia that is rooted in a strict interpretation of The Bible that deems homosexuality sinful.
In January 2012, Xion will move to the Wanda Alston House, a home dedicated to serving the needs of homeless GLBT youth in Washington, D.C. Many of the residents are in similar situations to Xion, finding themselves cast out by family because of their lifestyle.
In January 2012, Xion will move to the Wanda Alston House, a home dedicated to serving the needs of homeless GLBT youth in Washington, D.C. Many of the residents are in similar situations to Xion, finding themselves cast out by family because of their lifestyle.
Before a meeting at the Petworth police department, Xion notes her new role as activist feels better than being picked up and harassed by cops. Police keep tabs on the women they find walking the streets at night, often making arrests for prostitution.
Before a meeting at the Petworth police department, Xion notes her new role as activist feels better than being picked up and harassed by cops. Police keep tabs on the women they find walking the streets at night, often making arrests for prostitution.
On Transgender Day of Action, Xion takes to the streets to urge DC police to provide better protection to the transgender community. Of the numerous assaults processed regularly by the police, virtually all of the crimes against these women go unsolved.
On Transgender Day of Action, Xion takes to the streets to urge DC police to provide better protection to the transgender community. Of the numerous assaults processed regularly by the police, virtually all of the crimes against these women go unsolved.