Raquel Willis, co-founder of the Gender Liberation Movement (GLM) and transgender activist, has been recognized as one of TIME's Women of the Year. While the honor validates her career and passion, she stresses that true validation stems from within for her identity as a transgender woman, especially in a climate of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. The GLM aims to unite LGBTQ+ and women's rights advocates to promote bodily autonomy, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by the community and the need for continued activism amidst an alarming rise in restrictive laws.
This honor was validating for my career and for my passion, but not for my womanhood. It's especially important for trans people to make it clear that external validation pales in comparison to internal validation when it comes to our identities.
I hate that in some ways, things feel more restrictive and regressive than they did even then. That's why this honor is a bit bittersweet for me, because there's still so much left to do.
GLM is a grassroots and volunteer-run national collective seeking to unite LGBTQ+ people and women with their fellow Americans in the fight for bodily autonomy.
My work focuses on bodily autonomy and self determination for all, which goes beyond abortion and gender-affirming care access.
Collection
[
|
...
]