I believe it was an example of trans joy because I could just show the world who I was. I think trans joy means that any trans person can express themselves freely without being judged for who they are. It also means that they celebrate their pride and the beauty of their bodies.
One of the best things about this blogging is the opportunity to connect people with things they need, resources they deserve, and opportunities to experience joy or so many other things. We all love when a plan comes together, but there’s some extra magical about plans that come unexpectedly together and create something more than you anticipated.
There’s no doubting that Billy Porter is one of the truly magical parts of Pittsburgh – I don’t have to tell you that. He is an international superstar, but he returns home over and over and over again. He has friends and family here, but he also seems to understand in a very specific way how there are so many young people now who can relate to Billy before he became famous. Kids who need him to show up and support them and stay very much Billy Porter from East Liberty, not just fabulous world sensation. I saw that in his first directorial feature film Anything’s Possible.
He was back in town in late May for a show at Heinz Hall. When his team reached out to me to discuss a little promotion, I told them about our #ProtectTransKids projects and that I had left a sign – for months – with Billy’s very good friend, Richard Parsakian, in hope Billy would agree to a photo and perhaps appreciate the sign. They assured me he would see Richard to pick up the sign and then … they offered two tickets to Kejuan, the young woman at the heart of our project.
That was heartfelt and nice and Kejuan was thrilled. She invited her brother Christopher to escort her and off they went. But … it took an even better turn when later that evening her father texted me to share a video clip of Kejuan on stage with Billy Porter. What? What? What?
We are inundated with a lot of traumatizing experiences, terrible stories, and too much pain every single day. A “win” is often merely holding back the demons seeking to destroy our youth for another day rather than creating something new.
All I did was designate a sign for Billy months ago and get out of the way as they collided in a powerful moment of Black girl magic and trans joy that lit up our famed skyscape like the Fourth of July. Being a connector was sustaining for me, but also watching that video clip as this amazing brave and fierce young woman was celebrated -LIFTED UP -because of who she is outside or and in spite of the experiences that created this project.
And I want every trans kid out there to know that they are loved and I love all of them and that there are others like them. It brings us trans joy because our identity as well as everyone else’s is being protected.
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So … can you guess what I’m going to type? … yes, I did ask Kejuan to complete a Q&A with me to share her magical moments, moments that she created with Billy Porter, not just the narrative most often spinning through these blog posts. She graciously agreed and so I give you, Kejuan.
Your Name: Ke’Juan Hall
Your Age: 16
Your Pronouns: she/her
How do you describe your identity?
I am a black trans girl. My name is Ke’Juan, but I prefer to be called Nova.
Last month, you had an encounter with Billy Porter. Will you please tell us what you know about Billy and what impact he’s had on your life before this encounter?
I knew that Billy Porter was in my favorite musical kinky Boots so when I went to see him he walked down the aisle to the audience and I held his hand and I said, “You’re gorgeous.” I wa excited. I also knew that Billy was an openly gay black man in the industry too which was aspiring.
So you and your older brother go to the show when something even more special happens – you are on stage! Tell us how that unfolded. Did you know ahead of time?
He asked the audience if anyone wanted to do a walk off. I rose my hand high and he said “white glasses come on up!” I was in shock. I just could not believe it. I did the walk off and did a pose and Billy said I did awesome and called me beautiful.
You are a performance artist so being on stage isn’t new to you and I wasn’t the least bit surprised by how confident you were, how you just seized the moment. Please tell our readers what it was like and how it made you feel.
It was like 30 seconds of fame. Lol. Finally getting my spotlight and being able to show other trans kids that they can just be themselves and not be afraid of who they are. It made me feel so excited and happy.
You were part of a ‘walk off’ with another member of the audience. What is a walk off?
A walk off is whenever u do a strut to your oppent then u circle 3 times walk back then pose.
Is it fair to say the moment on stage at the show is an example of ‘trans joy’? What does ‘trans joy’ mean to you? Is it something you find as a trans person or something you bring as a trans person?
I believe it was an example of trans joy because I could just show the world who I was. I think trans joy means that any trans person can express themselves freely without being judged for who they are. It also means that they celebrate their pride and the beauty of their bodies.
Over the past 11 months, more than 1800 households have put up signs to say they will protect you. Thousands more have stickers and pens from the #ProtectTransKids project. How does that tie into trans joy?
It helps to know I have people in my community that will stand by me with whatever adversity myself or any trans kid in this city has to go through. And I want every trans kid out there to know that they are loved and I love all of them and that there are others like them. It brings us trans joy because our identity as well as everyone else’s is being protected.
What are your plans for the summer?
My plans are to work so I can have enough money to buy a car and to also see my boyfriend and finally just to relax
Finally, please pick a song that we can add to this post to send your message of joy and protection to trans kids everywhere.
Good as Hell by Lizzo
Thank you, Kejuan.
Note -I did ask her if she preferred me to continue referring to her as Kejuan (her preferred spelling) or use Nova and she has asked the project folx to continue calling her Kejuan.
Do you have your #ProtectTransKids yard sign, yet? Billy Porter has his – what are you waiting for? Click bit.ly/ProtectTransKidsSigns
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