Honoring Our Legacy

This gathering is part of the exhibition Why You Laughing? programming which centers joy from a Black queer and trans perspective. The exhibition is currently on display at MaMA Rotterdam from November 1st to January 5th. Why You Laughing? is a collaboration between MaMA and program maker Aisha Bah. MaMA is a platform for visual culture in Rotterdam, where young talent develops through productions and presentations at the interface of visual art and popular culture.

Join us on Trans Remembrance Day for a solidarity ceremony facilitated by Rafik Opti, honoring the lives of Black trans and gender nonconforming people taken from us in recent years. This gathering is rooted in the spirit of remembrance, collective care and solidarity.

The violence faced by Black trans and gender nonconforming people is devastating - both publicly as within our own communities. This gathering offers a moment to honor and commemorate all those lives recently lost who inspire us to continue the fight for a future where Black trans lives are celebrated and protected. Together, we will cultivate a deeper collective understanding for the lives we wish to protect. This space is a chance to create new possibilities for safety and justice within our shared spaces.

This event is exclusively for Black diasporic trans and gender nonconforming people. We invite you to wear white attire and bring a candle or lantern, along with flowers if you can.

“THERE ARE BLACK TRANS PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE.”