A local young transgender woman has made it her mission to help the trans community triumph over the challenges in their lives. This weekend, the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative will recognize her efforts.
GALAEI will present its inaugural David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award to Biancah Melanie Ortiz at its April 15 gala at City Hall, which will run from 5-7 p.m.
Ortiz, 20, spent several years in the Family Court and Juvenile Justice System, and faced both transphobic policies and individuals during incarceration.
Ortiz spoke out about her experiences at the 2009 Trans-Health Conference while she was still incarcerated at an all-male treatment facility, marking the first time in months she was able to dress as a female.
“It was really hard because I was forced to live as something I wasn’t,” she said. “It was a hard situation, and I tried to teach people there how to deal with people in my situation because I was the first transgender person ever there. I tried to set an example and we worked and grew together, and I helped them to see how they need to treat transgender people.”
Since her release, Ortiz has worked to educate other trans youth about how to keep themselves safe and on the right path.
“I try to help people around the city because I’ve been through a lot of stuff myself and I don’t want to see other young trans people have to go through what I did. I’m here to help people who are like me. A lot of people don’t have support, and I try to be a teacher and a role model.”
Elicia Gonzalez, executive director of GALAEI, said the award-selection committee rated the nominees on a series of factors — passion for improving the community, dedication to a project, integrity in all aspects of life and a vision that inspires others — and that Ortiz impressed all of the committee members.
“Hands down, we were completely moved by her story,” Gonzalez said. “The nominees in general were all really remarkable, passionate, dedicated youth, but Biancah really rose to the top because she is a fighter. She is so concerned about making sure other people aren’t going through what she went through, and she’s willing to put herself out there on a limb and advocate for the entire transgender community.”
The award was created last year and given to its namesake, the founder of GALAEI. This year’s award was dedicated to youth, while next year’s incarnation will be given to an adult member of the community.
Gonzalez said the committee was seeking a young person who truly embodies Acosta’s legacy of revolutionary leadership, which she said fit perfectly with Ortiz’s story.
“David is somebody who does things in terms of taking risks that other people aren’t willing or able to take. And when you put yourself out there, sometimes you’re met with open arms and other times with resistance, but that’s what makes someone a revolutionary leader and Biancah embodies those characteristics,” Gonzalez said. “What stuck out to me most was that she was still incarcerated when she spoke out at the Trans-Health Conference. She could have served her time and not said a word, but she thought it was important enough to put herself out there and express her frustrations and concerns as a transwoman in the system. I don’t think a lot of people would do that. There could have been shame with the position she was in and fear outing herself as a transgender person, so to have that determination, insight, passion and belief in yourself was just astonishing to me.”
Ortiz was nominated by Jasmine Ogelsby and Erica Smith of the Adolescent Initiative at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, with whom Ortiz became acquainted during her stint at the treatment facility.
In their nomination form, the pair wrote that Ortiz was insistent on opening the discussion about transgender issues within the juvenile system, a challenge that “was not required of her, but she felt passionately about making her experience, and the experience of other transwomen who would come after her, respectful and just.”
Since Ortiz was discharged of all court obligations, Ogelsby and Smith wrote that she has become an informal advocate for young transwomen of color.
“She uses her knowledge of the services available through city agencies to urge other young people to reduce sexual risk, get HIV testing, seek medical and social services, and heal the wounds of abuse, homophobia, transphobia and homelessness. She is a true leader with a big heart who uses her own experiences to make her community a better place.”
Ortiz said she was surprised and humbled by the GALAEI award.
“It’s very overwhelming for the simple fact that I never knew anybody really recognized what I was doing. I haven’t had much love in my life; my biggest support system has really been my mother and grandmother. But it’s been very hard to live as trans, so I feel very, very honored that someone recognized my work.”
For more information about the David Acosta Revolutionary Leader Award presentation, visit www.galaei.org.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].