I am the executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), working to end discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. I am passionate about equality for all people of all gender identities and expressions.
Labels can be a tricky thing in our world. When we claim them for ourselves, labels can be empowering and enlightening, for us and the world around us. Yet, when used maliciously or without consent, labels can cause unspeakable or unforeseen harm. We should always be mindful about how our labels impact us, and how we can be more accepting and welcoming to identities around us.
I actively encourage us all to explore the labels we use for ourselves. Labels and identities are not always static - in fact, many are fluid...perpetually growing, shifting, and changing with us. I think this project is fantastic, because it captures the labels we identify with in the moment of these photos. Some of us may look back on these photos in a year and realize that our labels have changed, or may mean something different to us. And that growth is part of what makes us human!