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Using public appearances, broadcast, print & social media to create change.
Transgender Day of Remembrance & Resilience
SAY THEIR NAMES
Zuzubean Press's co-founder Scottie Jeanette Madden & Queen Victoria Ortega created this memorial for TDOR 2023, during the production of "Royal T with Queen Victoria Ortega." Says Madden, "we were looking for way to honor TDOR in a way that would be elevated to Queen Victoria's quote that 'TDOR should stand for Transgender day of Resilience.' The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles' Artistic Director, Abdullah Hall, was interviewed for Royal T, and explained the origin of the song Courage to be how we are" written by Ruth Huber, dedicated to the memory of Gwen Araujo.
Here at Zuzubean Press, we've tried over the years to deal with the waterfall of feels that this day brings each year. Rage, despair, outrage, sadness, more rage, and a whole host of words that should never follow the word Transgender & Nonbinary, ever. The TDOR vigils and ceremonies and services for the murder of our siblings is both triggering for the living and too late for the lives lost by the mostly Black & brown women, who were, many times, disrespected even in their deaths.
We are intrigued by some leaders in our community referring to today as TDORR with the second are standing for Resilience. This may be the better way of referring to this day, as it maintains the respect for us all, connected as we are to our siblings, and most certainly for the chosen family of the lost while at the same time seeing the resilience we have and are; but the better solution is for our allies to join us in removing the need for having this day at all. This day was always marked to call for a complete and utter stop to this violence. It was hoped to be a wake-up call to action and never a yearly memorial. Say. Their Names. They are remembered and we all are Resilience in human form.
We are intrigued by some leaders in our community referring to today as TDORR with the second are standing for Resilience. This may be the better way of referring to this day, as it maintains the respect for us all, connected as we are to our siblings, and most certainly for the chosen family of the lost while at the same time seeing the resilience we have and are; but the better solution is for our allies to join us in removing the need for having this day at all. This day was always marked to call for a complete and utter stop to this violence. It was hoped to be a wake-up call to action and never a yearly memorial. Say. Their Names. They are remembered and we all are Resilience in human form.
Scottie Jeanette is guest on "Forged In Fire: LGBTQ+ Leadership" Podcast
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Our Co-Founder Scottie Jeanette is featured this week on Forged In Fire, the podcast by Dr. Liz Cavallos & Lt. Col. Bree Fram, who's book & podcast introduce their audience to LGBTQ+ superheroes and explores the nexus of LGBTQ+ identity and leadership development through interviews with leaders in business, government, academia, advocacy, entertainment more, diving into crucible moments in LGBTQ+ lives to understand how leaders grow into superheroes.
Lt. Col. Bree Fram (she/her) is an astronautical engineer and a lieutenant colonel in the US Space Force. She is a passionate advocate and speaker on diversity and inclusion, leadership, and LGBTQ+ issues. Dr. Liz Cavallaro is an Executive Coach, Adult Development Scholar, Educator, and Leader Development Practitioner. Her research interests include a range of topics relevant to the development of leaders, including cognitive development, coaching, self-awareness, organizational development, wellbeing, meaningful work, and eudaimonia. Together they are responsible for With Honor and Integrity: Transgender Troops in Their Own Words from NYU Press and the author of Forged in Fire: From Discrimination to Leadership in the LGBTQ+ Community, a forthcoming work on LGBTQ+ Leadership Development from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. |
WHAT A NIGHT!
WORLD PREMIERE "PROUD In a Pandemic" WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8th, 2023
Proud In A Pandemic premiers before a sold out crowd! |
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DTLA Proud presented the world premiere of an unflinching and inspiring feature documentary, "PROUD in a Pandemic." The film examined the experiences of 22 Los Angeles LGBTQ+ community members and leaders, through the early days of COVID and the events tied to the “Summer of Social Uprising.” The documentary showed the similarities between the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s and the "Novel Corona Virus." Moreover, how the “Expanded Access” Program, that was championed by the ACT UP Organization, was instrumental in providing a framework that allowed the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to be fast-tracked throughout major parts of the world.
"PROUD in a Pandemic" captured a moment in time, when despite these struggles, the breadth and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community demonstrated its strength and resourcefulness by becoming more connected and united than ever before. PROUD in a Pandemic is a time capsule film that shares stories about innovation, survival, and the tenacity of the LGBTQ+ community. The amazing subjects walked the Pink Carpet and then watched the film. Afterwards Christian Galeno form Spectrum 1 News moderated a Q&A with Director Scottie Jeanette, Co-Executive Producer Oliver Alpuche, Producer Dennis Caasi, Editor, Nicole McClure, Co-Writer Aubrey Rice, and Producer Charles Ochoa, The night wrapped up with everyone dancing the night away under the stars at post-screening reception and party on the rooftop |
Scottie Jeanette says of the film,
"When the lockdown upended life, and events were canceling left & right, the board of directors voted to create a documentary in lieu of the annual festival. CUT TO: It's two years later, the pandemic is still ranging, but the movie is done! "It was both a labor of love and a lifeline for the entire volunteer crew," said Ms. Madden, "We were inventing our CoVID protocols before the rest of Hollywood had figured it out." Scottie Jeanette goes on to describe the film, "If you are a member of the Queer community and are alive today, your life either directly or through the people you love has been touched by 4 pandemics -- Racism, Homophobia, HIV/AIDS and now COVID-19. We as a community have the scars to show, but more importantly we have developed muscles to help us survive and thrive -- we have something to offer the world through our experiences. “PROUD in a Pandemic” captures a moment in time when despite these struggles, the breadth and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community is becoming more connected and united than ever before. The PROUD in a Pandemic film is a time capsule of stories about the innovation, survival, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community." We couldn't be more... wait for it... Proud to be associated with this amazing film. |
Dropped on Valentine's Day - "Episode 99 - From Survivor to Thriver"
In the transgender community, the suicide rates are alarmingly high, and there is a huge need for mental health support among those who have or are currently, transitioning. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Scottie Jeanette Madden to talk about her journey from girl to boy to woman, and how she now helps others in the transition process through her book and documentary.
Gender dysphoria is actually visceral, emotional, intellectual, and physical, and it comes from trying to deny your gender identity.” -Scottie “Use this story of hope and optimism and be that. Be that change and be that advocate.” -Marc“A lot of what drives discrimination is fear and shame within the non-trans community.” -Erik De Rosa, Co-Host
Gender dysphoria is actually visceral, emotional, intellectual, and physical, and it comes from trying to deny your gender identity.” -Scottie “Use this story of hope and optimism and be that. Be that change and be that advocate.” -Marc“A lot of what drives discrimination is fear and shame within the non-trans community.” -Erik De Rosa, Co-Host
AND NEWS YOU CAN USE:
A note from our Co-Founder - Scottie Jeanette |
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It's been a... well, a pandemic! And things here have been as crazy at Zuzubean Press as I'm sure your life has been too. So many things changed since the passing of Mylove and Co-Founder, Marcy that it's been hard to keep track - but the most important has been that I am just now getting my head around to fulfilling one of Mylove's last... wishes?
Not exactly accurate, more like a direction, to "Keep Zuzubean going." What does this mean? In Marcy's words, it would be to continue to follow our mission. We didn't take those words lightly, and we in fact, scrutinized it over several days to encapsulate what had taken a lifetime marriage to understand... that the discord we felt (or sometimes dealt - just being 100) ignorance (the world's and our own) and fear (in all forms) would be transformed into Light (capital L intended), Laughter (again, Superintended!) & (the magic connector, stronger than the mere word "and" and Queer as any character) Love, (of course capital L). It's a tall order as I try to go forward without her. I'm not done grieving, not sure I ever will be, but I'm ready to jump back in. But she knew I was just the woman to do it. And it's her unending faith in me that is the wind beneath my wings. So on this TDOV(e) I am the that dove, in Her name. And in her love. I haven't been idle during this time, creativity is my "go to" coping mechanism, and I've directed a documentary which I'll be announcing soon, a novel (also announcing soon) and I have been on the Board of Directors for The Transgender Chorus of LA and DTLA PROUD, the pride organization of down town LA. for the first two years of the lockdown. You're going to see some changes to this site in the coming weeks as I dig back into the work at hand. Check back often and share with your friends - this place is a safe place and resource for those everyone, especially those who are new to our evolving community. Please sign up for mailing list as a way to stay in touch - parents with questions, newly out, or anyone seeking support. all my love, always 
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