On Monday of this week, Prism members gathered with hundreds of others at the Minnesota State Capitol to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility. The crowds included children and adults of all ages, people from different parts of the state, and neighbors of diverse beliefs and convictions. Community leaders and elected officials exhorted us to protect trans healthcare, while drag performers shared the joy of being our most fabulous selves. I joined other faith leaders affirming the belovedness of LGBTQ kin.

Trans, nonbinary, two-spirit, genderqueer and gender nonconforming people have been my teachers, mentors, family members and beloved friends throughout the years, adding joy to the world 365 days a year. But sometimes it’s important to shine a particular light on our community, just as a prism is sometimes necessary to make visible the rainbow spectrum that’s always there already in everyday light. I’m grateful for the many allies and LGBTQ folks who gathered on Monday to celebrate all who show what it means to be made in the multi-gendered image of the Divine.

But as one of the speakers said, “visibility is not liberation”. We move into April with greater dedication to embodying LGBTQ affirmation, freedom, protection and liberation all year long. Join in the Apple Valley or Woodbury community conversations this month, look around the website for other opportunities to engage anew this month, and thank you for being in this together!

Oby Ballinger, Prism Founder and Lead Organizer