Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Lilliana Reyes

Collections by Michelle Brown

Being transgender, living authentically, especially as a transwoman/man of color, not just in this country but globally, is a threat to one’s safety and longevity. Stepping out in your truth means living with the reality that there is an invisible target on your back and, if you are a person of color, that target has rings not only of transphobia but racism as well and is held together with threads of ignorance. Lilliana Reyes is a triple threat to bigotry, racism and transphobia. She is outspoken,driven & a true force to be reckoned with in the fight not just for transgender rights but for equality and justice. Lilliana is a trans Latina woman who has extensive history working with marginalized populations including people of color, women, LGBTQ communities, HIV positive communities, and most importantly youth and all their intersections. Growing up in a tight-knit Mexican family with her parents and older brother, she was shaped by principles of faith and feminism. She witnessed racial tensions in her hometown of Saginaw, but also saw her parents’ acceptance of others, including their gay friends. Reyes was raised to believe you can do anything you want in life if you work for it. She has worked with many state and national civil rights organizations including Planned Parenthood, National Organization of Women, Transgender Michigan, and NAACP. She is currently the program services director at Affirmations, metro Detroit's community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people and their allies. As a graduate of the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School with a Master of Public Administration and her experience of being a transgender, Latina woman has allowed her to utilize personal lessons along with her academic career to create a culture of youth empowerment encouraging diversity in all endeavors.