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An afternoon to support transgender immigrant and refugee youth

Celebrate and support the experiences, stories, and resiliency of trans and non-binary people within the refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Join us for music, art, and a panel presentation from community members.

Brought to you by STIRY (Supporting Transgender and Immigrant Refugee Youth).

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: Cascadia, Kaiser Permanente, Lutheran Community Services, Multnomah County (Youth Sexual Health Equity Program), QRC, Planned Parenthood, OHSU Partnership Project – Transgender Health Program, Morrison Child and Family Services, SMYRC, and the Coalition of Community Health Clinics (CCHC).

Panelists

  • Ariana (Ari) Michelle Rosales, (they/them, she/hers) is a multidisciplinary, artist, writer, and translator. They hold a literature degree from George Mason University and their favorite rodent is the Capybara. A Pride Foundation Scholar; a collaborating artist at the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA), and contributor of original content to the PICA blog; they serve as artistic co-director of Acción Poética Portland. Currently, Ari is an MFA Fiction candidate at Portland State University where they teach composition and creative writing.
  • Erin Waters, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for Kaiser Permanente has many years of experience working, training, and advocating on behalf of the LBGTQ+ community. She has been involved in many crucial projects, including the development of a patient advisory council and helping to establish community speech pathology programs serving transgender clientele. Every day she helps further community engagement through initiatives as a member of the Basic Rights Oregon Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the Kaiser Permanente NW Business Resource Group.
  • Úmi Vera is a child of Tepehuan O’dami indigenous immigrant parents. She was born and raised half of her life in Tongva lands (southeast Los Angeles) and currently resides in Kalapuya, Cowlitz and Clackamas lands in the Pacific Northwest. With 15 years of organizing experience predominantly in policy advocacy in the intersections of migrant and trans/queer grassroots organizing, she is Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement’s National Campaigns Director. She has executive leadership experience and was the End Profiling Legislative Campaign Director at Unite Oregon, a refugee and immigrant rights organization. In addition to passing the End Profiling Law in OR, she also co-created Resilient Connections, a support group and leadership program for trans/queer refugees and migrant new arrivals.

Musicians and MC

  • Jack Mozie, nee Ramiro Orellana, is a singer/songwriter and music producer who started his career performing in clubs in Seattle, Washington. He released his first album, Sealed For Your Protection, on March 18, 2011, with 14 original songs. His second album, Iron Fist, was released on April 23, 2013, and garnered him some popularity in the Seattle area. Also, Jack is an activist. He has been participating in May Day marches in Seattle, volunteering at Pride events, and helping to create fundraisers to benefit local LGBT non-profits. He recently released a four-song EP ‘Chasing Rainbows’. Learn more
  • Sepand Bahri is a transgender man from Iran. He studies Persian music and participated in choir as a baritone. He received his Persian music degree from Art Academy in Iran in 2008. He also studied Music Technology at Shoreline Community College and got his second degree of Associate in Art and Science in 2019. Right now Sepanta is going to the Berklee College of Music, studying Game Audio Design and Electronic Music Production.
  • Lukas Soto (Ojibwe/Mapuche) is a Portland-based organizer, activist, and racial equity consultant. Their professional work lies at the intersection of environmental sustainability, race/identity politics, transgender justice, Two-Spirit and Indigenous sovereignty, trauma-informed care, and many other topics that focus on uplifting marginalized communities. As a first-generation Chilean-American they have a passion for supporting immigrant/refugee communities and have worked to cultivate a vibrant multicultural community in Portland. Lukas’ strengths lie in community outreach, leadership development and mentorship, public speaking, and storytelling. In their free time, you can find them gardening, exploring hot springs, spending time with elders and children, or singing endlessly to the music that makes their heart speak.

To Donate to STIRY: Visit Cascadia’s website and note “STIRY Elevate Your Voice” in the “Other” option under “Fund”

Questions? Please email Pari Mazhar, pari.mazhar@cascadiabhc.org.

In Solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives, STIRY Calls Out White Supremacy!

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