Straight Talk at Arclia-Adams Trans Resource Center

Beginning this month, the Arcila-Adams Trans Resource center of the Wiliam Way LGBT Center will be hosting a bimonthly podcast centering the experiences of Black folks that are under that big ole trans umbrella. The first full episode will air on July 8th on our Youtube channel and Facebook page. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to tune in, but remember, Black TGNC+ folks are prioritized in the content of this programming.

We want to hear from you! We want to know what topics you all want to hear about. We want to feature your businesses, art, and work. Fill up the comments and let us know what you think. Email us at trc@waygay.org if you’d like to collaborate or be featured in a show.

Be kind, it’s our first go at it and like cheese and wine, we’ll get better with time!

Str8 talk at Arcila-Adams TRC

Charlene Arcila
(1963-2015)

Trans and HIV/AIDS activist Charlene Arcila moved to Philadelphia in 1991 from Jackson, Mississippi. She worked for The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium for over twenty years and was involved in numerous trans, HIV/AIDS, and recovery initiatives in the city and beyond. She was the founder of the internationally-known Philadelphia Trans Health Conference. She was instrumental in the overturning of SEPTA's gender marker policy, which led to the formation of the trans and allied activist group RAGE (Riders Against Gender Exclusion), and the eventual reversal in policy by SEPTA. Charlene was the recipient of numerous awards over her lifetime and she served as a deaconess and later ordained minister for Unity Fellowship of Christ Church.

Jaci Adams
(1957-2014)

Known to most as "Miss Jaci," trans and HIV/AIDS activist Jaci Adams was born in Beckley, West Virginia, and moved to Philadelphia with her family as a child. She began living on the street at the age of 9 and experienced poverty, childhood abuse, drug addiction and incarceration. Jaci served on the planning committees for Morris Home as well as for the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference. She was a founding member of the Temple University Community Advisory Board, and was the longest-serving member of the Philadelphia Police LGBT Liaison Committee. Jaci was named to POZ magazine's 100 Unsung Heroes and received Philly Pride’s first OutProud Transgender Award.
“The energy in the room was one of excitement and possibility. I was thrilled to see so many people show up to support the opening, [of the Trans resource Center] We promised that we would do justice to the legacy of Jaci Adams and Charlene Arcila through the ongoing work of the Trans Resource Center.”
Chris Bartlett
Director of the William Way LGBT Center
The new Trans Resource Center
William Way LGBT Community Center held a grand opening ceremony for its new Arcila-Adams Trans Resource Center.

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