2021 Trans Awareness Week Spotlight: Beyonce St. James

by Beyonce St. James, she/her

I’m a Trans Women🏳️‍🌈 from New York. I'm 75% Puerto Rican🇵🇷 & 25% African American🇿🇦. I've been a Entertainer for over 18 years. I am the current Miss UTOPIA International (2019-20-21) and the first in history La Femme Magnificent Enhance International 2019-20-21 as well.

I’m the first Trans Empress of Spokane elected from the community. I am your Entertainer of the Year ISCS, Miss Pride 2018-19, Miss Washington Continental Plus 2018-19, Miss SC Continental Plus 2017-18, and your past Miss Queen Look International, NW Nubian Pride Queen, Miss National Capital City Plus along with 15 other titles nationwide. I am your Ambassador for PrEP (Chill PILL) campaign nationwide, including Billboards Posters and Commercial (www.hivchillpill.org). I'm proud to be able to use my platform as an entertain to be able to speak out loud and make a change for our community.

The reason Trans Day of Remembrance is so important to myself and other Trans women of color is the simultaneous appreciation of past fallen Trans sisters of color and their experiences. Not only did they pave the way, but I am blessed to say it intrigued me to mention it in a format that recognizes the foundational work and continued struggle to bring Awareness and admiration. This is important so that others of the GLBTQI community will be able to understand and grow, so that generated efforts aren't in vain. History is extremely fickle and fragile, not only today, but for the next ten years. It is important to revisit and learn because that is how you truly effect strong positive and lasting change. It is in this hour that we must not down the movement rather structure one's self.

I want my Trans sisters of color to experience a future that is better then the past ills inflicted by hate and ignorance. How we begin to heal is finding common ground coming together as one voice one love.... OUNCH™️