Fostering Trans Joy

By Dakota Parks for Inweekly

At a time when transgender people face constant attacks on their rights, from passports to healthcare to housing, it can be hard to leave room for joy.

That’s why, for the past eight years, Strive has been hosting TransFest: a multi-day celebration of trans joy and trans lives, including Transgender Day of Remembrance, which honors those lost to anti-transgender violence. This year, TransFest will take place Nov. 19-23.

For board member Indigo Lett, Strive’s mission has always been about more than survival; it’s about connection, representation and being part of something bigger than herself.

“As a Black trans person, I wanted to be someone present to those who may not know the unique struggles that someone like me faces on a daily basis,” she explained. “The organization means so much to me because of all the work we have done for our local community and connections we have made.”

As Lett described, that work grows more urgent every year. Strive remains one of the only organizations in Northwest Florida dedicated specifically to helping trans people thrive.

“As of right now we’re still fighting against anti-trans legislation in our state of Florida that comes up every year, book bans that target queer/trans people—and in our own city of Pensacola, we’ve lost [hormone replacement therapy coverage at] Community Health Northwest Florida, so access to healthcare is another thing we’re facing,” Lett said. “And, as always, we have an issue with the queer/trans community finding housing and jobs.”

Amid these challenges, Strive continues to operate as a socialist, grassroots initiative focused on direct mutual aid rather than traditional nonprofit efforts. Through community donations and volunteer labor, the group redistributes resources to trans people who need them most. Programs include an emergency housing program, funds for medications and doctor’s appointments and help with food, transportation and other essentials.

Lett says TransFest plays a vital role in that ecosystem not just as a celebration, but as a tool for education and empowerment.

“TransFest as an event helps us explain why now more than ever we need to provide our community with the resources it needs to be able to not only survive and live, but eventually thrive while fighting the forces of capital in all of its terrible forms,” Lett explained. “Most of the stories of the trans people that we see who’ve been killed year after year are [harmed] more than just by an individual who killed them—but by an economic system in capitalism that has failed them every step of the way with lack of housing, working opportunities and education with discrimination at every turn.”

Even while confronting these systemic issues, TransFest remains primarily a celebration.

“At TransFest, we try to have fun events that anyone can attend, so that people who are allies and people who may not know too much about the queer/trans community can see us in different aspects,” Lett said. “That way, they can feel a familiarity to their own lives and how we have similar struggles and successes.”

The festival lineup includes visual art events, a concert and a park gathering. Throughout, TransFest ties together grief and joy, remembrance and renewal.

“Trans Day of Remembrance means so much to us and the community,” Lett shared. “It’s a time for us to come together and remember those who were killed that year, but also an understanding of the progress we have made that year—with more work still to be done.”

That balance between resistance and joy is what keeps Strive’s mission alive. Beyond visibility, the organization hopes TransFest will inspire both trans people and allies to take concrete steps toward liberation.

“We hope that new people who come to these events are taking away the fact that while there is grief in the trans community, there is joy as well,” Lett said. “Our hope for TransFest is to provide amazing events for not only the trans community but for everyone who wants to support the queer/trans community, and to inspire them to work outside of the two-party system to address the immediate and long-term needs of a marginalized community.”

Lett encourages everyone—trans and allies alike—to get involved, whether by showing up, donating or simply learning.

“First of all, showing up to these events is key,” Lett said. “When the older generations used to say 90% of doing something is just showing up, I didn’t believe them. But now that I’m over 10 years into doing activism work, it’s really important that people show up during TransFest and beyond.”

Strive’s TransFest 2025


WHAT: A multi-day event celebrating the transgender community


DETAILS: facebook.com/socialisttransinitiative, @strivepensacola

TransFest 2025 Schedule

•Draw Together

5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St.

•Trans Celebration of Life and Potluck

6 p.m. Thursday Nov. 20

•Strive Benefit Show

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at Betty’s on Belmont, 506 W. Belmont St.Show is $10 and will feature Radio Decay, Anemony, Other and more

•Graffiti Bridge Painting

2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Graffiti Bridge on 17th Ave.

•Trans Park Frolic

12 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at Bayview Park, 2001 E. Lloyd St.

For those looking to connect beyond TransFest, Strive meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Black Café and Bookstore, 3498 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive