Louisiana Oral History Projects Counter Transphobia
Policy experts, activists, health care professionals, and others gather for “Pride Day at the Capitol” in Baton Rouge to talk with lawmakers about the harm of anti-trans bills; photograph by Raegan Labat, courtesy Sophie Ziegler.
“Our Joy is a Priority”: Louisiana Oral History Projects Counter Transphobia
The city of San Francisco established August as Transgender History Month in 2021. Yet San Francisco, as has often been the case, remains an outlier when it comes to protecting members of the LGBTQ community. In recent years, anti-LGBTQ politicians have been increasingly bold in spreading fearmongering rhetoric about trans people and dedicating themselves to crafting virulently anti-trans legislation that purports to “address” a nonexistent threat.
Louisiana has seen its share of attempts to legislate transphobia, with bills proposed that would ban trans children from participating in sports; eliminate health care and gender-affirming treatment for trans children; and prohibit schoolteachers from identifying their gender or sexual orientation in the classroom. Fortunately, the state’s trans and nonbinary communities are responding in kind, leveraging a medium familiar to and beloved by the GLBT Historical Society: oral history.
The Solidarity History Initiative is an organization that partners with mission-driven organizations and social justice causes to uplift communities through historically grounded storytelling. Together with the Louisiana Trans Oral History Project and the Last Call Oral History Project, Solidarity History is interviewing people who are active in the resistance to anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bills. We interviewed Sophie Ziegler, a founder of the Louisiana Trans Oral History Project and organizer of Solidarity History, about how oral history not only documents this historical moment but is helping to galvanize opposition to anti-trans legislation.
How is Louisiana faring in the current climate, and how are people in Louisiana fighting back against these bills?
SZ: In some ways, Louisiana has been fortunate where many of our Southern neighboring states have not. Of the seven or so anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bills filed over the last two years, only one has become law—and even then, that bill had to be introduced in three consecutive sessions before it succeeded. The reason for our relative success is multifaceted. We have a long history of queer and trans representation in state government, as lobbyists, staffers, and elected officials in various positions. We also have a longstanding, policy-oriented, trans-rights organization, the Louisiana Trans Advocates. Our legislative session also starts later than most other states, so we have a little more time to see national trends emerge. On the other hand, we are dealing with unprecedented political machinations, including veto override sessions and the resurrection of nearly forgotten procedural rules.
We have responded energetically! We’ve seen a coalition emerge that includes health care professionals, policy experts, experienced activists, and dedicated individuals from all walks of life. Because of this broad coalition, we’ve been visible at legislative hearings, active in sit-ins, and we’ve been loud at protests. In many of the interviews we’ve collected, we hear about the power of this coalition and the strength that arises from so many different perspectives and life experiences.
How is the Solidarity History Initiative working to preserve these stories of success?
SZ: The oral history projects preserve the memories, perspectives, and opinions of people active in the resistance against anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation and ensures they are part of the larger story of these legislative sessions. These are times that will be long remembered in the story of our state, and we want to ensure that the role of trans, queer, and allied individuals is likewise remembered. Oral history is particularly well suited for capturing contemporary history. The individuals we interview are busy, and unlikely to record their thoughts and reflections in any accessible format. Furthermore, oral history is a collaborative process. We share transcripts with our interviewees, and they can edit or delete to ensure their meaning is maintained. Oral history also allows us to take advantage of our personal connections. Everyone doing interviews is also involved in the resistance to these bills, and we are part of the coalition that we’re documenting.
Do you have any favorite moment or themes in the interviews you’ve conducted so far?
SZ: Everyone we talk to tells us how they find joy. The steps they take to rejuvenate; the boundaries they maintain to allow themselves to recharge; the people they surround themselves with that allow mutual thriving. The work is so hard. The stakes are high. And still this is a joyous community. We fight because our lives are worth fighting for and our joy is a priority.
NOTE: To learn more about these efforts, visit the websites of Solidarity History, the Louisiana Trans Oral History Project, and the Last Call Oral History Project.
Sophie Ziegler (they/them) is the founder and oral historian of the Solidarity History Initiative. A librarian by trade, Sophie has worked with a wide variety of organizations to expand gender and racial representation in cultural heritage institutions.