
Transilient
More Than Trans.
Transilient
More Than Trans.
Transilient is a traveling multi-media project. We candidly document transgender and gender non-conforming people in their day-to-day lived realities using only their voices.
The project attempts to humanize, educate and destroy the assumption that trans folks are solely defined by their physical experience and their oppression. To bring about understanding and tackle transphobia we aim to weave transgender lives into the overall human experience instead of merely focusing on the transition.
Our objective is to create a platform that is accessible to all people, in and out of the trans community.
In 2019, we are partnering with Lost Got Found and going to make a mini series surrounding mental health in Appalachia.
In the Summer of 2019, we plan to tour Alaska. We plan to make the 2019 tours into a full length documentary.
Our long term goal is to open a trans artist residency for trans folks of all ages.
We Tell Stories
In 2016 and 2017, the Transilient team collectively traveled 19,000 miles in 11 weeks. We interviewed 120 people and supported 4 team members on the road with a tiny budget of $9,200.
Interviewing Basil
Transgender and non-binary people are far more than their bodies, social transitions, and the oppression we face. We aim to tell stories of the lives of these individuals, be it stories of their successes and aspirations, their stories of healing, or their stories of exploration of their identity and the world in which they live.
Supporting trans advocates and nonprofits is an essential part of our work. We believe that transgender and non-binary people hold the strength, love, and power to change society merely by existing. By showcasing the work of members of the trans community, we hope to aid members of our community in making passionate, effective change. Any and all profits made through Transilient’s work is given to nonprofits and projects we encounter through our travels.
Collaboration with members of the trans and gender nonconforming community allows everyone involved in the storytelling process to have autonomy over their story. Instead of simply interviewing our subjects, we aim to support their endeavors and personal growth however we can. Transilient also joins forces with similar projects, media outlets, and LGBT nonprofits with the understanding that these collaborations create more spaces where our community’s stories can be told.
Every human being is just that: a human being. Restorative justice efforts aim to repair harm caused or revealed by difficult or criminal behaviors. While no form of restorative justice is perfect for every situation, it is imperative that we explore the many pathways to healing that these efforts provide. By replacing “call-out” culture by “calling in” those who may have harmed us or our community, we can create a more holistic culture of patience, growth, and understanding.
Liberation starts with leadership. For this reason, all members of Transilient are trans, non-binary, or gender non-conforming.
Transgender and nonbinary people are active members in society. They are our neighbors, our teachers, our children, and our friends. Transilient’s work helps to foster a world in which trans people and their narratives are valued and shared just as openly as those of cisgender people.
We spread the recognition that trans people come from various backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We foster a place that allows community members to ask questions and engage with us on anything surrounding our work, how things are organized in Transilient, or the trans and nonbinary community.
Transgender and nonbinary people in the southeast and rural areas of the United States are consistently left out of the movement and we work to give these folks, in particular, visibility. Transilient’s team members have never been professionals in any aspects of the project. Transilient gives opportunities to those who have not been given “traditional” education opportunities, who’s trans identity intersects with another marginalized aspect of themselves, and those from low income backgrounds that need a platform to expand their work. The project takes on new assistant’s every year. In terms of who we interview, class, race, and education divides have a tendency to corrode the root of any movement. We uphold all voices regardless of their political affiliation, language they use to describe themselves, past histories, mistakes made, and how they handle transphobia, while keeping in mind all members in the community are coming from different financial, political, and educational places.
Director of Film
James Heatherly is a photographer, cinematographer, graphic designer, and trans activist. He is from Kentucky . He has an intense passion to share peoples stories and help them speak on a platform that they otherwise might not have access to. If he's not out taking photos or getting video footage, he's either writing, exploring this beautiful planet or spending time with his exquisite Fiancée, Taylor.
Media Director
Beck Bennedetta is a nonbinary organizer who grew up throughout the south and currently considers Asheville, North Carolina home. Part of the Pansy Collective, they help organize a yearly queer arts festival, Pansy Fest. They live for queer southern resilience against southern pride. When they’re not organizing, they enjoy painting, learning to play new instruments, and spending time amongst the flowers. They have a BA in sociology and gender studies, a passion for disability justice, and a penchant for fizzy water drinks.
wearetransilient@gmail.com
Outreach Coordinator (and team jokester)
Sierra Debrow is a nonbinary young professional living in Jackson, Mississippi. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Sierra received a B.S. in Psychology from the College of Charleston in 2017. It was at the College of Charleston that they found a passion for Jewish Education, Disability Studies, and a passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy. Sierra is currently an Education Fellow at the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life. In their free time, Sierra enjoys hiking, writing, cooking, and exploring new places across the United States. After their fellowship, Sierra hopes to pursue a Master of Social Work degree and work with Jewish communities and spaces to be more inclusive of people of all backgrounds and abilities.
(Producer) Executive Director
Basil is a man of transgender experience, writer, photographer, intersectional activist and Southerner who wears his heart on his sleeve. He grew up in rural South Carolina and was homeless youth at the age of 16. He’s been published numerous times with various outlets such as Harper’s Bazar, OUT, Buzzfeed, Refinery 29, and more. He got a BA in Creative Writing from the New School. He’s an astrology enthusiast and tears up when he watches unexpected-animal-friend videos on the internet.
To learn more about Basil visit: www.basilvaughnsoper.com
Web Developer
Cady is Transilient's life source as the web designer. Cady makes glitchy art, interactive multi-media installations, weird music, and websites and mobile apps for causes she cares about. She's also totally into interaction and experience design. Like it's weird how much she's into that.
2018 Summer Intern
Reeves is a Trinidadian-American filmmaker who strives to heal the world, if only just a little. When not building computers, he can be found binging video games he can be found experimenting with crepe recipes or pondering Leninism (but only on Tuesdays).
Content Creator Team 2017 & Honorary Life Long Member
Carmen was Transilient’s first interview ever.
Carmen was on Transilient's Content Creator Team in 2017. Carmen is a dog enthusiast living in New Orleans. She was our first interview (ever!) and was also the first to be featured in our #MoreThanTrans mini-series. Carmen spends her days managing the largest pit bull rescue in the country. She is also pursuing a career in medical esthetics and make up artistry. Carmen is a jack of all trades, master at none, who loves nothing more than creating with her friends.
Special Thanks
There have been SO MANY amazing people who have volunteered time with us through transcribing, sponsoring us, working with us, letting us crash with them, or helping us find funding. We couldn't be more grateful for you and your efforts!
Leland Koble
Nico Lang
Tabitha Childers
Kelly Fields
Jonah Welch (2017 Assistant)
Gramma Rowena
Valena Scott
Tabitha Childers
Emily Connor
Jacky Chang
Jim Cundiff
Deli Wayne
Branson LB
Rachel Gonzalez (and the whole Gonzalez family)
Sara Kaplan
The National Center for Transgender Equality
Sessa Brooks
The Carolina Youth Action Project
Paula Sophia Schonauer
Shannon Soper and Adam Laiben
Sara Kaplan
Cat Lind
Klie Kliebert (2017 Communications Director)
Joelle Ballam-Schwan
Cindy Crabb
Julisa Abad
Sophia Stanford
Valena Scott
Kourtney Baker
Ranjeet Kaur
David Case
Johanna Campbell Case
(2016 assistant)
Bonnie Thompson
SahLeem Israel Butler (2017 assistant)
Transilient is creating a way to humanize trans & non-binary lives.
Please consider contributing to our mission!
If you are interested in helping transcribe, fundraise,
or anything else you can think of, please reach out to us at:
Executive Director
basilvaugnsoper@gmail.com
Assistant to the Director
beckmartens@gmail.com
Digital Media
heatherlyj1@yahoo.com