For All The Pretty Birds, Issue 2: Together, I sat down with writer, activist, and thought leader Raquel Willis. I was originally introduced to her work through my friend Phillip Picardi, with whom she collaborated at Out Magazine. Thereafter, I had the blessing of observing her work online and slowly processing her elucidations on Black transgender liberation as a way of re-educating myself to become a sincere ally of the community. I finally met Raquel in December 2021, in Cortina, at a celebration for Bulgari Magnifica: The Power Women Hold, to which she contributed an outstanding essay. I was blown away by her in every single way. Her warmth, her grace, her dance moves and her impressive intellect. Listening to her speak during the events’ panel remains one of the most moving experiences I have lived to date. Her style of communicating is highly informative, empathetic and compassionate, and she is evenly critical and demanding in her advocacy. Being in her presence evokes a feeling of safety, as she offers a space where you can show up, learn, stumble in your learning process without judgment, and acquire a foundation for clarity on issues related to the intersectionality of transgender Black liberation. It has been an honor getting to know Raquel and I am overjoyed to share this episode with you herr. Please enjoy and share Raquel’s gems of knowledge with your community.
