BLACK TRANS FUTURES
BLACK TRANS FUTURES
DaQuon, Peyton, and Channing
Left to right: Peyton, DaQuon and Channing
Peyton (they/she) is a high-schooler and member of the TKO Youth Ambassador Program. Along with DaQuon, Peyton is an ongoing advocate for LGBTQ+ youth their life and discusses what it means to show up for people.
DaQuon (pronoun indifferent) is a peer navigator at TKO connecting Black, and Queer teens to resources and health services. Along with singing/performance talents, DaQuon owns Black Culture Luxe, an apparel and accessory brand created for and by Black folks.
Channing (he/him) is a student at the University of South Alabama and is a TKO client. Channing is a certified phlebotomy technician and currently studies biomedical science.
What do you love about yourselves? and each other?
“I love everything about myself. I have come to a point in my life where I can just accept myself for who I am, accept all my physical flaws, my emotional flaws, my mental flaws. But I especially love my hair.”
“When I was younger, I dealt with certain ideas that I had for my body that just made me like, you know…not always like it. And then I got to a point where it’s just like, girl “i love all of me” I love everything about me.”
“I would say my curiosity. I really love new things and meeting new people…Feel like you can learn a lot with a curious mind and being knowledgable. Loving what you know is the best part.”
Peyton: This is my bestie [hugs Daquon] since middle school. He’s done so much for me. I wouldn’t be here without you.
DaQuon: Peyton is my little sister. And Channing? Been my ride or die since 3rd grade. We’ve been doing this since bus years.
Channing: I like how y’all are yourselves. I get nervous sometimes and say “people are looking at us.” But we’re ourselves and we’re out. We’re gonna laugh.
Peyton: I love y’alls confidence. Y’all dont second guess yourselves.
Daquon: Channing is very intelligent. And on top of that, very ambitious. He's gonna go out and get it already a certified phlebotomist, like on the way to be a whole doctor. Can't wait to say Dr. Evans.
Peyton is just a loving and kind sweet soul. When I come around, Peyton, my energy just goes up a little bit more because that's just, you know, Peyton's energy. Like they're like nobody can really match Peyton for real, for real.
Footage from Selma Black Pride (2022)
What does it mean to “keep us safe?”
DaQuon: TKO is like…the only people who literally welcome us with…open arms to be completely ourselves, who are also like us. When I think about community, I think about them.
Channing: When I see TKO or hear things about TKO, I feel like that’s a whole home. That’s the ultimate safe haven for myself or people that have not known their true self yet, or they’re about to know their true self.
Peyton: [in regards to “we keep us safe”], if we can be there for each other, we’re going to. If DaQuon’s in trouble, I’m like “I gotta go.” If Channing’s in trouble, I’ll step for them. I’ll step for anybody. It’s about protecting each other.
Channing: it feels like we all have this spiritual and emotional connection that just lies so deep within us that we can never be broken.
Daquon: I see more community and more acceptance. We’re being the change we want to see. If we keep doing it, it’s going to be the social norm.
Channing: When I look at TKO and the people here, it’s just like, no matter what, we’re gonna be happy. Success isn’t saying “i’m gonna have this or I’m gonna be there.” it’s saying “this is where I am…I am successful for who I am and where I am” And I just need to have the motivation and the power to keep going and push through.
