On July 30, 2020, the Fabulous Life Skills Program hosted a graduation ceremony for students that participated and completed all the required work for the first phase. The ceremony was held at the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada, featured food and beverages, and certificates of completion.
Many of the news and stories we hear about the Trans community focuses on the attacks and senseless murders, especially Trans women of color. More and more we are finally starting to see positive representation in the media. A documentary recently aired on Netflix called Disclosure, hosted by Leading trans thinkers and creatives, including Laverne Cox, Lilly Wachowski, Yance Ford, Mj Rodriguez, Jamie Clayton, and Chaz Bono shines a light on trans representation in the media and how it has negatively impacted the way society treats and thinks about gender and identity.
Locally, we want to showcase an amazing program meant to lift up and educate the Trans community. The best part is that the founder and creator of The Fabulous Life Skills Program, Jazmena Jameson, is a proud trans woman of color. Students meet weekly via zoom or socially distanced in person to cover life skills such as Computer, hygiene, grooming, criminal records, education, employment, financial, name changing, and other life skills.
At the graduation, Judy Bowenwiener, a trans activist Stonewall Survivor and icon gave a moving speech that empowered attendees to remember the past and celebrate the contributions that the Trans community has made. Garrett Pattiani, owner of QLife Media and Secretary on The Center’s Board of Directors also gave a speech that acknowledged the importance and amazing accomplishments of Jazmena and all of the graduates. Programs and events like these shine a spotlight on the amazing things that can be done, by the trans community for the trans community.
Jazmena is open with her students about her past life experiences, often common to Trans people and the discrimination they face in gaining meaningful employment and stable housing. By being honest with her students, it sends a strong message that no matter what your past, there is nothing that you can’t do to change your present circumstances and build a better future. The students develop into family and show support and encouragement for one another. Jazmena has also developed the Fabulous Pageantry System and is Miss Las Vegas Trans 2008 title holder.
Congratulations to all of the graduates!
The next session of Fabulous Life Skills is already in progress, Visit thecenterlv.org for information about future sessions.