In my younger years, we lived in a city that had some diversity, in that people of color went to my school, attended our church and our family had relationships with people of color not only from our immediate environment but also in extended family/community relationships. Our active lives with family and friends included piano, dance, girl scouts, tending our massive gardens, as well as church activities like choir, bells and youth group. Both my parents were preachers’ kids and worked. I am a black presenting, mixed race, trans-racially adopted, gender non-conforming person, raised in a white home. White supremacy leeches into and supports transphobia, ableism, and misogyny.Ĭan you share your back-story growing up? The greatest challenges facing the Trans community-all communities really-are transphobia, racism and white supremacy and all the ways it impacts economics, education, housing, and employment. Talk about challenges facing the Trans community in Minnesota This year marks the 20 th anniversary for us being in (Loring) park. It started from discrimination against a black Trans woman not getting her stage time. One of those places is RARE Productions and one of the events we produce is the Power to the People area at Twin Cities Pride, a space and stage by and for Queer BIPOC folx. Since 1996, I have dedicated a great deal of time and energy to creating safer places for LGBTQ+, BIPOC communities. You currently serve as Director of the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition, and a mission of yours is creating SAFE SPACES for the LGBTQ+ community. She talked about the real discrimination, surveillance and violence she experienced. I remember the impact of Rivera standing on stage in 1973 and calling out the larger queer community with “Y’all better quiet down”. Johnson and Latina-American Sylvia Rivera). Remember that the Stonewall riots were led by Trans women of color. The power and visibility of the Trans (transgender) community literally fueled this whole celebration we call Pride. Here in Minnesota about 450,000 people attend the Twin Cities Pride celebration (in its 50 th year!) There is also MN POC Pride and there are pride celebrations in Duluth, Golden Valley, Pine City, Rochester, and many more cities and towns across the state. That is power!

Millions of people celebrate Pride globally. She calls upon a variety of evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and motivational interviewing, to tailor the course of treatment to each client’s individual needs.What is the legacy and impact of Pride Month for social change? She encourages her clients to develop deep insights and utilize supports to promote positive lasting change. Stella uses a collaborative and strength-based approach to allow her clients to not only manage their symptoms effectively but improve the overall quality of their lives and relationships. She has experience working with survivors of interpersonal trauma and utilizes techniques to administer trauma-informed care. She provides individual, couples, and family therapy to individuals of various ages and cultural backgrounds. She received her master’s from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work in 2011 and has been practicing psychotherapy in the community ever since. Stella Koltunov, a licensed clinical social worker, is currently employed as a staff clinician and intern coordinator at New York Behavioral Health.

Folx social justice