An Ode to Trans Lives—Then, Now, Always

there’s no telling the story of

creation without us,

and the fruits we bear

after all, our roots were there in the garden,

unforbidden and gripping soil

crafting ”no way” and “no how“

into abundance,

burying convention and restriction

perhaps that’s why we were a threat?

as branches, we grasp at the sky,

leaning from the Mother tree

to endless possibility

with the celestial at our tips,

we shatter silence,

parting our lips for new language,

massaging the mundane into new movement,

adopting the discarded,

and pollinating the powerless

with purpose

perhaps that’s why we are a threat?

every ploy should have eradicated us

unjust soil, unforgiving air,

flames, currents, and judgmental eyes

But we repurpose the ills of the world

making beauty out of barrenness,

and love out of lawlessness

we’re sturdiest when braided together,

shading each other from stifling oppression

purifying ourselves,

and birthing new worlds,

unapologetic in our misunderstanding,

mothers of our own making,

fathers of our own fashioning,

bearers of new lives,

draped in light,

every ray a source of warmth

we do bear fruit,

seeping an authentic nectar,

this is our sustenance,

when times are unsteady,

and we must remember that

we’ve bent the world to our whim

before

and we will do it again

and again

and that’s why we will always be a threat

Director Camila Falquez Styling Lorena Maza Cinematography Fran Rios Talent Marquise Vilsón Balenciaga, Wes Balenciaga, Arewà Basit, Willow Defebaugh, Amarilla Diosa, Ceyenne Doroshow, Nirvana Garcia, Ariel Loh, Chelsea Manning, Lío Mehiel, Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Junior Mintt, Mobéy Lola Irizarry, Jinkx Monsoon, Aariana Rose Philip, Ita Segev, Nala Simonet, Yên Sen, Quori Theodor, Fran Tirado, Kian Volk, Raquel Willis Set design Damien von Shippee Set design assistants Tom Batuello, Erik Brambila Zavalza, Tyler Herson Casting GÜERXS, Maria Osado managing agent Lindsay Thompson wardrobe partner Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen light design Paula Andrea Agudelo second assistant Sean Manuel wardrobe assistants Olympia Arcot, Jeylan Ulusan, Julian Chams, Daniela Amin Production coordinator Analia Aizersztein production assistants Dante, Ginta Jasaite hair Marin Mullen hair assistants Gabby Cisneros, Vanessa Li, Kelly-Ann McAnuff, Deja Celestin, Rebecca Velez, Liam Mullen makeup Kento Utsubo makeup assistants Flora Kamimoto, Sarah Hart, Erika Geraldine Guzman, Konoha Okamoto second makeup artist Kaiya Karlin location Smashbox Studios