Today we’d like to introduce you to Naya Marie Velazco.
Hi Naya, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Miss Naya Marie Velazco (she/her) and am a 35-year-old Transgender Xicana woman residing in San Diego, California. My journey in social services began in 2017 when I made the life-changing decision to ask for help while experiencing a crisis!
Trans women of color experience various forms of transphobia, I always state that the first form of trauma we experience is a sex designation on our birth certificates that is not in alignment with our gender identity!
Additionally, many trans folk experience family rejection and are socially displaced. A majority of transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people are also faced with housing insecurity and are often sexually exploited because of all these vulnerable variables.
As a highly marginalized community, we are still very much fighting for access to basic human rights! We lack protection and are treated as others. Marginalized groups have higher attempted suicide rates, experience acts of violence against their lives, and navigate the world with higher levels of anxiety and depression,
Navigating social services and accessing program resources saved my life, it’s important that funding sources are allocated and directed to helping aid transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and intersex people! We need safe and secure housing assistance and employment task forces that prioritize hiring the gender-expansive community and focus on educating employers on how to be gender-affirming and inclusive! The city of San Diego still has so much to do when it comes to funding agencies that are trans-led and serving, we need direct funding for life-saving services and referrals.
Presently serve as the Director of Programs of the Transgender Health and Wellness Center which provides gender-affirming care by providing permanent hair removal services, we are so fortunate to help community members prepare for gender confirmation surgery! We also provide direct support services that help improve the quality of people’s lives with free behavioral health services, social groups, and events that are safe spaces free of discrimination and violence! We have a wonderful network of medical providers, legal advocates, housing specialists, and employers that help improve the lives of our patients!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a visibly transgender woman comes with various challenges, we experience macro and microaggressions everywhere we go! Transphobia shows up in various ways and we have such a high threshold for violence and discrimination that it’s an everyday occurrence. Many of these challenges and obstacles include being denied access to gender-affirming surgeries and healthcare that can save our lives and improve our mental health!
We face sexual harassment in our places of work because people are more concerned with our genitals than our work ethic. Along with our bodies being policed, we are also targeted for being misgendered and treated very differently because of our gender expression and/or identity. Having helped thousands of people access services in my career, we very much share the same experiences! Our livelihood and safety are always on a tipping scale, one pivotal moment can take us out. By that, I mean being murdered, harassed, losing employment, and being denied safe housing.
Transphobia is a constant variable always working against us, trans women of color are at higher risk of these challenges and we need to make a change!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am in the business of changing lives and making a difference! My proudest career moment is working for a trans-founded, led, operating, and serving agency! The Transgender Health and Wellness Center is taking over the southern region of California, and couldn’t be prouder to serve as a Director of Programs and make sure every service listed on our webpage is providing optimal functionality.
Representation matters in places of employment and working with a majority of trans and nonbinary people, and my direct reports being trans women gives you a sense of dignity and pride! Another proud moment is recruiting over 32 trans volunteers for our San Diego office! These valuable volunteers will tap into their natural gifts and talents to help sustain our health and wellness center’s vision: A safe, prosperous, and healthy community for Transgender diverse individuals and their allies in Southern California!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a wonderful reminder that we ourselves are the gift and that the universe will always support us when we follow our life’s path.
The 25 Biblical Laws of Success, is a wonderful blueprint for folks who are spiritually led and public servants.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trans.health/donate/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transhealthandwellnesscenter/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/transhawc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpePjxtqTkL0PG0I0ZooEuA
