Faith woke up one morning with a single thought weighing heavy on her mind: “I don’t even know who I am.” For years, she internalized the resounding sentiment of those around her that it was not okay to be herself - until one day, she came to a crossroads wherein she could no longer bear to live as anybody else.

Now the owner of Wish Me Luck, Chicago’s very first Black, trans, queer-owned tattoo shop, Faith demonstrates the healing power of community spaces, especially for people who have historically been erased or made to feel uncomfortable by the status quo.

Faith’s story shows us that there is nothing quite so powerful as chasing one’s truth, wherever that may lead - and that it is not the job of Black people, of queer people, or of trans people to make themselves more palatable for others.

This episode mentions conversion therapy, weaponization of religion against marginalized groups, mistreatment of trans prisoners, and suicidal ideation.

This is Faith on freedom, self-discovery, and Wish Me Luck Tattoo.

SOCIAL

@americanflesh

@wishmelucktattoo

LINKS

Nickhole Arcade

Prisoner Correspondence Project - Find a trans penpal in prison

Dr Lori Kohler (San Francisco Public Health Network) - Healthcare professional dedicated to providing gender-affirming care to prisoners.

TGI Justice Project

Critical Resistance

Transgender Law Center (TLC)

Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SLRP)