Trans Affinity Group Spotlight
Photo of Transposition by HNTRGraphy (www.hntrphoto.com)
Name: Jaylee Nelson, she/her
Other affinity group members: Jess Higginbotham, they/them; Elena Bingham, they/them
Affinity Group: Trans Affinity Group
When was your group created?
Formed in Jan 2024
What does your group do for CWC?
Provides a social space for trans members of CWC to meet and get to know each other, and take care of each other. Our group is both a social group, and an organizing / activist group, allowing TAG leadership to take feedback to the CWC board and advocate for trans voices in CWC.
What do you do for your group & what do you enjoy about it?
Group responsibility is shared pretty equally and informally among TAG leadership. We work together to organize socials and collect member feedback, and present findings to the CWC board. I have found it very helpful to have a structured way to take care of our transgender members when there is pain in our community, and to have the support of CWC leadership when feedback has been given. And it has brought me so much joy to see other trans people have a space to share their joys and spend time with other trans folks.
What is your vision for the future of your group? Any current goals/initiatives?
We hope to continue to advocate for vocal health across the choir, but especially when it comes to health of lower voices. It has been very encouraging seeing artistic leadership provide accommodation for members to sing up or down an octave in given sections of music, and to be proactive in encouraging members to assess their vocal health. Long term goals for TAG are to continue to encourage CWC members to be mindful of honoring pronoun usage, encouraging more inclusive language, and partnering with other affinity groups such as the Neurodivergent Affinity Group to combine our efforts and find ways the needs and strengths of our communities overlap.
Any favorite projects, initiatives, or events related to your group that you'd like to talk about?
We're a little young and haven't had a lot of major events, but look forward to organizing social singing evenings and similar events in the near future! And though it is tangential, Transposition formed largely from members of TAG who wanted to organize a more inclusive SATB, trans-specific ensemble in the Durham area. Though a separate entity from TAG and CWC, Transposition would not have come together without the organizing work of TAG within CWC.