The Jacques Initiative

Sylvia Rivera transformed her personal pain into a lifetime of revolution, proving that one person’s fierce determination can ignite a global movement. Forced onto the streets of New York City at just 11 years old, she refused to let a harsh world break her spirit. Instead, she claimed her identity, found her chosen family, and decided to fight back. 🌈

At just 17, Sylvia stood on the front lines of the 1969 Stonewall riots, throwing herself into the fire because she knew the status quo had to change. But her true brilliance lay in her deep empathy for the forgotten. Alongside her sister-in-arms, Marsha P. Johnson, she founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), funding a shelter out of her own pocket to feed, clothe, and protect homeless q***r youth.

Even when her own community tried to silence her and push trans women of color into the shadows, Sylvia refused to back down. She famously stormed the stage at the 1973 Pride rally, shouting, "Y'all better quiet down!" to demand justice for those locked in prisons and living on the streets.

Sylvia’s life is a masterclass in intersectional activism, raw courage, and radical love. She taught us that true liberation means leaving absolutely no one behind.

Honoring the legacy of Harvey Milk today and every day. 🏳️‍🌈
His courage reminded us that visibility matters, community matters, and hope will never be silent. Happy Harvey Milk Day. ✨

Honoring LGBTQ+ elders today and every day. Thank you for your courage, your resilience, and for creating space for future generations to live more openly and authentically. Your legacy matters. 🌈✨

Never be afraid to ask for help

🎙️Bringing Health to Salons with Sierra Cary-Brown & Rhonda Carr

In this episode of Going Viral: From Baltimore to the World, we sit down to discuss Tea Talks, a bold initiative from the Jacques Initiative that’s bringing sexual health education straight into beauty salons.

🔗Links in comments 🔗

Face your Fierce
Come out and enjoy a night of fellowship inspirational painting
Get your face beat
Win a raffle for a fresh new human unit
Get tested
And have dinner with Rhonda Carr
It's pride month so let's have some well needed fun

The Jacques Initiative joins Baltimore Safe Haven for National Transgender HIV Testing Day on Wednesday, April 15, showing up for our community with real resources and real talk. See you there!

📣 UPDATED FLYER — Please share the new version!
Your status is your power. 💙🩷🤍
On National Transgender HIV Testing Day, we're doing what we always do — showing up for our community with real resources, real panelists, and real talk.
Trans women deserve spaces where their health, their lives, and their stories are centered. Wednesday, April 15 is that space.
Join us for a trans woman-centered panel on HIV testing, owning your status, and thriving on your own terms — featuring Renee Lau, Arielle Stewart, JaNae Tyler, and Rhonda Carr. Four women showing up and speaking truth.
✨ Free HIV testing on-site
🍽️ Free food
💬 Real conversation. Real community.
📅 Wednesday, April 15
🕙 Doors open at 10:45 AM | 11AM–2PM
📍 814 N. Collington Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205
Come as you are. Tag someone who needs to be in that room. 👇
Presented by Baltimore Safe Haven, in partnership with Gilead Sciences.
🔗 baltimoresafehaven.org
"We Are Community. We Won't Be Erased."

It’s Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week! 💚🤍🖤
Held each year during the first full week after Valentine’s Day, this week celebrates people who experience little or no romantic attraction.
The aromantic spectrum is diverse — and so are the ways people love, connect, and build meaningful lives. Friendship, chosen family, community, and q***rplatonic relationships are just as valid and powerful as romance.
Let’s challenge the idea that romantic love is the “default” or ultimate goal. 💚🤍🖤