Honoring Courage. Supporting Futures.
The Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate Program is dedicated to uplifting transgender and gender-diverse individuals whose work advances dignity, justice, and community care.
Named in honor of Queen Marie-Adélina’s late aunt, the program recognizes trans leaders, creatives, advocates, and visionaries whose contributions foster empowerment, visibility, and meaningful change—often in the face of systemic barriers.
2026 Transgender Laureate
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2026 Transgender Laureate 〰️
Congratulations to Naiymah Sanchez (Philadelphia, PA), our 2026 Transgender Laureate!
What the Program Supports
The Laureate Program provides support for initiatives that may include:
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Advocacy and community organizing
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Cultural, artistic, and educational projects
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Research, storytelling, and public education
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Mutual aid and community care efforts
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Leadership development and civic engagement
Support may take the form of financial awards, project funding, public recognition, and institutional support.
Who We Serve
The Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate Program centers:
Transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
Leaders working at the intersection of identity, justice, and community care.
Individuals whose work is grounded in lived experience and accountability.
Leadership is understood broadly, recognizing that impact is not limited to formal roles or institutions.
Our Values
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Trans lives are worthy of respect, safety, and celebration.
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The program recognizes the compounded barriers faced by trans people and prioritizes support that addresses systemic inequality.
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Recognition is offered with attention to consent, safety, and well-being.
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The program affirms that trans leadership is historic, ongoing, and essential.
Support Our Growth
We invite you to give a contribute today via our GoFundMe campaign or directly on our website. Every amount—big or small—makes a difference in making this program a continued success.
The work of justice is collective.
The Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate Program is a community-powered initiative sustained by individuals and partners who believe in the transformative power of trans storytelling, creativity, and leadership.
Each Trans Laureate receives a grant for the duration of their tenure, providing meaningful support for work that advances visibility, cultural engagement, and community care. At a time when transgender lives face ongoing legislative, social, and cultural challenges, the program serves as a space for recognition, continuity, and collective affirmation.
This work is shared work.
Support for the program helps to:
Fund inclusive public programs, workshops, and community gatherings
Support artistic creation, cultural expression, and educational initiatives
Ensure accessibility, visibility, and outreach across the trans and gender-diverse diaspora
Together, we are cultivating a living legacy—one in which trans brilliance is not only recognized, but resourced, protected, and sustained.
Thank you for standing with this work.
Sponsors
The Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate Program sincerely thanks our corporate sponsors and individual contributors for their support!
The Bernadine Casseus Transgnder Laureate program is made possible by a generous grant from the Trillium Health Foundation’s Pride Grant
Equalpride, the publisher of Out, The Advocate, and Pride.com, is a proud media sponsor of the Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate program.