Inside the Trans-Led ‘Kingdom’ Naming the World’s First Transgender Laureate
The Kingdom of Navassa, a micronation born from protest, has named activist and Out100 alum Naiymah Sanchez as the inaugural Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (November 19, 2025): The Kingdom of Navassa (Navassa), a queer- and trans-led micronation founded in 2017, has appointed Naiymah Sanchez, a community activist, as the world's first Transgender Laureate. Officially titled the Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate, the laureateship honors transgender individuals whose life's work uplifts trans visibility, advances social equity, and centers collective healing through storytelling and service.
"In a world intent on silencing us, I have built a nation that speaks," said Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière, founder and 'Queen' of Navassa. "Appointing the world's first transgender laureate is not just symbolic. It's a formidable declaration to remind the world that trans people are not problems to be solved. We are poets, healers, and leaders shaping our collective future.
A Kingdom Born from Resistance
Founded in 2017 amid an alarming rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation during U.S. President Donald Trump's first administration, the Kingdom of Navassa began as a cultural experiment: What if a nation could be built around inclusion rather than exclusion?
Though not recognized by traditional governments, Navassa functions as a micronation: a self-proclaimed, small-scale nation that declares independence or sovereignty but isn't officially recognized by established governments or international bodies. Though Marie-Adélina laid claim to the uninhabited Navassa Island, located between Haiti and Jamaica and also claimed by the United States, Navassa is a "nation of purpose" built not on borders but on ideas, using the language of sovereignty to assert humanity and global belonging. Its ministries and programs center on relationship-building and public service, reframing monarchy as a vessel for creative justice rather than power.
Named after de la Ferrière's late aunt, Bernadine Casseus, the laureate program is one of several launched since Navassa’s founding. Flower City Queens is a drag calendar fundraiser featuring some of Western New York’s drag artists, including RuPaul's Drag Race alums Darienne Lake and Mrs. Kasha Davis. It also launched a private label coffee brand, Crown Sirène Coffee, sourced sustainably from Haiti.
Through symbolic nation-building, Navassa imagines a world where queer and trans people are not merely tolerated but celebrated. Where citizenship (officially, "Her Majesty's Most Loyal Subjects") is defined by empathy, and leadership by love. "Navassa was founded during a dark time in America, when trans rights were under relentless attack," said de la Ferrière. "This kingdom is our answer to that hatred.
A Laureate for a New World
Sanchez, based in Philadelphia, has spent over a decade advocating for the rights of incarcerated and unhoused LGBTQ+ people through her work with organizations including the ACLU of Pennsylvania and GALAEI. As a speaker, educator, and organizer, she has become one of the most visible voices for trans liberation in the Northeast. In 2023, she was named one of Out magazine's Out100 honorees, a prestigious list of LGBTQ+ gamechangers and changemakers.
"Both opportunities are a reminder to me that my voice is being heard and my visibility is necessary, as we continue the essential work of liberating our people," Sanchez said in an exclusive with Out.com. "It's an honor to know my community trusts my leadership, and accepting [the Laureateship] is my commitment to moving us forward."
In her role, Sanchez will serve as a cultural ambassador at various local and regional events beginning January 1st, 2026, and will work with de la Ferrière to raise awareness of the program. She will also receive a $5,000 grant, made possible by generous supporters of the initiative, and will help fundraise to continue the program through their Transgender Laureate Fund.
A Vision Beyond Borders
While Navassa's physical borders may be symbolic, its message is anything but. Through the creation of the world's first transgender laureateship, Navassa redefines what it means to govern: to lead not by force, but by compassion; to elevate those historically left behind; to model a world where trans lives are sacred, not politicized.
As Navassa's founding motto declares: "Wisdom is our strength." And this small group of people is proving that wisdom, courage, and collective passion can stir tide-worthy change.
The Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate is made possible by a generous grant from the Trillium Health Foundation's Pride Grant and equalpride, the publisher of Out and The Advocate, as official media sponsor. Additional support is made possible by friends of Navassa.
About the Kingdom of Navassa
Founded in 2017 and incorporated under La Couronne Royale de la Navasse, Inc., the Kingdom of Navassa is a queer-led micronation headquartered in Rochester, NY, rooted in Afro-Caribbean heritage, trans leadership, and creative community activism.
Guided by its royal mission to uplift marginalized voices and build bold footholds for justice, art and diaspora in the 21st century, Navassa invests in real-world initiatives such as Crown Sirène Coffee, the Flower City Queens drag calendar and the world’s first Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate Program.
Established in 2025, the Bernadine Casseus Transgender Laureate is the world’s first laureateship honoring transgender excellence. The program recognizes individuals whose lives and work advance trans equity, storytelling, and community empowerment.
