Artist, activist, and educator Merrique Jenson and I had a lively conversation about Trans Day of Remembrance, race, equity, social justice work, gatekeeping, and making changes in our community. Merrique is the Program Director for Transformations, a youth organization for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming teens and adolescents. Merrique has led the organization to refocus it's efforts specifically on youth that are brown and black that have faced systemic racism and poverty much more than their white counterparts, who often have family support and access to resources. Merrique was also diligent in ensuring our conversation was not just about the trauma of the trans experience, as TDOR often is centered around, but that we talked about how the dolls are thriving! We discussed sex work, paying for surgeries, living authentically, and the challenges of dating and relationships as a trans woman.