This undocumented transgender woman refuses to back down.
Every day during the month of June, we will be spotlighting our 2018 Logo30. The powerful series profiles ordinary and extraordinary people who show pride in unique and provocative ways. Visit the Logo30 homepage to learn more about the series.
Joselyn Mendoza’s story is one of fierce resilience and bravery. An undocumented transgender woman, Mendoza moved to New York City from her native Cuautla, Mexico, to reunite with her family and fully express her gender identity. But when she was fired in the workplace for being trans, her life direction took a turn.
“As an undocumented person,” Mendoza tells NewNowNext, “I knew I would be discriminated against more and more.” Refusing to feel defeated, Mendoza joined Make the Road New York and dedicated herself to improving immigrant and LGBT rights for women like herself.
Mendoza remains hopeful in her work, even amid the hostile Trump administration. “People are being more motivated now to fight and join the resistance,” she says. “It’s bringing the immigrant and U.S. citizen communities together to fight discrimination.”
Watch Logo’s full interview with Mendoza below.