Taking it to the streets with the three "T"s: Tough, Tenacious, and Transgender by Cristan Williams

"... [T]here are two ways to meet life; you may refuse to care until indifference becomes habit, a defensive armor and you are safe–but bored–or you can care greatly, and live greatly–till life breaks you on its wheel." –Dorothy Canfield Fisher

I met Brenda a year ago and she intimi-dated me. Brenda Thomas shoots from the hip. Her entire demeanor suggests seniority. She has been there, bought the T-shirt, worn it, thrown it away, and already bought a new one.

The fact is that she has paid her dues. In September of 1996 she become extremely ill. "Jane got Mary and came straight to my house, got here about the same time my wife did, took one look at me, scooped me up in the blanket I was lying on, and carried me to Park Plaza Hospital.... Had I not got there that night I probably would have died during the night. I owe my life to those three people." She was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS.

Since that time she has been heavily involved with HIV/AIDS organizations. Currently she is co-chair-elect for the Houston HIV Prevention and Planning Group, active with the AIDS Walk, works with the Houston Consortium, which distributes funds for the Ryan White Foundation, and is employed by the Houston Health Department’s HIV/AIDS outreach program in which she specializes in targeted outreach to the transgender community.

Brenda knows what it is to face discrimination. Brenda lost her family when her first wife found out that her husband was transgendered. "After she found out, she packed up my kids and moved to Florida. I have not heard from them since." Speaking at an educational seminar recently, she said, "When I go somewhere, they know what I am. I have to just deal with it." If she comes across as tough or gruff, it is because she has had to be.

Through all of it, she has survived, grown, and, perhaps most importantly, given back to the community. Currently married and, she has celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary. Brenda has been known to say that she has the best job in the world: "I have a chance to work in a position for an entity that allows me to work diligently, furthering the two things that are most dear to my heart, transgender issues and HIV, especially together."

Brenda Thomas is a dedicated leader within the transgender community. She created and has facilitated Helping Trans-Genders Anonymous, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in February. "God, I love this community. There are so many great people here–and there is the possibility that there are also some great people out there who are not aware of the possibilities that exist within this community. If we can reach them and bring them into our community we can get stronger. I hate it when I see a young person working the streets to stay alive. I want to make a difference for those that come behind us, I want it to be easier for them. I just want to be remembered as someone who cared ... someone who made a difference."