Introducing 2020 TJFP Community Grantmaking Fellow, Isyss Honnen!
Isyss Honnen, 2020 TJFP Grantmaking Fellow (Photo by Mel Ponder)
TJFP is so excited to introduce the first of our six Community Grantmaking Fellows, Isyss Honnen!
Isyss Agaiotupu Honnen is an unapologetic fa’afafine and trans woman from Amerika Samoa. She is a fa’afafineist, descendant of celestial navigators, cat mama, and lover of all things Pasifika. Isyss works as the Director of TRANSform Washington, a program of Pride Foundation using public education, community organizing, and political advocacy to shift culture to keep trans communities safe by changing norms, hearts, and minds one story at a time. She is the Co-Chair for her political home, UTOPIA Seattle – United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance, a fa’afafine and trans womxn of color-led organization in Washington that serves the QTPI – Queer and Trans Pacific Islander – Community, and has been on the Board since 2012. She Co-Chairs for the first ever Washington State LGBTQ Commission and is honored to serve alongside Co-Chair and community icon, Marsha Botzer, and a truly brilliant group of Commissioners eager to put in the heart work. She is also the co-founder and core team member of the Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network in Washington which provides low to no-barrier funds to cover the basic needs of Two-Spirit, Black and brown trans women and femmes.
She uses her lived experience to fight like hell for trans and gender diverse sex workers in Washington affected by lack of access to healthcare, education, employment, housing, and more. Seeing trans people in love, starting families, and traveling the world brings her joy.
What absolute brilliance you are Isyss–we’re looking forward to building with you!
