Trans Talk Tuesday serves up community and support

To most, tender and flavorful meat coupled with garden-fresh vegetables wrapped in a warm tortilla is just a taco.

For Arianna Martinez-Wicks, it’s not only one of her favorite foods but an opportunity to educate and build community for trans and non-binary individuals in Columbus.

Originally from Chicago, Martinez-Wicks moved to Columbus about five years ago. She noticed that Columbus, a smaller city in comparison, lacked the LGBTQ+ resources and sense of community available in Chicago.

This observation, combined with her love of tacos, inspired her to create a space where trans and non-binary individuals could come together, share experiences and find support: Trans Taco Tuesday.

In November 2023, she brought the idea to the Central Outreach Wellness Center, the LGBTQ+ health organization where she works as lead outreach coordinator and medical assistant, and received enthusiastic support.

The event initially brought 10 to 15 attendees to the wellness center. However, as attendance began to outgrow the space, Stonewall Columbus collaborated with Martinez-Wicks to provide a larger and more accessible location to regularly host the event.

Renamed Trans Talk Tuesdays – but still with tacos on hand – is now held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Stonewall Columbus from 7 to 9 p.m. Vegan and gluten-free options are available as well.

Since the move to the new venue, attendance has grown substantially, to 35 to 40 people per event.

“People were just coming from everywhere. I mean, they were coming all the way from Delaware, (Ohio,) all the way from Mansfield — people were just coming,” Martinez-Wicks said.

An opportunity to educate

In addition to providing a space for trans and non-binary individuals to find community, Martinez-Wicks has used the event as an opportunity to educate and discuss sexual health.

“I had to educate about sexual health, PrEP,and HIV prevention,” she explained. “It’s part of my job, and the funds I received from my company allowed me to host the event, but I also wanted to make sure that these important topics were addressed.”

The event aligns with Central Outreach’s newly launched “After Dark” program, which provides STI testing, PrEP and treatment at Stonewall Columbus every Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Martinez-Wicks explained that balancing her role as a medical professional and the organizer of a community event has been challenging. Wanting to keep the event focused on socializing and support, she worked to integrate discussions about health and safety into the mix, which not everyone was eager to hear.

“It’s difficult when you’re constantly bringing up things like HIV, STIs, and PrEP,” she admitted. “But I knew it was necessary. It was my responsibility to make sure everyone had access to the right information.”

Mentorship and building community

Martinez-Wicks also felt that her experience as a trans woman positioned her to be a critical mentor and support for younger trans individuals.

“I’m like a mother within the community,” she said. “I’ve been through transition myself for almost 15 to 20 years, so I know what it is to be trans. I know how hard it can be to get out of bed and things of that nature.”

For Martinez-Wicks, Trans Talks Tuesday is also about providing a safe space for trans and non-binary individuals to be visible and authentic in a world that hasn’t always welcomed them. Reflecting on her experiences, Martinez-Wicks shared how being trans has historically meant hiding or blending into the background out of fear for one’s safety.

“Years ago, you had to look the part and stay hidden,” Martinez-Wicks explained. “We were there, but we weren’t really seen or noticed. Over time, we’ve come to the forefront, and now we’re being seen and heard. But that visibility has come at a cost.”

Martinez-Wicks spoke about the devastating violence that has disproportionately impacted trans women of color. “I’ve lost so many sisters over the years to violence for simply being who they were,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking, and so many cases go unsolved. That’s why creating a safe space is so important to me.”

While the visibility of trans communities has increased, Martinez-Wicks noted that fear still prevents some from stepping into the spotlight. “Many of my brothers and sisters feel intimidated,” she said. “They’ve experienced so much pain and don’t want to be seen anymore. My hope is that this space helps them feel safe and supported enough to come out and connect.”

Reflecting on the success of gatherings, Martinez-Wicks is proud of how far the event has come.

“Trans Talk Tuesday is not just a safe space. It’s a family. We’re here to help each other, and we’re here to grow with one another. That is what Trans Talk Tuesday means to me, and I treat it as such,” Martinez-Wicks said.

IGNITE ACTION

Trans Talk Tuesdays is held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Stonewall Columbus (1160 N High St) from 7 to 9 p.m. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.