Jordan Braxton: Honoring trans joy, fighting for HIV justice, & cultivating strength with resilience

On this episode, Athena and Caroline have the pleasure of sitting down with Jordan Braxton as they explore Jordan’s extraordinary journey of self-discovery, activism, and community leadership. Jordan shares her life story beginning in Kansas City, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her identity as a proud trans woman and intersex individual.

Through vulnerability, laughter, and wisdom, Jordan speaks to the importance of embracing authenticity, surviving systemic challenges, and leading with heart and purpose across multiple generations of LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

Together, they delve into Jordan’s decades of work in HIV prevention, her leadership roles in St. Louis’s Pride organizations, and the founding of the historic Transgender Memorial Garden. Jordan also shares insights from her performance career as Dieta Pepsi, where art, joy, and activism intersect to uplift and fund vital community programs. The conversation expands into the ongoing fight for sexual health education, the crucial role of trans voices in legislation, and the powerful coalitions Jordan is building across Missouri to ensure HIV prevention, care, and trans rights remain at the forefront.

“Jordan Braxton has been an activist in the St. Louis LGBTQIA+ community for nearly 40 years, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, Intersex, and Trans Rights. She serves as Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach for Pride St. Louis, Vice President of St. Louis Black Pride and Transparent, and Chair of the City of St. Louis Mayor’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board. Jordan is also a Co-chair of the Minority AIDS Initiative Committee and a member of the Metro St. Louis HIV Health Services Planning Council. She currently works at Vivent Health as a Prevention Supervisor, overseeing Project Impact and Ending the Epidemic grants. Jordan is the Chair of the Transgender/Gender Diverse Workgroup for Missouri’s Comprehensive Planning Group. Beyond advocacy, she is beloved for her performance as Dieta Pepsi, through which she has raised funds for organizations like Doorways, Food Outreach, and Metro Trans Umbrella Group. Jordan is also the founder of the Transgender Memorial Garden—the first memorial garden dedicated to transgender people in the United States.”

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“Make it real to me” written by Athena Promachus, covered by Boy Bowser

The Trans Narrative was created, and produced by Caroline Penny, powered by Spotify for podcasters

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