Tree of Life hosts screening of documentary ‘Major!’
Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry is hosting a screening of the documentary film, “Major!” which explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated Black transgender elder and activist who has been fighting for the rights of trans women of color for over 40 years.
It will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the church, 5603 W. Bull Valley Road in McHenry. The film is co-sponsored by Tree of Life, McHenry County NOW, and McHenry County Citizens for Choice.
Admission is free and open to the public. Freewill donations will be taken to support the work of the Transformative Justice Law Project which provides free legal services for trans and gender-nonconforming people.
Born in Chicago in 1946, she is a veteran of the Stonewall Rebellion and a survivor of Attica State Prison, a former sex worker, an elder, and a community leader and human rights activist. She is simply “Mama” to many in her community. Her personal story and activism for transgender civil rights intersects struggles for justice and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people (LGBTQ+) from the 1960s to today.
At the center of her activism is her fierce advocacy for her girls, trans women of color who have survived police brutality and incarceration in men’s jails and prisons.
“Major!” was an official selection at over 60 film festivals around the world and garnered 20 awards for best documentary. Miss Major’s story offers a road map for social justice movements lead by and for transgender women of color, and a unique opportunity to learn from living elders.
Light refreshments will be provided, and an open discussion will follow the movie.
“’Major!’ is both a challenging and inspirational film and it is particularly relevant at this moment in time when so many of the rights that Miss Major fought so hard for are being rolled back,” said Chaplain Dave Becker, pastor at Tree of Life. “Hosting this film is part of our faith’s larger commitment to honoring the inherent worthiness and dignity of all people which includes our trans and gender-nonconforming siblings.”
This program was organized by the Tree of Life’s Welcoming Congregation Team, members of the congregation who help lead the church community’s commitment to welcome, inclusion, and belonging of the LGBTQ+ community with the congregation.
Tree of Life has been engaged in the national Unitarian Universalist Association’s Welcoming Congregation Project since 2004. For more information, visit treeoflifeuu.org/major-documentary-screening/ or the Facebook event page. For questions, email office@treeoflifeuu.org, or call (815) 322-2464.