How this trans woman founded a new nation free of hate

As a Black trans woman, I know and embody the adversities transgender individuals face. Marginalization, discrimination, inequity, loss of human rights and dignity, and increasingly faced with our lives being cut too short and too soon. And yet, in these times of trans sorrows, we find ways to find trans joy. For some, it’s a night out with friends. For others, exercise and meditation. I chose to start my own country.

Micronations are dotted across the globe, though you may be unable to spot them on any map. Sometimes confused with microstates like Luxembourg, Monaco, and Vatican City, micronations claim to have all the functions of a sovereign nation. Still, they often lack recognition from the world’s governments or organizations. Molossia, Westarctica, Sealand, Ladonia, and others are just a few micronations in the world.

In 2017, anti-trans rhetoric was slowly on the rise. The Trump administration banned transgender individuals from serving in the military; state and local legislatures planned or passed laws that limited transgender people from using the bathroom they identified with; and transphobic crimes and deaths were the highest recorded then. Founded on September 13, 2017, and with a small group of friends, the Grand Principality of the Navasse came to fruition. Wholly inspired by the former Kingdom of Haiti — my family’s native country — the micronation was founded on escapism, in part, from the world around us. We enshrined in our constitution equal rights to all, “regardless of race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, or creeds.” We also guaranteed The Crown would not engage with businesses or groups that have expressed or supported racist, homophobic, or transphobic rhetoric or entities. But we also wanted to do something more.

Over the years, we’ve maintained a mission to create, advocate and support initiatives that foster inclusivity, acceptance, and support for LGBTQ+ and other historically marginalized communities. And what started as a royal hobby has evolved into a part-time job. A year after our founding, I helped launch Flower City Queens, a drag calendar raising funds for local LGBTQ+ initiatives. Pooling talent from our region, we’ve featured the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Mrs. Kasha Davis and Darienne Lake, along with our other fantastic regional drag artists. Our latest edition, The New Look, featured BIPOC artists from Western New York. In 2022, we launched Crown Sirène Coffee. Sourced sustainably from Haitian coffee farmers in the northern, mountainous region, we produce three roasts plus an espresso blend. The best part? Giving back to the community: from a shelter for LGBTQ+ homeless youth in Rochester, NY, to the leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group in Haiti.

Is it tiresome? Yes. Frustrating at times? Certainly. But does it bring this trans woman joy? Absolutely. This nation of mine has taught me many things, most notably about combating adversities set before me.

Fear has become an increasing part of my life. The fear of being ridiculed. The fear of losing everything I had worked so hard for. The fear of being harassed in public places. The fear of being assaulted in private spaces. Fear limits us. It discourages us. It blinds us from walking down our path of life and deafens us from understanding the lives of others. As Grand Princess, I’ve learned that fear is the greatest enemy of living authentically. And I refuse to let fear take hold of my destiny.

On this Transgender Day of Visibility, now more than ever, we need to share and amplify trans joy as much as we share trans sorrows. In a time of increasing hatred, marginalization, and violence, we must use our collective voice to fight against the volumes of hate.

But iot shouldn’t take me or others to create a micronation to find such acceptance.

In a country that praises itself as the land where anyone with a dream and determination can make it, transgender individuals should be able to maintain and enjoy peace, prosperity, and the pursuit of our happiness.

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate and self-proclaimed Grand Princess of the Navasse. Learn more at navasseprinciere.org.

Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ and Allied community. Visit pride.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.