TJ's Story

In this episode, 27-year-old photographer TJ speaks to what it means to identify first and foremost in life as a human being and her path to coming out within her Hmong family.  She speaks also of her school years and the impact of having a trans friend end their life and how that pushes her today to do more to provide platforms that honor LGBTQ+ stories and experiences.

What is Joy of Being?

Stories from trans teens and adults about where and how they find their joy in just being... The world we are living in is filled with much unrest as we contend with the hardships that are upon those most vulnerable in our communities. We are in a period of reconnection to our humanity and interdependence on each other that is generative of the glory in who we are despite what may be said against us. To know that our joy cannot be taken and is abundant are radical forms of resistance that converge with the celebrations we throw for ourselves, and every act of that is an ode to our being.

--Kristy Moua / Joy of Being Coordinator

In Progress artist TJ Lor is currently leading a team of artists to honor the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals through digital art making. In Progress has been working with artists throughout its history to raise the visibility of misaligned and negatively stereotyped communities, and in 2025, Joy of Being stands as a powerful model for this work.

Over the next several months, artists will collaborate to create photographs, videos, podcasts and more, with a formal exhibit scheduled for November 2025.

Please check out the first of this work by listening to a few of the stories recently produced by the team, and facilitated by artist Xee Reiter. We will continue to add stories as we go.