Ep 5: Lorrainne Sade Baskerville - Joy, Survival, Legacy
“I did not come out of the closet. I stepped out on the scene.”
Lorrainne Sade Baskerville is a Black trans woman who founded Chicago’s first trans-run, trans-serving social agency called transGenesis.
“I wanted to name my agency transGenesis. Genesis in the Bible means ‘a new beginning.’”
Between 1995-2003, Transgenesis offered a number of services for Chicago's transgender community, including street and community outreach, education, social support, counseling, and a HIV prevention program called T-PASS (Trans People Advocating Safer Sex).
During Lorrainne's time in Chicago, she served on the boards of the Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) and the Chicago Police Department’s 23rd District Gay and Lesbian Advisory Group.
Bringing transGenesis to life was Lorrainne’s dream, and its impact on Chicago’s trans community remains part of her legacy.
In this episode Lorrainne shares her story with Gerber/Hart, many years after donating her collection to our archive. Her incredible collection of awards, transGenesis ephemera, and artwork sparked the interest of many volunteers, including archivist Whit Sadusky and Gerber/Hart Programs and Social Media Coordinator Jennifer Dentel. Listen to them discuss the importance of outreach and diversity in archival collections.
“I want to be known around the world: yes, yes, yes.”
Want to learn more?
- Check out the finding aid for Lorrainne Sade Baskerville’s collection at Gerber/Hart
- Listen to volunteer Erin Bell discuss Lorrainne’s legacy on The 21st on NPR (from March 17, 2021)
- Read Lorrainne’s book, One Trans Woman’s Spiritual Journey (2013)