Trans activist Elle Moxley sat down with Blavity to talk about why she was motivated to become a voice for trans advocacy.

Moxley, who describes herself as an artist, director, producer, human rights advocate and visionary, is the founder and Executive Director of Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Named after one of the first activists who fought back during the Stonewall Riot, the institute is an organization “committed to advocating for human rights for Black trans people.” One of its accolades is creating the first-ever National Day of Action for Black Trans Women to raise awareness around the murders of Black trans women, including Amber Monroe, Elisha Walker, Kandis Capri and others.

Moxley said to Blavity that her childhood led her to the path of activism.

“Growing up in my midwest city of Columbus Ohio, I was certainly met with a lot of disdain and resistance to who I was,” she said. “That sent me on a journey to really not only finding myself but finding ways I could be supported and I could make a living and I could do what it was that I love, which is giving back.”

She also said that knowing her voice was powerful opened her up to becoming an advocate.

“If I didn’t use my voice, and I didn’t use my God-given abilities, that I would have a very different outcome for my life, that I would be subjected to suffering if I didn’t take a stand,” she said. “It was my understanding that I wanted more and that I deserved more that led me to activism and led me to finding my voice and using my voice to advocate for what it is that I know I needed, which was more money, more access, more community and more love.”

You can watch the full interview on Blavity’s YouTube.