A black trans woman is now heading up one of the most prominent LGBT offices in the pride-filled City of Philadelphia. Celena Morrison has just been named the Executive Director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, kicking of her position on March 2nd (per The Philadelphia Gay News).
Morrison is hardly a stranger to Philadelphia’s LGBT missions and initiatives. Morrison comes directly from William Way LGBT Community Center, as a leading voice to open the the Arcila-Adams Trans Resource Center, among other initiatives, in her position as Director of Programs. She has also been on the Philadelphia Commission of Human Relations (PCHR) (since 2018) and is a support specialist for Mazzoni Center’s Pediatric and Adolescent Comprehensive Transgender Services program (PACTS). In her new role, Morrison is going to be leading the Office of LGBT Affairs’ policy work and community engagement, as well as advising the Mayor’s Office and Philadelphia City government on the ongoing needs of LGBTQ+ people. Finally, she will be continuing the education of the city workforce on queer competency.
In his statement to the PGN, Mayor Jim Kenney said “At a time when trans women — particularly trans women of color — are facing an epidemic of violence across this country, I am proud to have a leader like Celena at the helm. Her vast experience in program development and service delivery, paired with her lived experience, will help inform a smart, strategic approach to our work that elevates the most marginalized individuals with the LGBTQ+ community.”
Source: Philadelphia Gay News