
Journey with Nala
Grief, Glitter, and God: The Sermon That Needed to Be Preached by Minister-in-Training Nala Toussaint
What if grief became glitter, and God met you in the very place they tried to bury you? In this soul-stirring reflection, Minister-in-Training Nala Toussaint introduces Black Femme Queen Theology—a sacred, liberating framework rooted in Ballroom, born from rejection, and risen in glory. This is more than a sermon recap. It’s an altar. A testimony. A love letter to those who’ve been told they don’t belong in faith spaces. And a bold declaration: we are not broken—we are the blueprint.
Voices of Unity
Each day, we speak to the God of our understanding through rituals, prayer, tradition, and breath. In a world shaped by diverse observances—Ramadan, Easter, Akwasidae, Ridván, and beyond—I reflect on how our sacred practices often call us toward mercy, justice, and love. Yet, I still sit with hard questions: How can such divine love coexist with rejection and suffering? This reflection holds my commitment—to honor my ancestors, seek healing, and stand with BIPOC Trans and Queer people cast out for simply existing.
Acknowledgment from U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor
I am honored to be featured in the U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labor series of Human Rights Stories #HumansforHumanRIghts and how my story relates to #HRR2020's Section 6 on discrimination.
Trans Day of Visibility Means...
March 31 is known as International Transgender Day of Visibility. An annual day of events occurring that is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.
Traumatized and Colonized: Reflections on Crowdfunding, Mutual Aid, and Trauma As Currency in Social Justice Spaces
We need to talk about our community’s relationship to “trauma porn.” Too often, Black Trans and Queer people are expected to expose their deepest wounds just to be believed or supported. In this blog, I challenge the harmful demand for graphic suffering as proof and call for a shift toward care, trust, and sustained action without spectacle.
A love offering to my Trans Sistahs
At times it may feel like experiencing the goodness of the world is far away. It can even be a journey filled with unbearable pain and trauma mixed with the authentic radical joy of self-expression and identity. I want you to know, I see you, I love you, and I honor you. Remember: You are enough! You are worthy! You are perfectly made and have been graced with the journey of evolving just like any other human. You are a spiritual divine being having a human experience.
"I am Courageously and Creatively Desperate for a Culture Shift"
During this Womyn Herstory Month, I virtually gathered with my church family to celebrate Black Womyn's Courage, Culture & Creativity. Two weeks ago, Reverend Tana gave a sermon called" Women Whatcu doing," followed by last week's powerful sermon delivered by Reverend Kim Wylie called "A Call to Persistence." Guess who was asked to preach next.
The Power of Rest
For a young, black trans woman from Brooklyn, rest does not always mean restoration. As an activist, speaker, educator, and spiritual mother of community - there have been many too-busy days and countless sleepless nights, advocating for and emotionally nurturing the youth that I serve. During this month-long celebration of my solar return, I have navigated the waters of the current global shift with the peace and gratitude I feel about my own Becoming. Rest is my gift to myself, for surviving. Rest is my joyful surrender and celebration of 30. Restoration is the result of this celebration.
Meeting with Lama Gyaltsen Tamang
Time with a monk is not something to take lightly. On day 4 of being in Maui, I had the privilege of sitting with a Master. What kind of Master, you ask? The kind of master that can hold space for his spiritual students while in the lotus position for hours, without so much as a twitch, a stretch, or a drink of water. The kind of master that can deliver the message I traveled all the way from New Jersey to receive, with the stillness and grace of a grasshopper.
Grace & Sensuality, F*ck Fatphobia
Healing is a lifetime journey. Waking up in Hawaii after celebrating my Solar Return, I spent the day in quiet reflection, processing all of the calls, texts, messages I received as I laughed, danced, and smiled my way into 30. Processing is the necessary step before the release, and I am glad I followed the proper divine steps.
Solar Return
Here I share about my transition into my 30’s. My birthday was spent in the spirit of self-love, tenderness, and celebration. I set my intentions and leaned into trust. I manifested my dream of fully feeling the power and vibrancy of ME.
The Power of Manifestation
In the midst of a global pandemic and racial uprisings, I said yes to something radical—rest. This blog is a testimony to the power of manifestation, the sacredness of pausing, and what it means to choose healing over hustle as a Black trans femme organizer during a world on fire.