We had the good fortune of connecting with Mallery Robinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mallery, how do you think about risk?
I feel that risk taking is a necessary part of my life. In 2006 when I was 16 I began my gender journey from George to Mallery, and I never looked back. Throughout the past 14 years of my gender journey, I completed high school as Most Friendly in 2008 and graduated with an Advanced Diploma part of the Top 10% of my graduating class. I changed my name legally in 2009, I started Hormone Replacement Therapy in 2011 after being diagnose with HIV the same month. I had breast augmentation in 2012 and Vaginoplasty in 2016. I graduated with a Double Bachelors in Biology and History in 2014. I was married in 2017 and divorced in 2020 to a cisgender man. I moved to California in 2019 from my Hometown of Montgomery AL, and started working at the center in 2019. I am sharing all of this to show each and everyone of you that taking risks is what have led me living a fulfilled life. I have travelled, explored tried new foods, and much more because I knew there was more to life than what society had placed on me. I was determined to never give up on myself even when there were times I wanted to it was my tenacity and sheer will to live the best life possible while standing in my truth, my ability to take risks with coming out at 16 in Montgomery AL during the Bush administration that I was transgender. My high-school classmates even got me a date to senior prom, and I really impacted lives for the better and sharing my truth in hopes that inspire others to take risks, and never give up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name is Mallery Jenna Robinson, I am the Engagement Specialist and Service Navigator for the Transgender Health Program at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach. I have been in this position a year and love every bit of it. I moved from my hometown of Montgomery, AL and the job which has become my career fell into place within a month of moving here. The program has grown a lot since me taking the position, there wasn’t really much of a transgender program in place. S0, I went throughout the community and really learned what my clients wanted and needed from myself and the center. For example, clothing, personal products, food, housing, transportation along with sexual health services and just entertainment events that are for the transgender and non-binary community by us. So within the past year, I have implemented several programs such as Rack and Roll ( a clothing closet), Snack Shack (food pantry) TRANSport (a postmates type of service where we deliver items throughout the community) Essentially Yours ( program that gives a $25.00 gift card to trans and non-binary people for essential items). We have had several successful events put on at the center and virtually, such as Come OUT and Pose, ValenTrans Day and the National Trangender HIV Testing Day Panel. We also have several virtual support groups such as: Transverse on Tuesdays 7:00-8:45pm and Gender Expansive on Thursdays 7:00-8:45p.m. We also provide incentives for transgender and non-binary people of color between the ages of 18-29 who come in and get HIV tested and STI screened as well as enroll in PrEP. The lessons I have learned along the way is to always be your own voice and stay true and genuine to who you are and those around you, it is so easy to want to please everyone, but if it isn’t from a place of sincerity then you aren’t being your most authentic self which is enough for those who are meant to be in your life. The way I overcame my challenges was through tenacity and determination to be the best version of myself I could be as well as knowing that I would make this program the very best I could do within my power. I think for me I want the world to know that anything is possible, a small town black transgender woman like myself moved to Los Angeles California not sure where my life will take me and in the process of discovering myself I discovered I love working with my community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1. West Hollywood strip such as Trunks for dancing and The Abbey and Chapel 2. Santa Monica for the amazing piers and beaches. 3. Venice Beach for the amazing beaches and shops 4. The canyons for hiking and nature walk. 5. Long Beach for the aquarium and amazing shops and beaches as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach

Website: Snapchat Ms-mallybaby
Instagram: @MalleryJenna90
Facebook: Mallery Jenna Robinson
Youtube: Mallery Jenna Robinson

Image Credits
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach

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