It’s almost KAI DAY! Join us and Invisible Histories to share your stories and memories for a memorial archive. On this first birthday without Kai, we will celebrate her life, legacy, and light that continues to shine through her loved ones & friends every day. #blacktranslives

We're thrilled to about this new season at Alabama Shakespeare Festival as they debut KUDZU CALLING — a powerful new work by acclaimed queer playwright Donnetta Lavinia Grays — opening May 30! #blackqueerart

To our Black Queer Visionaries Summit applicants: the ACLU of Alabama and The Knights and Orchids Society are taking some time to tend our garden.

It is with profound sadness that The Knights and Orchids Society (TKO) announces the tragic loss of our cherished staff member, Kaitoria "Kai" Bankz, who was taken far too soon in a senseless act of violence.

“UNIQUE! That’s what you are.” This lyric plays in the mind of Kaitoria Bankz when she needs a little dose of motivation. Luckily for her, though, self-love and the desire to encourage love among others is usually all the motivation she needs.

Today, on National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities in the fight against HIV. Ending the epidemic means uplifting all voices, honoring culture, and ensuring equitable access to care. 💛🖤❤️

It’s live! We are pleased to be featured in NFG’s Integrated Rural Strategies Group’s new report, “Roots Revealed: Spotlighting rural grassroots models of work that are critical to a multiracial democratic future.”

We are so excited to announce our first speaker: Joshua Baker, LMSW, Youth Program Coordinator with @tkoalabama.bsky.social! The Knights & Orchids Society builds the power of TQBLG+ Black people across the South by providing a spectrum of health and wellness services. Link in our bio to register!

Thanks to our guest speaker Jabari Harris, and all who came out to TKO’s launch of G.E.N.T.S. this past Sunday! We’re excited to see the journey of this men’s group designed for creating connections, networking, peer support, social gatherings and much more. #lgbtqia

On this last day of Black History Month, TKO is celebrating our own place in Black trans and queer history. Thanks for your support that has helped us grow over the last 13 years!

“We are on the front lines, responding to crises in real time while also working to dismantle the systemic barriers that create those crises.” TC Caldwell (they/them) Executive Director of TKO Society www.yesmagazine.org/social-justi...

COMING SOON… DIVA 2 DIVA was created to dismantle harmful stigmas and stereotypes against femme presenting and transfeminine individuals through storytelling, centering healthy living, and giving back to the community.

“Folks think we’re strange but they’ll catch up.” | Sylvester James, 1947-1988 🪩 Before RuPaul, before Big Freedia — Sylvester was serving gender-expansive disco greatness. His fearless self-expression helped lay the blueprint for liberation in music for non-binary artists. 🪩 #BlackIsTheBlueprint

TKO LIFELINE: SUSTAINING CARE, EMPOWERING COMMUNITY As systemic actions continue to threaten our funding, we are reminded of the collective work & responsibility that leads us through the work every day. When we see each other as each other’s, it is easy to stand in the gap where systems fail us.

Thanks to TU Safe Space at Tuskegee University for a wonderful experience at their #nationalblackhivaidsawarenessday event, where 12 students received free testing. We are learning from these powerful young people and empowering our communities with resources to live their full lives!

“Your humanity is important. Your existence is important. And more than that, you deserve to damn be here.” TKO Executive Director TC Caldwell

Attacks against diversity and equity won't stop us from celebrating our history! And this Black History Month, we are celebrating Black queer visionaries who shaped our history and culture.

So proud to be in community with ACLU of Alabama to make this happen! “It’s Black History Month– and we’re so excited to kick it off with the launch of our 2025 Black Queer Visionaries Summit (BQVS) in partnership with the Knights and Orchids Society!”

This year we will be celebrating National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with Tuskegee University’s TU Safe Space crew. TKO will provide free testing onsite.

No matter what is happening in this world, @tkoalabama.bsky.social is still out here working 🏳️‍⚧️. Check out some highlights from our January newsletter: www.tkosociety.org/monthly-news... #lgbtqia #transled

We were so honored to start the year in a collage building workshop with TU Safe Space at Tuskegee University. We shared information about sexual health, testing opportunities, and distributed free condoms. We look forward to collaborating more with Dr. Mungin and the incredible TU Safe Space crew!

This past Friday, we joined forces with the amazing team @yellowfund.bsky.social to host a packing party—and wow, was it a success! Together with their incredible volunteers, we packed over 1,600 bags filled with condoms, pregnancy tests, and essential self-care items

As we step into this new space, we carry with us a spirit of resilience and determination to continue our work. Together, we believe in the power of community to foster change even in times like these.