Age: 39
Hometown: Rochester
Current residence: Rochester
Occupation: Writer and editor
What does it mean to live authentically? For Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière, it means to be unafraid.
“I’m not fearful of living my life,” she said, describing herself as “reserved but amicable with funny, but very auntie energy.” Within moments of being in her presence, a sense of safety is quickly established; a feeling of being gifted permission to be one’s true self.
As a first-generation Haitian-American trans woman, de la Ferrière not only lives authentically every day — she inspires and advocates for others to live their own authenticity through the power of the arts, or what she describes as “a creative force for change.”
This change comes in different forms, but began in 2018, when de la Ferrière founded Flower City Queens, a calendrical celebration of drag culture in Rochester. It features queens in spaces throughout the city through stunning photographs that show individuals as their truest, most authentic selves. Flower City Queens is, at its core, a love letter to the Rochester drag community.
“Rochester, to me, is a place of hope,” said de la Ferrière. She has found hope from professors at Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport, from her queer elders who frequent Bachelor Forum and from the sisterhood she has curated with her many trans “siblings” and beloved queens.
Her professional career has centered around the arts, in roles at the Memorial Art Gallery and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, de la Ferrière is the community editor at equalpride, the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ media company, which publishes internationally-acclaimed brands including “Out” and “The Advocate” magazines.
Through her writing and work as an editor, de la Ferrière creates safe, brave spaces on the page and in the world. From topics such as coming out as trans in the workplace to navigating stressful holiday dinners with family members, she always circles back to prioritizing one’s mental and emotional safety.
Wendy Boyce, president of the Public Relations Society of America Rochester, has witnessed de la Ferrière’s impact firsthand.
“Marie-Adélina’s dedication to elevating LGBTQ+ voices and educating others is incredible,” said Boyce. “She’s helping put Rochester on the map as a leader in advocacy nationwide. When you first meet her, (she) might seem soft-spoken, but her words yield great power — and she’s using them to change our world for the better.”
As a role model to many, de la Ferrière also finds inspiration from many. Her mother, Dominique, is perhaps the one who inspires her the most.
“I’m my mother’s daughter,” said de la Ferrière. “She’s always demonstrated how to live your most authentic life in a world that constantly tells us we’re not worthy.”
In an effort to show the trans community just how worthy they are, de la Ferrière is in the process of launching a first-of-its-kind civic initiative that will celebrate transgender voices proud and out loud: The Bernadine Casseus Trans Laureate Program, named in honor of de la Ferrière’s late aunt, a Black trans woman and fierce activist.
The community-powered program will honor one individual each year who identifies as transgender or gender-expansive. With a stipend to help financially support the honoree, the goal is to magnify trans voices through art.
“Now, more than ever, we need a way to fully amplify our voices,” said de la Ferrière.
What does it mean to live authentically? Maybe it depends on the person — on their life experiences and ability to create spaces where others can find answers to this very question.
Authenticity can’t be shoved into a box or made to fit a social “norm.” For de la Ferrière, it is about showing up and generating some good every day.
“Create the world that you not only want to live in,” she said, “but that you want others to live in as well.” instagram.com/thetranslaureate
Helana Shumway is a contributor to CITY.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
