Trans Day of Visibility Easter: Stations of the Cross by Kris Klas

1 Jesus prays in the garden

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:02 UTC

In the garden, Jesus prays, “if you are willing, take this cup from me.” In this image a young Queer person is begging not to be Trans. This image calls to mind conversion therapy, painful anti-trans doctrine, and internalized trans-phobia.

2 Jesus is betrayed and arrested

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:02 UTC

Judas comes to the garden, kisses Jesus on the cheek and the Romans know who to arrest. In this image, people from a gay bar who are breaking the “three article rule” by not wearing at least three articles of clothing that match their assigned genders at birth, are being rounded up and arrested.

3 Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:03 UTC

When Jesus is condemned by the Sandhedrin, the religious leaders in his own community find him guilty of breaking their religious laws. Here members of the Westboro Baptist Church spew hate towards Trans identities.

4 Jesus is denied by Peter three times

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:04 UTC

During his trial, the religious leaders ask Peter if he knows Jesus. Three times he denies knowing Jesus to protect himself. This betrayal is reflected in this image of Sylvia Rivera begging a crowd at a Gay Liberation rally to listen to her. The cis, white, gay community has often left behind the Trans community when it comes to fighting for our rights and our lives.

5 Jesus is judged by Pilate

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:05 UTC

Here the government of the time tries Jesus, but despite not finding him guilty of anything worthy of crucifixion, condemns him to death to appease the crowds. This image is a politician introducing anti-trans legislation and rhetoric at a rally.

6 Jesus is scourged and crowned by thorns

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:06 UTC

Before being crucified, Jesus is beaten with a cat of nine tails and then a crown of thorns is placed on his head to mock him for his title “king of the Jews.” In all too familiar images, we see Nex Benedict being escorted out of the school bathroom and recovering in the hospital after being beaten up by classmates.

7 Jesus takes up his cross

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:07 UTC

Jesus has to carry his cross to the hill where he will be crucified. In this image, a person takes up a Trans Pride flag while participating in a march for Trans rights.

8 Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:08 UTC

Simon of Cyrene was chosen to help Jesus carry his cross since he was so weakened by the previous beatings. In this image, a parent of Dave Kirby, who succumbed to AIDS, is caring for Peta, a volunteer at Pater Noster House who also had AIDS and cared for Dave until his death.

9 Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:09 UTC

Along the road, many people followed Jesus, including women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. Here the image turns that meeting on its head and we see Trans women meeting to care for one another and exchange make up tips.

10 Jesus is crucified

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:10 UTC

This image is of someone holding a Trans flag with their hands outspread in a similar position to Jesus on the cross.

11 Jesus promises his kingdom to the repentant thief

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:11 UTC

While on the cross, there are two other people also being crucified. A thief repents and Jesus welcomes him into the kingdom of God. Here we see a Trans person shaking hands with the Pope in an act of forgiveness towards a church that rejected the Trans community.

12 Jesus entrusts Mary & John to each other

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:12 UTC

As he is on the cross, Jesus tells John to take care of his mother. This image is of House Royalty, one of the many houses of queer folks who created chosen families to care for one another when they were rejected by their birth families.

13 Jesus dies on the cross

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:13 UTC

Jesus’ death on the cross is ultimately something he sees as necessary and inevitable to save others. While suicide, and suicide attempts, do not make the lives of people around them better, it may feel that way to Trans people who do not have the support, acceptance, and gender affirming care they need. This image highlights the prevalence of suicide attempts in the Trans community and the impact gender affirming care can have.

14 Jesus is laid in the tomb

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:21:13 UTC

Jesus dies on “Good Friday,” and Joseph of Arimathea places him in the tomb until he is resurrected. During this time, Jesus gets the keys to death, hell, and the grave. In this image, a Trans person has replaced their old ID with their deadname on it, which we presume they will throw in the trash.

15 Resurrection

kristinklas1 — 2024-04-01 00:38:31 UTC

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection where he has defeated death. This celebration of new life is echoed in the beauty of this transcendent image of Trans joy.