Writer, Historian, and Outspoken Advocate
Hobyah, Hobyah, Hobyah
Vivian's speech to the DNC LGBTQ Caucus on July 20, 2025
by Vivian Smotherman
Vivian was nominated to fill an At Large seat on the LGBTQ Caucus of the DNC. The caucus voted on July 20, 2025 and choose her at their newest member. It will become official at the DNC Summer Meeting in August.
Vivian's speech starts at 23 min. If you want to see the speeches of other nominees, those start around 20 minutes.
Vivian Smotherman DNC LGBTQ Caucus Portfolio
The Finish Line
No Kings Rally, Durango CO, June, 2025
by Vivian Smotherman
Attribution Notice
This speech was written and delivered by Vivian Smotherman on June 14, 2025, at the No Kings Rally in Durango, Colorado. It may be redistributed or quoted in full or in part, provided that proper credit is given to the author, Vivian Smotherman.
The Middle of the Story
Hands Off Rally, Durango CO, April 2025
by Vivian Smotherman
Attribution Notice
This speech was written and delivered by Vivian Smotherman on April 5, 2025, at the Hands-Off Rally in Durango, Colorado. It may be redistributed or quoted in full or in part, provided that proper credit is given to the author, Vivian Smotherman.
Pride Speeches, 2024
by Vivian Smotherman
Pagosa Springs CO
Pride 2024
Oury, CO
Pride 2024
A Transgender Prayer
by Vivian Smotherman
This work by Vivian Smotherman is licensed for sharing and non-commercial use—with attribution—only in ways that uplift, support, or advocate for transgender people. Misuse, misrepresentation, or appropriation for discriminatory or harmful purposes is not permitted.
I was born into a riddle without answer.
I was not groomed but gifted. Not trained but tested
I was born with a flaw in my flesh—
a quiet misalignment,
a body, out of phase with my soul.
My mirror always lied.
Family photos captured a stranger where I should
have been.
My childhood a monastic chant of silent begging:
“Please, make me normal.”
“Please, make it stop.”
“Please, fix me!”
Prayers eternally unanswered.
You ask so much of me.
And I have given.
Given You my beatings, my bruises, my blood, and
my shame—
Through it all, I have begged You with tears, cursed
You with rage.
And waited through endless silence for revelation.
In Your ineffable grace, You chose me.
Forced me to be stronger, smarter, more enduring.
You placed this weight upon my shoulders—
a burden, wrapped in a curse.
So, I will not complain.
I will not surrender.
I will not vanish to make others comfortable.
You set me between two worlds.
So I will walk in two worlds,
speak in two tongues,
and bridge the gap in understanding.
I will rescue the truths others tried to burn.
I will be a beacon for those lost in the fog.
My actions will be bold, my voice loud, my
example worthy of respect.
If this is the trial You set before me,
let it be my crucible.
I will not just survive.
I will thrive.
I will carve space.
I will resurrect legacy and live loud enough to echo
across time.
And when I stand before You,
in whatever world comes next,
I will not ask why You made me this way.
I only ask…