When Zahara Bassett created Life Is Work, a trans-led social service nonprofit advancing safety, wellness, housing, and justice for LGBTQ+ communities, she wasn’t just trying to build an organization. For Bassett, the vital work of equipping queer and trans people with the resources they need to thrive is deeply personal.
A lifelong Chicagoan and advocate, Bassett wants to preserve trans history and revitalize neighborhoods to better serve LGBTQ+ people. This year, Life Is Work began working toward purchasing the childhood home of the late Stonewall veteran Miss Major Griffin-Gracy in order to transform it into a library and community gathering space. Bassett described the project as “more than preserving history —it’s about honoring the legacy of a trailblazer while creating a place where our community can learn, connect, create, and build the future together.”
“Our lives are powerful, our stories matter, and we deserve to thrive — not simply survive,” Bassett says. “I want people, especially those who have been told they don’t belong, to know that we can honor where we come from, create space for one another, and build a future where everyone can live with dignity, safety, and joy.” @life.iswork
