Interview of Geleni Fontaine

Geleni Fontaine is an acupuncturist, RN and healer based on Brooklyn. In this interview, they share on their growing up in a working class Cuban family in Park Slope, Brooklyn, prior to the neighborhood's gentrification. Geleni politicized as a feminist through Brooklyn Women's Martial Arts, which later became the Center for Anti-violence Education. Through organizing there, Geleni became involved in the early NYC trans group the Metropolitan Gender Network, where they were inspired by Les Feinberg, Sylvia Rivera and Imani Henry. The interview emphasizes the spiritual dimension of their upbringing, healing work, and trans community.

Date of Interview:

November 18, 2021

Location of Interview:

Third Root Community Health Center, Brooklyn, New York

Place of birth:

Manhattan

Pronouns:

they/them

Interviewed by

Kamryn Wolf