Events to commemorate the annual International Transgender Day of Visibility are more plentiful than ever this year in Illinois and Iowa, with two dozen events or programs planned across the two states through April 1.
In Iowa, you’ll find TDOV events in Des Moines, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities. In Illinois, TDOV will be recognized in not only the Quad Cities, but also Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, Elgin, Grayslake, Peoria and Skokie. Events include celebrations, summits, poetry readings, performances, resource fairs and author panels.
Allega Hernandez, a musician based in Des Moines, will perform at two events this week to honor the International Transgender Day of Visibility.
The international day of recognition started in 2009 when a Michigan transgender activist sought a celebratory and affirming annual recognition for transgender people. Here’s a list of 24 ways to celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility in Illinois, and also in Iowa, over the coming week:
Transgender Day of Visibility Events on Wed., March 27
Advocating for Future Generations: 2024 Day of Transgender Visibility and Action, 2 p.m., online: Anyone from anywhere can watch this Zoom panel discussion focused on “moving beyond visibility and awareness towards solidarity and action in our work and daily lives, as well as what it means to advocate for the TGX community in the present in order to support and empower future generations.” Sign up here.
Transgender Day of Visibility Storytelling, 6 p.m., Des Moines: Transgender members of the Des Moines area community will share their stories, and musician Allegra Hernandez will provide the first of two performances during the week, at this event organized by the City of Des Moines Civil & Human Rights Commission’s LGBTQ Advisory Council. “Hear from speakers as they share their stories and learn what you can do to make Des Moines safe for all.” This event takes place at Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave.; reserve your spot here.
Author and philanthropist Dominique Morgan will speak at the Spring Trans Health and Wellness Summit in Chicago.
Transgender Day of Visibility Events on Fri., March 29
Spring Trans Health and Wellness Summit (THAW), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Chicago: Find advocacy, education and friendship at this all-day Chicago conference. Topics to be covered include trans’ masculine sexual health, harm reduction/sex work, housing inequality, mental health and wellness, and funding disparities within transgender-led organizations. You’ll find more than a dozen experts and speakers, including Precious Brady-Davis, a member of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and the first-ever Black Transgender female member of a Cook County government body; and author and philanthropist Dominique Martin, head of the Fund for Trans Generations. The Spring THAW takes place at the University of Illinois-Chicago Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. Reserve your spot here.
Transgender Day of Visibility Sashay 4 to 6 p.m., Normal, Ill.: : Transgender Day of Visibility Sashay is an annual tradition at Illinois State University and will feature sign-making, a march around the campus, speakers and more.
Trans Gander, 8 p.m., Iowa City: This evening of burlesque, live music, visual arts and more is coordinated by Tara McGovern, the activist recently acquitted on misdemeanor charges of for a protest of a detransitioner in October 2023. This event takes place at The James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St.
Several of the 29 comics included in The Out Side will speak at a panel event in Skokie.
Transgender Day of Visibility Events on Sat., March 30
Central Iowa Trans Lives Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Des Moines:Â You’ll find a full day of art sand crafts, vendors, live music and resource information at the first-ever Central Iowa Trans Lives Festival Sat., March 30. Starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., this event is coordinated and hosted by the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, 1800 Bell Ave. For more information, email tag@ucdsm.org.
Southeast Iowa Trans Day of Visibility, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Iowa City: Â Partake of sign-making, a community potluck, a board game pop-up with Diversions Games & Cafe at this day hosted by Corridor Community Action Network, and PS1. Close House, 538 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City.
Transgender Storytelling, 2 to 5 p.m., Grayslake: This family-friendly event at the Grayslake’s Lamp Lake Brewery, 2 S. Lake St., celebrates transgender storytelling and culture. Admission is free; donations are welcome.
The Out Side Author Panel, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Skokie: This event features trans-themed comic artists featured int he new edition of The Out Side, an internationally-released anthology of transgender and nonbinary autobiographical comics “In recent years, trans-themed comics have had a huge impact on how the trans community is understood by readers and at times how readers see themselves. What are the next steps for trans comics creators now that the eyes of the world are upon them? Can authentic stories bring understanding to contentious issues?” This panel features moderator The Kao (Magical Boy) and panelists Sage Coffey (Wine Ghost), Dashi, Vixtopher, Nasr Bin Safwan, and Mel Valentine Vargas (Yacqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass). Admission is free, but space is limited; reserve your spot here. Also, the first 50 registrants will receive a free copy of The Out Side. Petty Auditorium, Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie.
Speak Out, 2 to 4 p.m., Champaign: Gather with Planned Parenthood and allies to “share stories of trans joy, resilience, and celebration.” The location will be provided to registrants by email; sign up here.
Southern Illinois Transgender Day of Visibility 3 to 7 p.m., Carbondale: The annual Southern Illinois Transgender Day of Visibility aims to be larger than ever this year, with a planned parade; live music;Â aesthetic services including haircuts, make-up, binders and more; guidance on political activism and name changes; and health care information incuding insurance, hormone replacement therapy, and other referrals. For additional information, email benito@rainbowcafe.org
Windy City Trans Visibility Pageant , 7:30 p.m. Chicago: The Windy City Trans Visibility Pageant features hosts Terri D’Amor and Ruff n’ Stuff, plus competitors and award-winners galore. This event takes place at Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 W. Washington Blvd. in Chicago.
FilmScene in Iowa City will show the French film “Tomboy,” about a 10-yera-old trans boy whose family relocates from the city to the suburbs, on March 31.
Transgender Day of Visibility Events on Sun., March 31
Teachins, Legislative Activity and More at Iowa City Public Library, Noon to 1:30: CCAN has organized five things to do to create awareness: explore legislative activity, write postcards and letters, learn about community involvement, sig up to be a court watcher, or learn about ways to strengthen mutual aid, direct support and more.
Rally and Celebration, 2 p.m., Iowa City: Speakers and organizations will be on hand at College Green Park, and the Quire of Eastern Iowa will perform. To host a table or speak, email director@corridorcan.com.
Transgender Day of Visibility: Being Visible, 3 to 5 p.m., Quad Cities: Talk about “what it means to be visible, how to achieve your own visibility, and how to help the community be visible.” This event takes place at Clock Inc., 4102 46th Ave., Rock Island, and is co-presented by Free Mom Hugs-Iowa.
“Tomboy” screening at FilmScene, 4 p.m., Iowa City: This French film tells the story of a 10-year-old transgender boy coming to grips with their gender identity as they and their family move from the city to the suburbs.
Transcend: A Day of Visibility Celebration, 5 p.m., Des Moines:Â Â In the second of two performances in honor of TDOV, Allegra Hernandez headline this collection of five indie bands in honor of TDOV. In addition, the nonprofit Common Love DSM will offer gender-affirming clothing. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door; get yours here.
Trans Day of Visibility poetry reading, 7 to 9 p.m., Chicago: This event is for all ages, and is presented by the at Whiskey Girl Tavern. Funds raised go to the Chicago Therapy Collective, which helps transgender people find employment.
Transgender Day of Visibility Benefit and Drag Show, 8 p.m., Des Moines:Â Help raise money for One Iowa and its ongoing fight against anti-transgender bills at this event feature transgender performers from across Iowa. Krystal Frost-Cavalier hosts this evening at The Garden, 525 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines. Admission is $5 to $10; get your tickets here.
Transgender Day of Visibility Events on Mon., April 1
Transgender Day of Visibility, Illinois Central College, 2 p.m.: Alexander Martin is the guest speaker at this special event presented by UNITE (Understanding Individuality Through Education) and the MSRT (Minority Student Retention Team). Martin will talk about being a transgender female artist and person of color.
Transgender Read-a-Thon catches on in Moline, Bloomington
Two bookstores in Illinois are encouraging their patrons to participate in the Trans Rights Read a Thon, a second annual event intended to help focus on transgender awareness and understanding through reading, and to encourage donations in support of LGBTQ affirming groups. The Read -A-Thon started March 22 and continues through March 29,with participants signing up to share the books they read and the organizations to which they donate.
In Moline, The Atlas Collective at 1801 5th Ave. is encouraging people to swing by and check out its trans-friendly collection. In Bloomington, Bobzbay Books at 419 N. Main St. is encouraging its patrons to join the Read-A-Thon.
For even more suggestions on transgender awareness books to read, check out the Read-A-Thon page itself, or this list from the Iowa City Public Library, where you’ll find 18 books to help further understanding of being transgender.Or, explore this list from Pen America and the Marsha P. Jones Institute with 17 books for transgender awareness.
History of TDOV focused on joy, celebration
The founder of TDOV, Rachel Crandall Crocker, is also the founder of Transgender Michigan, which started the nation’s first-ever transgender help line. Crocker told PBS in 2021 that she created the annual day in 2009 to foster a spirit of celebration.
