Rain or shine, a protest for Transgender rights was hosted by the organizations Trans Up Front Illinois and Indivisible Chicago at Federal Plaza on Sunday, March 30.
Nearly 1,000 Chicagoans and out-of-state supporters gathered at Federal Plaza before marching through the streets in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility. The march took place a day before the annual observance as participants celebrated the existence and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
Organizations including the Trans Chicago Empowerment Center, Brave Space Alliance and the Chicago Teachers Union endorsed the event. Members of these groups held signs advocating for transgender youth, trans women and Black and Brown communities. Messages on the signs included “No feminism without trans women” and “There is no LGB without the T,” along with photographs of Marsha P. Johnson. Johnson was a transgender activist who participated in the 1969 Stonewall Riots and fought for LGBTQ+ rights.
The demonstrators marched for transgender equality amid recent attacks and violence against the community.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced he has signed executive orders stating the federal government will only recognize two genders. During Women’s History Month, Trump also made clear statements that emphasize the banning of trans women from women’s sports.
Through music and chants, demonstrators in Chicago emphasized that the city remains a supportive community, celebrating trans visibility despite recent policy changes.
As people rallied the streets of Chicago from Federal Plaza to the Trump tower, the weather took a turn and it began pouring rain. Thunderstorms struck the Chicagoland area that produced hurricane-force winds along with a tornado watch that was issued for Chicago all the way to Northwest Indiana. The drastic change in weather didn’t discourage anyone from marching. People cheerfully chanted “Trans power,” “No justice, no peace,” “No fascist USA” and much more as the rain fell heavily throughout the march.
Desai Negrelli travelled to Chicago from Chesterton, Indiana, to show support, advocate and hopes for others to feel seen and not alone.
Kristen Vandewalker, from the Hermosa community on the West Side of Chicago, gathered in Federal Plaza to show solidarity for her child’s transgender friends.
“When you talk about trans rights or LGBTQ rights or women’s rights or immigrants rights, they’re all human rights, and we all should treat everyone as humans,” Vandewalker said.
Mitchell Vi Brittania, a Chicagoan who also attended the protest said there’s power as a community when we come together.
“It’s incredibly important for us to show up for advocacy events,” Brittania said. “By sticking together, coming together, advocating for one another, I think we are stronger as one.”
“It’s a group effort, and we’re all here to support each other. It feels liberating. It feels freeing and it gives people hope,” Negrelli said.
Copy edited by Trinity Balboa
