At Chicago’s first ever trans pride rally this summer, Gozamos spoke with several local organizations that offer services to Chicago’s transgender community. About 300 people attended the historic event, dubbed the T.G.I.F. (trans, gnc, and intersex freedom) Rally. Lead organizer Kokumo, a transgender woman/activist/artist, kicked off the rally by explaining, “As a trans woman, I see that we are shut out of the establishment via education, employment, and housing. The only way we can truly find happiness is by creating our own movements and our own safe spaces.”
In addition to facing such issues as employment and housing discrimination, transgender women, particularly women of color, are disproportionately victims of hate murders. This year in Chicago, two young transgender women of color, Paige Clay and Tiffany Gooden, were murdered on the city’s West Side.
The T.G.I.F. rally addressed several of these issues in addition to providing a space for the trans community to celebrate its achievements. The keynote speech was given by Kylar Broadus, a lawyer and founder of Trans People of Color Coalition, the first advocacy organization in the world run by and for trans people of color. Broadus made history himself by becoming the first transgender person to testify before the U.S. Senate.
The rally also included a gender-affirming clothing drive, a self-defense class, performances, speakers, and a Wall of Remembrance for attendees to write the names of those in the trans community who lost their lives this year. The event also featured a Wall of Celebration because, as Kokumo explained, “we also want to celebrate those who are still with us and doing revolutionary work.”
Check out our interviews with some of the local organizations that are doing such revolutionary work in Chicago.
Resources Featured in Video
Transformative Justice Law Project
4707 N. Broadway, Chicago
(773) 272-1822
www.tjlp.org
namechange@tjlp.org
Soy Quien Soy: Trans* Empowerment Collective
sqs-tec.tumblr.com
www.facebook.com/sqschicago
sqs_info@yahoo.com
Life Skills
(773) 245-3755
www.projectlifeskills.org
www.facebook.com/LifeSkillsChicago
lifeskills@childrensmemorial.org
Oak Park Public Library’s Transgender Resources
834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL
(708) 383-8200
www.oppl.org
Affinity Community Services
1424 East 53rd St., Chicago
(773) 324-0377
www.affinity95.org
admin@affinity95.org
Lambda Legal
(800) 542-8336
www.lambdalegal.org
Additional Resources
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
The mission of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago is to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of people affected by the epidemic.
200 W. Jackson, Ste. 2200, Chicago
(312) 922-2322
www.aidschicago.org/
Broadway Youth Center
Offers comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.
3179 N Broadway
(773) 935-3151
www.howardbrown.org/byc
Center on Halsted
Provides a safe and welcoming environment with programs and services for the entire LGBT community.
3656 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL
(773) 472-6469
www.centeronhalsted.org
Howard Brown Health Center
To eliminate the disparities in health care experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness. (Includes advocacy groups and program for trans clients who wish to access hormones)
4025 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60613
773-388-1600
www.howardbrown.org
Illinois Gender Advocates
lllinois Gender Advocates (IGA) is the organization in Illinois performing public advocacy for transgender people. We petition for changes in the law and provide public education about transgenderism.
(630) 219-0526
IGA@genderadvocates.org
www.genderadvocates.org
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance
Promotes safety, support and healthy development for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, in Illinois schools and communities, through advocacy, education, youth organizing and research
70 E. Lake, Ste. 900, Chicago
(312) 368-9070
www.illinoissafeschools.org
Gender Just
Develops the leadership and power of diverse Queer Chicagoans through a commitment to racial, economic and gender justice, and the vibrant resistance cultures of our communities
(312) 650-9385
Info@GenderJUST.org
www.genderjust.org
Gender Queer Chicago
A grassroots, peer-led group that works to create safe spaces for all of us to talk about, think about, explore, and express gender
www.genderqueerchicago.blogspot.com
La Casa Norte
Serves youth and families confronting homelessness. We provide access to stable housing and deliver comprehensive services that act as a catalyst to transform lives and communities
3533 W. North Avenue, Chicago
773-276-4900
info@lacasanorte.org
www.lacasanorte.org
The Night Ministry
Provides housing, health care and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness.
4711 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago
(773) 784-9000
info@thenightministry.org
www.thenightministry.org
Project VIDA
Project VIDA is a culturally-focused HIV/AIDS prevention and direct services community-based organization located on Chicago’s West Side.
2659 South Kedvale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 277-2291
info@projectvida.org
www.projectvida.org
RAICES
RAICES is a project in Cicero and Berwyn Illinois with the goal to end homophobia, transphobia, and HIV/AIDS stigma in our community.
raices@projectvida.org
www.projectvida.org/raices
Task Force Prevention and Community Services
Provides counseling, case management, support groups, healthcare for youth
9 N. Cicero, Chicago, IL
773.473.4100
info@cityforce.org
www.cityforce.org
Valeo at Lakeshore Hospital
Provides comprehensive psychiatric and addiction-related treatment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals.
4840 N. Marine Drive
Chicago, IL 60640
(800) 888-0560
www.chicagolakeshorehospital.com/GLBT
VIDA SIDA
Primarily invested in GLBTQ issues, HIV prevention, HIV/STD testing and counseling, and outreach services to high-risk individuals. Offers temporary housing program for LGBTQ youth.
2703 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 278-6737
www.prcc-chgo.org/vidasida
For additional resources, also see ChicagoGender.com, OutintheSuburbs.com, GenderAdvocates.org