A celebration of the life of noted transgender activist, mentor and teacher Gloria Allen was held on Oct. 6 at Center on Halsted.
Allen—who wasaffectionately called "Mama Gloria" by her friends and colleagues, saw her efforts in the Chicago LGBTQ+ community depicted in a well-received play (Charm) and a GLAAD-nominated documentary (Mama Gloria)—passed away at the age of 76 on June 13. The event, which was held on what would have been her 77th birthday, was attended by many friends, neighbors and family members who freely shared memories of her; the celebration was capped with a videotaped message from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a proclamation delivered by state Rep. Greg Harris.
Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1945, Allen grew up on Chicago's South Side during the era of the legendary drag balls before the Stonewall Riots in 1969. With the support and love of her mother, Alma (a showgirl and former Jet Magazine centerfold), and her grandmother, Mildred (a seamstress), Allen overcame traumatic sexual violence in high school and earned an LPN. She worked at the University of Chicago Hospital and in private homes as a nurse's aide. Later in life, she became a celebrated figure in the trans-rights movement with her charm school that operated out of Center on Halsted from 2012 through 2017. Allen's charm school was for at-risk transgender youth and offered free lunches as well as classes on life lessons in love, style, etiquette and make-up. Allen is quoted as saying, "I taught charm school for five years—and those were the best five years of my life."
Allen's cousin Gail Collier said, "She was born in a time when it was hard to stand out as yourself. No matter what, she was bold and beautiful and she didn't care what people thought."
Center on Halsted CEO Modesto Tico Valle reminisced about meeting Allen for the first time 15 years ago: "It was very hard to miss he. She told me, 'I need your help. We need to teach our young people. We need to teach them how to love themselves and hold their heads up.' And before I could say anything she said, 'I'll be here Friday, and I'll need lots of pizzas and refreshments.'"
Former charm school student and GenderCool Project co-founder Gearah Goldstein said, "She set a foundation for me to be who I am. Trans, Black, white, queer, men, women—with her charm school she created all LGBTQ safe spaces. When you were around her, you were safe. She refused to lead with trauma; she led with triumph."
Later during the program, Allen's nephew, Dr. Benton Johnson, said of her, "She had pain, she had struggles, she had triumphs, but she paused to make others great. Her way was caring and she cared."
Allen was also embraced by her neighbors at Town Hall Apartments. Longtime neighbor Don Bell said, "When I think of Gloria, all I can say is 'Well done.' Hers was a life well lived. Let's not mourn her departure; let's celebrate her life big-time. She died in her own home in peace. She lived her full life expectancy for a trans woman, and you can't say that for many trans people."
Town Hall staff member David James said of her relationship with her surroundings, "She loved Center on Halsted, she loved being in the Town Hall Apartments. She died in a place that she loved. She died in a place where she was loved. I was struck by the love of her biological family, which is something many trans women do not enjoy."
Documentary filmmaker Stephen Lewis recalled how Allen wished to be remembered: "[She said,] 'I want to be remembered as a happy person, happy-go-lucky and as a good person. I want to be remembered for my dimples because I got them from God. He said, 'You're cute!!!'"
Documentary filmmaker Luchina Fisher added, "Gloria didn't have advanced degrees or a whole lot of money, but what she did have was love. Love from her beautiful mother, her grandmother and great-aunt. Love for herself won over years of pain and struggle. Love from her trans sisters who didn't make it but whose spirit she carried with her. And love for a new generation of trans, non-binary and queer youth who she called her children."
She went on to say, "It was important for me [as a filmmaker] to capture her voice and spirit, knowing that she would not be here forever. But she was an important part of history, one that we must never forget. And she paved the way for my daughter and so many other young trans people today."
Allen's cousin Renee Greenwood said, "I remember the boys in high school would chase her and call her names but what I really remember of her is her class—how she would present herself. She was so funny, but she fulfilled her purpose for being here."
In her taped message, Lightfoot said of Allen, "Our entire city is so lucky to have felt Mama Gloria's powerful presence. Not only did she teach youth the important lesson about their health and safety, [but] she taught them how to embrace their identity and have fun with it."
Fisher later said, "Two days after Gloria's passing, my daughter and I traveled to the White House to celebrate Pride. As I stood listening to President Biden speak about the road ahead, he mentioned the shoulders on which we stand—and he called out Gloria's name. I gasped out loud and wept because I knew the world now knows Gloria's name and she will never be forgotten."
The film Mama Gloria is streaming on PBS and Third World Newsreel.
