Trans*, Gender Non-Conforming, Intersex Freedom (T.G.I.F.) welcomed nearly 350 attendees last July to the first local event of its kind celebrating TGI communities. Featuring musical performances, a rally, picnic and a community expo, T.G.I.F. returns for a second annual event Sunday, July 28, at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., 12-4 p.m.
Local transgender activist KOKUMO, the lead organizer and founder of T.G.I.F., said the event stemmed from lifelong dream to establish a public forum for the TGI community, since she and others didn't have a space to showcase their creativity and hold dialogues about political issues. Although many have dubbed T.G.I.F. as Chicago's "trans pride," KOKUMO added that it's too general of a description.
"There are trans prides and rallies, but T.G.I.F. is one of a kind," KOKUMO said. "Other events also only include trans people and T.G.I.F. is for the transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex community and its allies."
The theme for this year's T.G.I.F. is "Transcending Pride, Evolving Movements," which KOKUMO said resulted from deep reflection about the current direction of LGBT politics.
"We have to get to a point where our agenda doesn't get usurped from us as transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex people and as allies. We sometimes wait for non-TGI people dictate what the issue is, which has been the case in recent times with marriage equality." KOKUMO said. "We are proud of who we are as TGI people but we've got to evolve this movement."
To raise community awareness and support for this year event, T.G.I.F. 2013 organizers launched an Indiegogo campaign that raised $2,025 of its $10,000 goal. Although the online fundraising campaign ends June 18, potential supporters can visit www.kokumomedia.com to reach KOKUMO directly.
"TGIF needs the community's support and money in order to happen," KOKUMO said. "This event builds upon the successes of last year and we're hoping for more funding and of course for everyone to come."
Cyon Flare will host T.G.I.F. 2013, with performances by Angelica Ross, Dirty Grid, About Face Youth Theatre, Elias Karal, Jova Black, KOKUMO and more. Local activists—including Alexis Martinez of the Chicago Dyke March Collective, gender nonconforming performance artist Nic Kay and intersex activist Pidgeon Pagonis—will deliver keynote addresses.
A number of community organizations have signed on as event supporters or will sponsor exhibits and provide services to attendees, such as SAGE Community Services, the Young Women's Empowerment Project and the Transformative Justice Law Project.
For more information, visit the T.G.I.F. 2013 Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/506445999394998/ .
