This past weekend Chicago hosted the second annual Trans 100, an event that recognizes 100 transgender people working who have worked towards the advancement of the transgender community. The trans 100 isn't a ranking list but a collection of individuals who have dedicated their life's work to creating change towards equality and acceptance of transgender people. Advocates from all over the country from every intersection of transgender advocacy came together in celebration of the community's progress.
This second annual event was sponsored by Chicago House, GLAAD, and This Is How and hosted by co-producer Angelica Ross who is also the TransWorks Coordinator at Chicago House. This year former recepient Janet Mock introduced Gloria Allen to receive the first ever Living Legend awared. Allen, effectionately known as "Mama Gloria", has been a fixture in Chicago's transgender community for many years. The 67 year-old runs a charm school out of Center on Halsted teaching mentoring young LGBT people in etiquette and prevention. Kye Allums, the first Black openly trans athlete and actress Laverne Cox keynoted the event. Several advocates were in attendance of this year's even including Jen Richards, founder of Trans 100, Fallon Fox, the first transgender professional MMA fighter, Geena Rocero, model and first transgender woman of color to give a TED talk at at the national conference as well as Kylar Broadus, Christina Karl, Van Bailey and many others.
Trans*H4ck also worked in partnership with this yearsTrans 100 to acknowledge transgender people's contribution to the tech industry. "Trans Hack Chicago was an incredible success. We had eight apps focused on empowering the trans community. It was really inspiring to see so many trans people come together to use computer technology as a means to create accessable resources," said Dr. Kourtney Ziegler, founder and director of Trans*H4ck, a national initiative that develops new and useful open source resources and tech products that benefit the trans and gender non-conforming community. This was in response to the growing social and economic barriers that plague the trans community. During the 48-hour hack-a-thon, the winning group, RAD, created a site that streamlined the search process for transgender medical practioners.
The weekend's events was a stellar display of LGBT activism from across disciplines and organizations. GLAAD is proud to partner and affliiate with so many influential individuals and organizations committed to the transgender community. It also is the leads into todays' Trans Day of Visibilty.
Check out more tweets and photos below:
LOVED @Lavernecox's message this evening of self healing and #selfcare at #trans100pic.twitter.com/h1S6hkZglx
— Adria Richards (@adriarichards) March 31, 2014
Trans March co-chair @tracygarza has been announced in the #Trans100 list! pic.twitter.com/LujJebxRgN
— Trans March (@transmarch) March 31, 2014
Up next: Kye Allums, first openly out #transgender athlete in Division I sports. #trans100#LGBTpic.twitter.com/6avlkZTf6a
— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) March 31, 2014
Two of my fav sport folks: @FallonFox& @ChristinaKahrl kick off the list! #trans100pic.twitter.com/2yuzQ4ASgn
— The Chris Mosier (@TheChrisMosier) March 31, 2014
#trans100pic.twitter.com/wejxrR7P50
— Ms Dr Joseph Simonis (@josephlsimonis) March 31, 2014