Different Protests Need Different Tactics
Strategies to Maximize Impact and Minimize Harm
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Although Trans Up Front is primarily an organization that provides advocacy services for transgender and gender nonconforming young people ages 4-25, we’ve found ourselves often organizing actions to combat the rising tide of anti-trans actions taking place in Illinois.
After Trump’s executive order defining gender as solely male or female based on sex assigned at birth (and ignoring all variability in gender and the fact that intersex people exist) as well as the executive order limiting sport participation (despite not really having the authority to oversee independent sports organizations), anti-trans sentiment has been on the rise. People are emboldened by the president’s words, feeling that they are now safe to target trans people. Those that didn’t know much about trans people are absorbing the misinformation and false narratives and are not educating themselves or looking for alternative resources.
We have found we are most often being called to arrange actions in three different categories:
Defending drag storytime at libraries
Countering harmful narratives at school board meetings
Arranging large-scale protests, rallies, and marches
1. Defending drag story time at libraries
With it being pride month, libraries are hosting drag story times. While there are less drag family events this year than in the past, those libraries that are hosting them are being targeted by extremist hate groups.
As recently as last week, Trans Up Front showed up outside of the Beverly branch of Chicago Public Library after we were alerted that hate groups were planning to target the library and block the doors before the event. We organized a response of approximately 50 people who spent the morning with us in what became a miniature pride party.
Check out a video from the action:
We drew encouraging messages on the sidewalk with chalk. We lined up on either side of the sidewalk with our pride gear, cheering for children and their families as they entered the library. We used flags, banners, and our bodies to block the members of the hate groups that showed up while they yelled obscenities and accused our group of the same horrible talking points that Trump and the far right regularly use. We endured megaphones pointed directly at our faces while dancing and singing and being stubbornly joyful. We had a dance party with loud music and even sang baby shark over extremist religious preaching.
We have another library storytime to defend on Monday. Check out the events section below for more information!
2. Countering hateful narratives at school board meetings
Hate groups like Moms for Liberty have been mounting a pressure campaign against schools across Illinois (and the country), pushing for the exclusion of trans students from athletics, restrooms, and locker rooms. They repeat disinformation from the right wing, call trans people hurtful names, and threaten the school with removal of funding if they do not comply with their demands.
Trans Up Front organizes a response to these attacks, mobilizing local organizations to show up with members of the community. We also hand out etiquette guides and pride flags so that we can have a visible presence in the room. For a full breakdown of how we prepare for school board meetings, check out the article:
3. Arranging large-scale protests, rallies, and marches
From hosting our own protests outside of Lurie Children’s Hospital after they stopped performing transgender affirming surgical care and our massive Trans Day of Visibility rally in downtown Chicago, to speaking and assisting with protests hosted by other organization, Trans Up Front has been on the forefront of representing the transgender community throughout the city.
Whenever we are involved in a large-scale action, we insist on accessibility, including an ADA designated section at the front and sign language interpreters. The large-scale actions that we arrange ourselves are family friendly, center the trans community and trans voices, and include a clear mission statement or ask.
Conclusion
While a one-size-fits-all approach would certainly make things simpler, it wouldn’t be most effective. We can’t act like we’re at a huge protest when we’re outside of a library, or we would block the sidewalk and could scare away families and children who would otherwise attend the same event we’re defending. We can’t party like a library action or yell like a protest when we’re at a school board meeting or we will not be taken seriously or could get kicked out. Similarly, we don’t show up at a library or major protest with dry speeches prepared where we address a board of elected officials.
Tomorrow, June 8th, 4-5pm, Trans Up Front is hosting a free virtual training on best practices to counter anti-LGBTQ protests like those that we’re encountering outside of library story times. Register here to get the session link: Defending LGBTQ Joy: Strategic Actions to Counter Anti-LGBTQ Protests
Upcoming Events
Sun, June 8th, 7pm - Disco Kitchen Kiki, celebrate the release of Vol 2. Ticket donations go to Trans Up Front. The Whistler, 2421 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago.
Mon, June 9th, 9:30am - Fight Hate with Joy: Protect Drag Storytime! Edgewater Branch of the Chicago Public Library System. No registration required.
Fri, June 20th, 5-7pm - Pokemon & Pride: Trans Youth Resource Fair. Glenwood Alfresco, Glenwood Ave between Lunt and Morse, Chicago, IL. Free to attend, no registration needed.
Tue, June 24th, 7-8:30pm - Virtual Town Hall - Pride with Purpose: Centering TGNC Support through Education and Combating Misinformation. Free of charge, donations welcome.
Sun, June 22nd, 1-4pm - Out & About at the Lake: TGNC Family Beach Day. Hollywood Beach, Chicago. Free of charge, donations and sponsorships welcome!
Sat, June 28th, 8am - Proud to Run & Trans Up Front Pride Run - 5k&10k, walk or run, adaptive athletes welcome! Start at: 601 W Montrose Ave, Chicago
US v Skrmetti
The Supreme Court is set to announce their decision on the case, US V Skrmetti, which will decide how much states are able to restrict gender affirming care for youth and adults. Trans Up Front is leading the state response to the decision, either direction. Due to the last-minute nature of this action, we ask that people sign up on our website to receive notifications once the decision is announced:
Call for volunteers
Trans Up Front needs YOUR help! Sign up to volunteer on our website:
We are also looking for help with art, graphic design, and content creation! If you are interested in helping in any of these capacities, please email our Director of Operations at Charlee@transupfrontil.com for more information.