Trans Up Front: Working with Chicago in the Fight Against Transfemicide

Jul 31, 2025

A group of 7 diverse people inside of a park district meeting room. From the left: Asher McMaher, a transmasc nonbinary person with light skin, dark curly hair, wearing a Trans Up Front Shows Up shirt with flannel over, blue jeans, and grey shoes. Kelly Cassidy, a light skinned woman with light skin and her hair in a ponytail, wearing a pink buttonup, grey pants, and brown shoes. Next is an asian woman with grey hair, a tan suit coat over a fun stripy dress and sneakers. Next is a curley haired woman wearing all black with light skin. Next is Silas, a transmasc person with light skin and curly dark hair wearing a black and white striped button down, tan shorts, and using a mobility scooter. Next is a darker skinned woman with dark brown hair, a white suit, with a pink shirt and heels. Last is a black woman with braids or locs holding a blue folder, wearing a floral light colored dress, black sweater, and sneakers.

Written by Asher McMaher, edited by Charlee Friedman

Last night, we had the deep honor of having our Executive Director, Asher McMaher, sitting in community with transgender and gender nonconforming individuals for a critical conversation following the State of Emergency for Transfemicide issued in Chicago.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2024/december/Transfemicide-Working-Group.html

From Asher: Listening to TGNC community members speak directly with representatives from the Chicago Police Department and the Department of Public Health reminded me that while this was only the first step, it was a powerful one. Real, systemic change begins with the people most impacted being heard.

I am not a trans woman but I’m raising one. My daughter is 13 years old, brilliant, kind, and unapologetically herself. She is also a survivor of a hate crime at just 4 years old at the hands of a biological parent.

The statistics are staggering, and the headlines relentless—trans people, particularly Black and Brown trans women, face disproportionately high rates of violence and murder. But behind those numbers are lives. Families. Dreams. Futures we must fight to protect.

Thank you State Representative Kelly Cassidy of the 14th District, 48th Ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, 33rd Ward Alderwoman Rosanna Rodrigues Sanchez and Commissioner Nancy Andrade from the Commission of Human Relations for bringing this working group together and for the invitation to be involved. I am grateful to be included in these conversations and look forward to continuing the work toward a city and a world where all of our trans sisters can live and thrive in safety and dignity.

Also pictured, wonderful community leaders and colleagues from the Chicago Therapy Collective. Thank you for the work you do and your ongoing partnership.

I also want to take a moment to recognize, they had sign language interpreters present at this meeting without the need to reach out ahead of time. Just pure access to ensure no one was left behind. I was able to truly and fully have access to the conversation without barriers. In a time where I am constantly fighting for access, thank you.

Trans Up Front is a nonprofit organization. While we remain dedicated to providing our resources and advocacy to anyone, regardless of ability to pay, we need funding to continue doing the work. Please donate on our website or become a paid subscriber through Substack to support our organization.

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Trans Up Front

Trans Up Front: Working with Chicago in the Fight Against Transfemicide

Trans Up Front is a nonprofit organization. While we remain dedicated to providing our resources and advocacy to anyone, regardless of ability to pay, we need funding to continue doing the work. Please donate on our website or become a paid subscriber through Substack to support our organization.

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