Supporting Transgender Visibility at Chicago House
Every year on March 31st, we recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV). Visibility means different things for different people in transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) communities. To many, visibility means showing up as one’s most authentic self; to many others, visibility brings heightened risk of discrimination or even violence. Chicago House seeks to affirm all TGNC individuals in existing as their truest selves while also ensuring that visibility does not present barriers to accessing vital services.
This year for TDOV, we asked three members of the Chicago House community to share why they choose to be visible and how Chicago House has supported them in their visibility.
Angelina Nordstrom (they/them)
“It’s very important to me to be visible because, as much as people would like to believe that we don’t exist, we deserve to exist. We deserve to live; we are human, we’re beautiful, we’re valuable. There was a time way back in the day, even before the days of Christianity, when trans and two-spirit people were heavily revered, respected, and honored within indigenous communities. Unfortunately, due to colonization, the acknowledgment of such a powerful existence was heavily discouraged. A lot of culture was really robbed from indigenous communities, including Black indigenous communities, because there are Black indigenous people, and I’m one of them. It’s very important to revert back to the roots: we know that trans people possess certain levels of intuition and insight that other communities may not and probably will not be able to tap into, not to mention the resilience of our community, which should definitely be documented.
Chicago House was there for me when I was working at a job that really didn’t provide many opportunities for me to expand, not to mention that refused to respect my pronouns and identity. Chicago House guided me through navigating the workplace discrimination I was experiencing. I was affirmed that there was nothing wrong with me being me and that my identity is protected by local, state, and county legislation. I’ve experienced discrimination in numerous workplaces in the past, and Chicago House has always been a support system that I can access. I’m very grateful for the wonderful work Chicago House has done with me over the years. It has inspired me to pursue law school so I can pay it forward and protect other trans and queer workers, and it’s inspired the work that I do as the president of the Chicago LGBTQ Worker’s center.”
Ash T. (she/they)
“Visibility is important for one another as it gives others hope and light, and to let each other know we aren't alone. This is especially true for our siblings who are not yet able to be visible. Some of my favorite visibility moments are the ones that have been subtle or personal. Being able to be authentic to ourselves and to each other is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves, not as much for cis folks or society at large, but ins service for our community. Whether you are visible or not visible today, we see, love, and affirm you.
Personally, Chicago House has supported both my visibility, yet also my invisibility by helping me change my name. Being able to be visible with a name that holds the correct documents is something I value in helping me be visible as the person I wish to be, yet also affords me the ability to more easily blend into society without my transness being a factor. But that's a choice I didn't have before. Chicago House helped me own my visibility on my own terms as I navigated many ‘firsts’ of my post-college life, and gave me that confidence to be able to get housing, employment, and healthcare (not to mention buying libations to celebrate those wins ;) ) with documentation that correctly identifies me. For Chicago's TGNB community as a whole, Chicago House and TLC's wrap-around services uplift and affirm members of our community and assist us in individual quests for visibility & allowing us to shine our light with the world.”
Devin Hanley (he/him)
“I choose to be visible because I’m proud to be trans and proud to exist as my most authentic self. I began a physical transition at the same time as I began my working life, so in past jobs I disclosed that I’m trans out of what felt like necessity. My identity was always welcomed and accepted in these past jobs, which is a privilege in itself, but I was used to being one of the only out trans people at my job; often, I was the only one. Chicago House is the first workplace where I have many TGNC coworkers, all with different identities, experiences, and strengths. For the first time, being trans at work feels a little less noteworthy. The bravery of other folks on staff who are openly and unapologetically trans, and who in turn empower other trans people through their work, inspires me to bring this facet of myself to my job, too.”