There will be a rally on Sunday to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility at College Green Park in Iowa City, featuring speakers discussing the issues facing transgender Iowans, as well as a performance by the Quire of Eastern Iowa.
The Southeast Iowa Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is one of the celebrations that will be held around the worlds as part of the International Transgender Day of Visibility, which has been held every March 31 since 2009 to celebrate the transgender community and create awareness of its accomplishments that has been held
“This year, trans Iowans and allies are also celebrating multiple victories, having defeated 39 out of 40 anti-trans bills,” organizers said in a news release.
Another victory for the trans community in Johnson County came when a jury acquitted Tara McGovern. McGovern, a well-established local musician and longtime activist in social justice causes, had taken part in a protest against an anti-trans activist speaking at the Iowa Memorial Union. A month after the protest, McGovern was arrested by the University of Iowa Police Department, and charged with Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Official Acts. In addition to McGovern, six other protesters out of the hundreds who participated in the IMU protest were arrested on the same two charges starting a month after the event. All of the JoCo7, as they came to be known, identify as transgender.
McGovern rejected a plea deal offered by the Johnson County Attorney’s Office. It took the jury less than four hours to return a verdict of not guilty on both counts.
Following the verdict, McGovern and their fellow JoCo7 members, along with other trans rights activists, held a news conference to say their were working on steps to be taken to make Johnson County more accountable for the way transgender individual are treated, and to have Iowa City and Johnson County resist anti-trans laws passed by the state.
McGovern and other members of the JoCo7 are expected to speak at the TDOV rally on Sunday.
There will also be TDOV events in the days leading up to Sunday.
The James Theater will host the Trans Gander Variety Show and Fundraiser on Friday night. The 18-and-over show starts at 8 p.m. and will feature live music from performers including Early Girl, mars hojilla and Ion Alexakis. There will also be burlesque acts, an art auction and food will be available from a pop-up by Masie’s. Tickets to the show are $10, and masks are encouraged. Proceeds from the evening will go to local mutual aid initiates serving the trans community.
On Saturday, Public Space One will be holding three TDOV events at its Close House location (538 S Gilbert St). Starting at 11 a.m., there will be a free two-hour workshop on making zines, signs and other artwork that helps people convey messages and express themselves. From 12:30 to 2 p.m., it’s time for a community potluck. Then Diversions Games & Café will host a board game pop-up at Close House. Gaymers Gathering will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Before the rally in College Green Park on Sunday, there will be information and education sessions in the meeting rooms of the Iowa City Public Library.
“Attendees can get legislative updates, write letters and/or postcards, learn about being a court watcher and how to get involved, dive into discussions on combating anti-trans legislation, and explore ways to strengthen our community through mutual aid, direct support, and more,” according to organizers. The event begins at noon.
TDOV events conclude with a special screen of Tomboy at FilmScene’s Chauncey location, followed by a discussion. The award-winning 2011 film by acclaimed French director Céline Sciamma tells the story a gender-nonconforming kid trying to fit into a new neighborhood and the circle of friends the reserved newcomer finds. In a 2022 review following its American release, Indiewire called the film “the perfect balm to the recent attacks on trans kids.” A portion of the proceeds will go to Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund.
“Our community’s strength lies in our unity and resilience, especially in the face of repeated legislative attacks,” Mandi Remington, director of Corridor Community Action Network and one of the lead organizer of the Southeast Iowa TDOV, said in a statement. “Coming together to support and celebrate one another is crucial during these challenging times.”
