This year has seen a sustained assault on the rights of transgender people from the Trump administration and in Iowa, which became the first state ever to erase part of its civil rights act. Republicans in the Legislature pushed through a bill that eliminated protections on the basis of gender identity, which had been added to the Iowa Civil Rights Act in 2007, and stopped state and local governments from enacting laws that recognize trans and gender nonconforming people, or even including information about them in official reports.
It was the latest and most extreme bill passed as part of the anti-trans agenda Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican lawmakers have been pushing since 2022. Despite the enormous changes it made to state law, the bill was fast-tracked through the legislature — passing the Iowa House in just a week, while the Senate version received its final vote only four days after being introduced. It was the first bill Gov. Reynolds signed into law this year.
In response, organizers of this year’s Southeast Iowa Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) are expanding the event from one day to seven.
“Our state legislature is attempting to systematically erase trans Iowans from public life,” Mandi Remington, founder and director of Corridor Community Action Network (CCAN), said in a news release. “We’re responding by strengthening our community and making sure everyone knows that isn’t going to happen.”
CCAN took the lead in organizing this year’s expanded Southeast Iowa TDOV. Remington, who was elected to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors last year, testified against the bill stripping civil rights protections for trans Iowans during a subcommittee hearing in the Iowa House.
“This bill does not protect anyone. It doesn’t solve any real problems. It only legalizes harm,” she said. “It tells an entire group of Iowans — our neighbors, students, coworkers and family members — that they’re not worthy of the same rights and protections as everyone else.”
In its news release, CCAN said, “The current political climate has led organizers to emphasize direct action and mutual aid in this year’s events, including raising funds for the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund (ITMAF), which provides direct assistance to trans Iowans in need. In addition, the newly-formed Iowa for Transgender Folks Coalition — a partnership between CCAN, Great Plains Action Society, Transistors, Astig Planning, Planned Parenthood North Central States, Wright House of Fashion, and Antelope Lending Library — will be working to advance transgender rights, community support, and advocacy efforts well beyond March.”
The International Transgender Day of Visibility is observed every year on March 31. Rachel Crandall Crocker, executive director of Transgender Michigan, organized the first observance in 2010.
“She hoped to create a day where people could celebrate the lives of transgender people, while still acknowledging that due to discrimination, not every trans person can or wants to be visible,” the civil rights group GLAAD explains on its TDOV page.
The events over the seven days of TDOV range from a potluck supper to concerts to printmaking to a special film screening. Remington said the idea is “to ensure that our community is saturated with as much support as possible.”
“We are rallying, organizing, and taking action — because if our state won’t protect its people, we will.”
Saturday, March 22
- Flashart Fundraiser for ITMAF at Gray Goat Tattoo in West Branch (116 N 1st St); 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Workshops: “Ask Me Anything – a Session with Your Friendly Queer Nurse Practitioner” and gender-affirming physical therapy at Sacred Collective in Iowa City (213 N Linn St); time TBD
- Clothing and Accessories Swap at Public Space One’s Close House in Iowa City (538 S Gilbert St); 1-3 p.m.
- “Transparency”: Open drawing session with Print Against the Machine at Printmaker at the Iowa City Print Co-op (225 N Gilbert St); 4-7 p.m.
- Clothing and Accessories Swap: the Main Event at Public Space One’s Close House in Iowa City (538 S Gilbert St); 6-10 p.m.
Sunday, March 23
- Clothing and Accessories Swap at Public Space One’s Close House in Iowa City (538 S Gilbert St); 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thursday, March 27
- Community potluck at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Coralville (2355 Oakdale Dr); 5-7 p.m.
Friday, March 28
- Free Gender-Affirming Haircuts with Christina of Mop Salon in Iowa City (2203 F St); all day, but DM Christina on Instagram or contact her through her site to schedule an appointment.
- Sign-making and zine distribution at the Iowa City Press Co-op (225 N Gilbert St); late afternoon/early evening, exact time TBD.
- Trans-Mission: Burlesque, Drag and Spoken Word Fundraiser for ITMAF at Studio 13 in Iowa City (13 S Linn St #1); starts at 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 29
- Webinar: Teaching Beyond Fear; noon
- “Doing Gender Justice,” a book talk, sale and signing event featuring authors Shui-yin Sharon Yam and Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz at the Green House in Iowa City (505 E Washington St); 4-6 p.m. Twenty percent of the proceeds from book sales go to ITMAF.
- Trans Vibrations: a concert to raise funds for the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund, at Trumpet Blossom in Iowa City (310 E Prentiss St); 9-11:30 p.m. Scheduled performers include What Resembles Us, Early Girl, Miss Christine and Nightline. The entire $10 cover will donated to ITMAF.
Sunday, March 30
- “Signal: Photographs of Self-Possession Through Performed Ritual Place” in Meeting Room D of the Iowa City Public Library (123 S. Linn St); 1-3 p.m.
- Trans YAMS Art Meetup/Support Group for Trans Youth (6-16) and their trusted adults at the Iowa City Environment Education Center (24401 Scott Blvd); 1-3 p.m.
- Screening of I Saw the TV Glow, followed by a panel discussion at FilmScene at the Chauncey in Iowa City (404 E College St); 4 p.m. The screening is a fundraiser for ITMAF.
- TDOV Gaymers Gathering at Diversion: Games & Cafe in Coralville (119 2nd St); 8-11 p.m.
Monday, March 31
- A day of workshops, legislative letter-writing and more for TDOV in Meeting Room D of the Iowa City Public Library; 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Trans Day of Visibility Rally at College Green Park in Iowa City (600 E College St); 4-8 p.m. The rally will feature speakers and live music.
