by Patheresa Wells

Trans Satisfaction Seattle returns in particular person after a two-year hiatus, celebrating and centering transgender, nonbinary, Two Spirit, and gender-diverse communities. The occasion is offered by Gender Justice League (GJL), a corporation targeted on “Elevating Human Rights for Trans & Gender Numerous Folks.” Trans Satisfaction Seattle will happen at Volunteer Park Friday, Sept. 2, 5:30–9 p.m. 

“Amid a slew of anti-trans laws mixed with the continued COVID pandemic, areas like Trans Satisfaction are extra obligatory than ever. Many people solely lately had the chance to discover ourselves and our genders throughout lockdown, and haven’t but had entry to in-person trans group areas so necessary for connecting to one another,” mentioned Kai Aprill-Tomlin, communications and membership improvement supervisor with GJL. 

The present stage for this 12 months’s occasion will begin at 6 p.m., that includes native performers like queer synth pop band Seaside Tryst, Seattle’s all-Black Royal Home of Noir, singer-songwriter Karinyo, and lots of others. Plus, DJ MIXX America will probably be throwing down dope jams to maintain the group dancing. 

There will probably be round 40 organizations and teams tabling on the occasion. Teams like ACLU of Washington, Lavender Rights Undertaking, UTOPIA WA, Trans Girls of Colour Solidarity Community, Surge Reproductive Justice, Seattle T4T Clothes Swap, and others will share data and assets with attendees. 

Plus, there will probably be meals from Frelard Tamales, Yummy Yummy Thai, Ezell’s Hen, and Scooby’s Sizzling Canine!

The primary Trans Satisfaction Seattle was in 2013, when roughly 3,000 attendees got here collectively in Cal Anderson Park, mentioned Aprill-Tomlin. Over time it has grown, with 25,000 individuals on the final pre-pandemic occasion in 2019, he mentioned. 

This 12 months’s occasion, Trans Satisfaction’s first in-person gathering because the pandemic, was created with security in thoughts. As an illustration, the date was pushed again to September from the normal date of June 24, hoping that COVID-19 circumstances can be down by then. 

“Though COVID and now monkeypox are nonetheless very a lot occurring, now we have requested attendees to familiarize themselves with our security and accessibility data for the occasion, which features a masking requirement and different hurt discount methods,” mentioned Aprill-Tomlin. Full security and accessibility data for Trans Satisfaction might be discovered on Trans Satisfaction Seattle’s Accessibility webpage. 

As a further security measure, this 12 months’s occasion will get rid of the necessity for police involvement by forgoing a march. When a bunch needs to host a march, SPD is legally required to dam off site visitors, however that police presence doesn’t essentially imply security. In reality, based on the 2013 Nationwide Coalition of Anti-Violence Applications (NCAVP) Hate Violence Factsheet, “transgender individuals had been 7 instances extra prone to expertise bodily violence when interacting with the police in comparison with cisgender survivors and victims.” Which suggests having a police-free occasion is a further security precaution. Although they can’t assure that SPD won’t present up, the occasion could have non-public safety and a volunteer security crew. As a substitute of marching, GJL asks attendees to spend the night collectively having fun with the leisure and group constructing. 

This 12 months marks 10 years since GJL was based, making subsequent 12 months’s Trans Satisfaction Seattle the tenth anniversary (minus the pandemic pause) of offering a spot for trans and gender-diverse individuals and allies to have fun and join, a life-affirming expertise. 

“After I got here out as trans, I didn’t know some other trans individuals; it was isolating and lonely. The primary time I attended Trans Satisfaction in 2015 as a newly out trans particular person, I noticed hundreds of individuals like me being happy with who they had been, discovering pleasure collectively, and mobilizing round points to enhance circumstances for our communities,” mentioned Aprill-Tomlin. 

The expertise confirmed him that being trans may very well be a joyful and exquisite factor, which is a strong and life-saving message. And one which counters the narratives we see and listen to day by day — narratives that equate being trans with struggling or that trans individuals are doomed to die at a younger age by violence, “as if transness doesn’t additionally comprise magnificence, resilience, and knowledge. For many people, Trans Satisfaction Seattle is the one house a 12 months the place we might be wholly ourselves with out worry or disgrace. At Trans Satisfaction, we create lifelines for one another as we arrange towards a world keen to worth our humanity,” mentioned Aprill-Tomlin.

For extra particulars on the occasion, observe GJL’s Instagram (@GenderJusticeWA).

Trans Satisfaction Seattle additionally wants volunteers to assist with varied duties for the occasion, together with safety, merchandise, and services. Essentially the most pressing want is accessibility volunteers to assist attendees navigate the park as wanted. If you’re considering volunteering, don’t hesitate to get in contact with Laza@GenderJusticeLeague.org.

Patheresa Wells is a Queer poet, author, and storyteller who lives in SeaTac, Washington. Born to a Black mom and Persian father, her experiences as a multicultural baby formed her need to advocate for and amplify her group. She at present attends Highline Faculty in Des Moines. Comply with her on Twitter @PatheresaWells.

📸 Featured Picture: Members from the 2018 Trans Satisfaction Seattle march with indicators and banners. (Photograph: Andie Deroux, courtesy Gender Justice League)

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