Around 50 people gathered on the lawn of Public Space One Close House for Trans Visibility Day on Saturday April 2. The event was hosted by the LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library, which will soon be reopening at Close House.
Speakers condemned recent waves of anti-trans legislation in Iowa, including the law that bars trans girls from participating in women’s and women’s sports from kindergarten through college.
Crowd members spoke of the support they found in the Iowa City community and in trans-friendly spaces, as well as the importance of trans representation. Supporters carried signs chanting, “Trans rights are human rights!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, transphobia has to go!”
Jane Sailor-Morey and Heidi Sailor-Morey listen to speakers at the Transgender Awareness Day Gathering at Public Space One Close House on Saturday, April 2, 2022 in Iowa City, Iowa. The event was organized by the Iowa LGBTQ Archives and Library, which will soon be opening at the Close House. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
Logan Shoviak, president of the University of Iowa Trans Alliance, speaks at the gathering about discovering his own identity as a non-binary trans man, thanks to support spaces like the Trans Alliance. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
Maddie Hoberg holds 1-year-old Cillian Hoberg and waves a Pride flag at the rally. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
A participant holds a sign that reads: “Someone you know is trans, we’re here!” — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
Participants brave the wind and cold to gather on the lawn of Public Space One Close House. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
A trans pride flag flutters in the wind. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
Amrei Blaesing talks about the strong community she found in Iowa City. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
Jane Sailor-Morey and his wife Heidi Sailor-Morey make a sign that says, “Someone you live with is trans.” — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
Callie Trainor pets two dogs at the rally. She also went to the microphone and told the crowd about her lemonade. Callie is the daughter of Geneviève Trainor, the publisher of Little Village Magazine. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
Participants listen to speakers during the rally. — Adria Charpentier/Petit Village
