To an outsider, the festivities at Volunteer Park may have seemed like nothing more than a joyous celebration. Children danced in the rain to live music and performances. Vendors passed around free food to people in bright pastel clothing.
But Friday's festive community celebration was an act of resistance. The event gave Trans people the opportunity to show how beautiful, resilient, and determined they are to resist conservative politicians' attacks.
Performers with purpose
Trans people of all ages gathered at the park to celebrate and be with one another. Event organizer Lotus set the tone for the evening and reminded attendees that the simple act of Trans joy is a statement in "a country where 47 states introduced 490 bills that attempt to make [life] a living hell, particularly for Trans youth."
"This country is legislating hate into our laws, and we are here to prevent that from happening," Lotus continued. "We are also here to celebrate. We are here to celebrate our resilience and joy as active resistance."
The festivities began with a live performance by Devorah the Maccabee, a Trans-Jewish anarchist who led the crowd in chants of "Hey, hey fuck the police." Gleeful Trans kids rushed to the front of the stage to sing along with the catchy tunes.
The next performer was Aleyanna Grae. With a voice as sweet as honey, they soothed the crowd with enchanting songs about self-care, sexual hygiene, and community love. Young people joined hands to spin and sway along. The venue was full of smiles by the time Grae, who sounded like Ariana Grande with better pitch, left the stage.
"I want to live my life and be happy"
With the crowd fully pumped, it was time to ignite the rage that boiled under the surface of every Trans person and ally in attendance. Local activist Bryn captivated everyone with their strong words and a reminder of what's at stake. "I'll be honest, I don't want to be up here. I don't want to march. I don't want to have to fight for my rights. I want to live my life and be happy," they said.
Bryn's speech intentionally drew parallels to the Nazi regime. They included a swift call to action for Gov. Jay Inslee to publicly stand against "rampant anti-Queer legislative action in the US... [and] establish Washington state as a refugee state for people fleeing hateful laws, [and provide] accessible gender-affirming healthcare protections... for all healthcare workers."
Bryn wrapped up their speech by calling on all non-Trans people to pay attention. "If you're not Trans but you are Queer and support these bills, I ask you, who do you think they will come for next? If you are a woman and support these bills, along with everything else that has already been forced upon you, what do you think they will do when they're done with us?"
The Trans kids are all right
After their powerful words, the music started up again, with performances by some of Seattle's best drag artists. First, Siren St. James did a hilarious and political lip-sync to "What's Going On?" She was followed by an effervescent ballad by Solana Solstice. Finally, crowd favorite king Sid Seedy brought an energy only matched by a group of theater kids with too much Red Bull. Seedy was a hit among the Trans youth, one of whom called out, "I love your gender!" as the entertainer pranced across the stage.
The children in attendance were enthralled by all the drag performers. One young child stood at the corner of the stage and looked on adoringly as Solstice sashayed around in glitter and frills. The child's parents had to hold them back from rushing the stage to join in. Older kids whooped and hollered for every hair flip, costume change, and middle finger held up to the GOP. Their star-struck reactions to all the performances (which rivaled any Harry Styles or Taylor Swift show) proved that LGBTQ+ youth deserve to see more Queer and Trans role models in their lives.
After the show wrapped up, local punk band Gender Envy rocked the park. The band had everyone excited before they even started playing when the drummer, Archie, ripped off his shirt. Lead vocalist Cass encouraged all the Trans kids to form a mosh pit and led the gathering in a cathartic scream during their final number. Gender Envy's performance was a pivotal moment for any young Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids in the crowd who may have missed the emo craze of the 2010s.
Fighting for their community
Molly Vaughn, watched as the young people celebrated with a smile on her face.
"We're here because the future that my generation thought they were building for Trans youth is being erased and destroyed," she said. "We have to fight and be visible in order to push back against the bigotry, the transphobia, and the hatred that is being spewed at us by certain members of our society. Children's lives are on the line. Families are on the line. We have to fight for them."
Everyone showed up to the party with determination. "I am here today to stand with my Trans siblings in collaboration, to work against and voice our issues with our current state in the United States," Sunny Shanjani added. "We, as a community, have been targeted and harassed on a regular basis. It's time that we not only take a stand but make it known that we're not going anywhere. We're here, we've been here for a million years, and we'll be here for a million years. There's no way this is the end."
Following the event, Lotus led everyone in a march to Cal Anderson Park. Trans people and allies chanted together, lifted their flags and signs, and called out to let everyone know that they will always exist.
While the March for Trans Lives recognized the dangerous reality of Trans people in the US, the sorrow did not last long. In one breath, speakers mourned the loss of murdered Trans siblings, and in the next, they screamed, danced, and laughed with one another.
Showing love for each other and themselves, the Trans community united on Friday, March 31. At Volunteer Park, Trans kids were celebrated, Queer couples held hands, punk bands jammed, everyone chanted "Fuck the police," and the world kept turning.