The 160 anti-Trans laws proposed in the first month of 2025 have many feeling bleak about the future. However, one man sees an opportunity to educate, advocate — and urinate. Colorado-based comedian Ren Quillian Dawe will kick off the first leg of his national comedy tour, "Here to Pee," in March, with stops in Seattle, Portland, and Boise.

By going to every state, Dawe is making history, becoming the first Trans performer to do so. He's also partnering with local nonprofits to donate the proceeds from ticket sales to the Trans communities he visits.

At first, he planned on hitting the most Transphobic states. "I originally wanted to go to all the states that had [anti-Trans] legislation proposed, and then when we looked... It was most of them," he said in an exclusive interview with the SGN. "It seems silly to go to 42 out of 50 states, so we were like, you know what, what if we just did all 50?"

He solidified the plan after nearly getting assaulted in a public bathroom in Colorado. "That was surprising ... in the place I live. It was frightening to be in a sketchy situation," he said. "I was lucky someone walked in at the right time.

"That shook me and made me want to hide away, [but] it also made me realize that I see so much change in people when they are exposed to Trans people, Trans stories, and Trans opinions. I also saw just how physically dangerous it can be when people are [prevented] from hearing those stories, experiences, and points of view. That can escalate to physical violence.

"And, man, I'm just here to pee."

Other performers

When the tour was just a blurb in Dawe's journal, he decided to reach out to some of his favorite comedians. "I had a dream lineup: who are the funniest people in the country I know about?" he said. "And I hit up five people: Juno Men, Charlie Girard, Carlos Kareem Windham, Joe John Sanchez, and Dahlia Belle. Within a day, they all got back to me, and every single one of them said yes. That was a sign from the universe that this is meant to happen."

Dawe is proud of the artists who have agreed to participate, including documentarian Joe Raffa, who will film it. "Trans creators are taking this so seriously. People are putting their careers and lives on the line to make jokes about current affairs [and] raise money and awareness."

While Dawe's been featured on NPR, Broadway, and Hollywood, Dawe is incredibly excited to return to Seattle. "It will not take you long to realize [the PNW lineup] are probably some of the best comedians in the country at this very moment. I feel superbly lucky to work with them," he said.

Dangerous work

Here to Pee will be at the Rendezvous in Seattle on March 7, Portland on March 10, and Boise on March 6. All proceeds from the Seattle show will go to the Gender Justice League. Additional donations can be made directly to a bail fund for performers who may face fines or jail time for using public bathrooms in certain states.

"Whenever bathroom legislation has been passed, we are going out of our way to break those rules," Dawe explained. "We had to figure out ... bail money for our performers, which is the first time as a producer I've ever had to do that."

While Trans Americans are facing many dark times ahead, Dawe hopes that Here to Pee can help them financially and spiritually, with a bit of laughter. "I know we are looking at an intense administration and a lot of hurdles, especially for the Trans community," he said. "So we should be doing anything we can to fortify ourselves and build our resilience. The best way I know to do that is to laugh, to make jokes about it, and come together and alchemize what we know to be hateful and amusing and empowering for our community.

"I hope people can buy tickets and come out and support us, support these amazing nonprofits [and] performers, and each other, as we're about to go into something kind of heavy. I believe laughter saves lives. I believe it to my absolute core, and we're hoping people can come out and laugh."

For ticket information, go to https://www.renqcomedy.com/heretopee.