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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 1d

It was great to have you there, and it was an amazing day!

Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 2d

October is LGBTQIA+ History Month!

We are highlighting global trans and nonbinary identities both in history and enduring today.

Today we are highlighting some of the many transgender and nonbinary traditions found in Southeast Asia including Kathoey, Acault, Bakla, Calabai, Calalai, and Bissu.

Infographic with blue to white gradient background and photograph of a transgender person with decoratively ornamented hair and striking makeup. Text says: Trans Up Front | Trans & Nonbinary World History | Southeast Asia | Many Southeast Asian countries have their own words and roles for people assigned male at birth but displaying strongly feminine characteristics, like the Waria in Indonesia, the Kathoey in Thailand, and the Acault in Myanmar. In the Philippines, the Bakla even have their own language called swardspeak which mixes Filipino, English, and Spanish with a feminine inflection. In Indonesia, they recognize five genders: men, women, Calabai (someone born with male physical characteristics but having a feminine gender identity), Calalai (someone born with female physical characteristics but having a masculine gender identity), and Bissu (“transccendent gender” encompassing either all genders or none at all). Bissu serve ritual roles sometimes equated with priests.

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 2d

October is LGBTQIA+ History Month!

We are highlighting global trans and nonbinary identities both in history and enduring today.

Today we are highlighting the transgender traditions of the Maori people

Blue to white gradient background with photo of a Maori trans woman and trans man. Text says: Trans Up Front | Trans & Nonbinary World History | New Zealand | The Maori people of New Zealand accepted those who did not fit their assigned gender at birth, calling them Whakawahine for those assigned male at birth who preferred the company of women and take up traditionally feminine occupations such as weaving, and Wakatane for those assigned female at birth and pursued traditionally masculine roles such as becoming a warrior or doing physical labor.

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 2d

October is LGBTQIA+ History Month!

We are highlighting global trans and nonbinary identities both in history and enduring today.

Today we are highlighting some of the many Pacific Island traditions including the Mahu, Fa'afafine, and Fakaleiti.

Infographic with blue to white gradient background. Photo of a stoic looking Hawaiian nonbinary or trans person with a feminine appearance, hair up in a bun ,wearing a blue, white, and red dress with open sides. Text says: Trans Up Front | Trans & Nonbinary World History | Pacific Islands | Many Pacific Island communities have their own traditions for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.
In Hawaii and Tahiti the Kanaka Maoli indigenous society honored the Māhū, people who existed between or encompassed both masculine and feminine traits.
In Samoa, the Fa’afafine, and in Tonga, the Fakaleiti, were people assigned male at birth but displayed a strong feminine personality and adopted feminine dress, mannerisms, and social roles.
In many societies, they were honored as sacred teachers of hula, performers, and holders of ancient traditions and rituals."

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 2d

One week ago, TUF and TMASC hosted Fall Into Fun TGNC Family Field Day; a day of community, joy, games, arts & crafts, music, performances, and more!

Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, performers, and everyone who came.

We're already looking forward to next year!

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 3d

Our first annual TGNC Family Field Day was an amazing success! Over a hundred people attended, participating in throw-back sports, arts & crafts, entertainment, and so much more!

Remember: choosing joy in dark times is a radical act.

Thank you to volunteers, sponsors, and attendees!

Giant wood scrabble pieces on grass spelling TUF*TMASC with six piles of unused letters below

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 16d

Join us next Sun, Oct. 12th for a FREE day of community, joy, & belonging. We’re thrilled to share our schedule of events, packed with games, activities, speakers, & fun.

So bring your friends, family, and chosen family, and let’s make memories together!

www.transupfrontil.com/fieldday

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 19d

🌈✨ Happy LGBTQ+ History Month from Trans Up Front IL! ✨🌈
All month long we’ll be sharing trans historical facts to honor our past and uplift our community’s legacy. 💖

Follow along, learn with us, and celebrate the beauty of our community. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 26d

Are you getting excited about our upcoming field day? I know we are! Check out some of our wonderful sponsors!

Register for FREE today! www.transupfrontil.com/fieldday

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 27d

Get excited! Field day is only a couple weeks away! Be part of creating trans joy and become a sponsor.

Learn more at www.transupfrontil.com/sponsorfield...

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 28d

🚨 CALL TO ACTION: TODAY at 7pm! 🚨
Stand with TGNC youth & families in Marengo, IL against District 165’s plan to host anti-trans speaker Dr. Kathy Koch. The district paid for this event violating separation of church & state & the Illinois Human Rights Act.

✊ Show up. Speak out. Protect our youth.

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 29d

🍦✨ Join us TODAY, Monday Sept 22nd at Jeni’s Ice Cream in Andersonville to raise money for Trans Up Front! ✨🍦

Come grab a scoop, support TGNC youth & families, and be part of uplifting trans joy in our community. Every cone counts! 💜

📍 Jeni’s Andersonville
📅 3pm-6pm

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · 29d

🌟 Call for Volunteers! 🌟

Joy is an act of resistance—help us build a day of community & trans joy at Fall into Fun: TGNC Family Field Day on Oct 12! 🍂

Volunteer for logistics, sports, art projects & more. Got an idea? We’d love to hear it!

👉 Sign up here: forms.gle/NVX8C7VeYcYk...

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Sep 11

We’re so excited to be in Decatur this weekend for Decatur Pridefest! 🎉
✨ Stop by our booth for:
📸 A fun photo booth
🎡 Trivia wheel prizes
📚 Resources + info
🛍️ Merch and more!

💜 We’re also looking for a few more volunteers—come be part of the TUF team!
Sign up here: forms.gle/7y5LHtQ9Nu2p...

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Sep 11

🚨 Only 4 days left! 🚨

Don’t miss your chance to apply for the TUF Ambassador Program with Trans Up Front IL! 🏳️‍⚧️ This is your opportunity to help shape programs, uplift your community, and be a voice for TGNC youth.

Apply now and join us in making a difference
👉 www.transupfrontil.com/tufambassador

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Sep 7

🚨 Trump’s threats of “war” on Chicago endanger all families—especially immigrants, refugees, and TGNC youth. Trans Up Front stands united: every child and every family deserves safety and dignity. Protecting the most vulnerable is powerful resistance.

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Sep 5

🍂✨ Fall into Fun: TGNC Family Field Day! ✨🍂

Join us for a FREE day of games, laughter, & community for transgender, nonbinary, & gender-nonconforming folks + families.

📅 Sun, Oct 12, 11am
📍 Madison Meadows Park, Lombard IL
💛 All ages welcome!

Register free ➡️ www.transupfrontil.com/fieldday

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 31

Across Illinois and the nation, trans youth are under attack.
Join us in our continued fight to protect trans youth lives!

✊🏽 Trans youth deserve care. ✊🏽 Trans youth deserve safety. ✊🏽 Trans youth deserve to live. ✊🏽 Trans healthcare is a human right.

mobilize.us/s/EbuDxk

Event flier with white background and trans flag smudge. Text says: "Unite for Trans Youth Lives Rally & Protest | Sunday, August 10 1PM, Federal Plaza, Chicago" with logos from Brave Space Alliance, CTC, Indivisible Chicago, and Trans Up Front IL

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 31

Looking for an awesome comedy event tomorrow night with funds raised going to support Trans Up Front?! Come hang out with us and see an amazing, inclusive, interpreted standup comedy showcase tomorrow at My Buddy's, 7pm!

www.exploretock.com/mybuddys/eve...

Event flier with brick background and spotlights. Text says: "Chuckles for Charity Standup Comedy Showcase Friday August 1st, 7PM" in neon light-looking text. "Benefiting Trans Up Front Illinois, Location My Buddy's Chicago, 4416 N Clark St. ASL Interpreted Show. Reservations available at MyBuddysChicago.com"

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 31

Last night, we had the deep honor of having our Executive Director, Asher McMaher, sitting in community with transgender and gender nonconforming individuals for a critical conversation following the State of Emergency for Transfemicide issued in Chicago.

www.chicago.gov/city/en/dept...

A group of 7 diverse people inside of a park district meeting room. From the left: Asher McMaher, a transmasc nonbinary person with light skin, dark curly hair, wearing a Trans Up Front Shows Up shirt with flannel over, blue jeans, and grey shoes. Kelly Cassidy, a light skinned woman with light skin and her hair in a ponytail, wearing a pink buttonup, grey pants, and brown shoes. Next is an asian woman with grey hair, a tan suit coat over a fun stripy dress and sneakers. Next is a curley haired woman wearing all black with light skin. Next is Silas, a transmasc person with light skin and curly dark hair wearing a black and white striped button down, tan shorts, and using a mobility scooter. Next is a darker skinned woman with dark brown hair, a white suit, with a pink shirt and heels. Last is a black woman with braids or locs holding a blue folder, wearing a floral light colored dress, black sweater, and sneakers.

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 28

You can:

Sign up to volunteer: www.transupfrontil.com/takeaction
Join a committee: www.transupfrontil.com/committee
Support the work we do: www.transupfrontil.com/donate
AND join our mailing list to find out about more awesome events to attend: www.transupfrontil.com

Get Involved | Trans Up Front IL

www.transupfrontil.com

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 28

Trans Up Front deals with some pretty heavy things, especially right now, but we also know how to have FUN! Here's our Accessibility Advisory Board members, leadership, and volunteers at the Disability Pride Parade yesterday!

Do you want to get involved?

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 28

Interested in contributing to our accessibility fund specifically, donate here: givebutter.com/DPDayof

Disability Pride: Accessibility Fund

By Trans Up Front Illinois

givebutter.com

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 28

We had an AMAZING drag show with performers with disabilitiefor Disability Pride Month. We raised funds for our Accessibility Fund not just for Trans Up Front but for other organizations who need assistance making their work more accessible, whether it's ASL interpreters, using portable ramps, etc.

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Trans Up Front @transupfrontil.com · Jul 25

🥳📣 Looking for something fun to do in Chicago tomorrow? Come check us out in the Chicago Disability Pride Parade or show up early and come walk or ride with us! There'll also be a resource fair at the end.

For more details including route, go to disabilityprideparade.org

Event flier with multicolor confetti on a white background. In the center is a large blue circle outline with text inside saying "Sat. July 26, 2025 11 AM in the Loop | 22nd annual Chicago Disability Pride Parade | Celebrate ADA 35th Year! | Details at disabilityprideparade.org"

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