In honor of International Trans Day of Visibility, artists are hosting a benefit concert supporting the nonprofit GenderNexus. Doors open at 5 p.m. on March 31 at Healer, 3631 E. Raymond St.
Performances will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and will include four drag numbers and six musical acts. Vendors will also be present. Tickets will be based on “pay what you can,” with 60% of proceeds going to GenderNexus. Contributions can also be made online through their website.
GenderNexus, established in 2014 to foster a safe, informed and supportive community of gender-diverse people and their loved ones, will be on hand to share information about services. Damien Center and Trans Solutions will also share resources.
“We wanted to do something for Trans Day of Visibility, so we’re bringing in talent and art, and having a day to relish in the community,” said José Martínez, an organizer of the event. “We want to show a big hug of support for our trans friends.”
The event will also commemorate the death of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man from Minnesota who was killed after being tortured in February.
Since 2010, International Trans Day of Visibility has been a way to counter negative news and depictions of trans people, who have often been misrepresented, portrayed as stereotypes in mainstream entertainment.
On both the federal and local stage, multiple executive orders and proposed legislation has targeted trans people, including those who have legally changed their names and gender markers through court orders and government IDs, the participation of trans children in athletics and gender-affirming care for children. There have also been anecdotal reports on local and national social media regarding trans people experiencing backlash firsthand.
“It’s a celebration, and also so urgent for Indianapolis-based artists and the community to show our love and support to our trans friends,” Martínez said.
Rebecca Berfanger is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach her at r.berfanger@gmail.com.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
