Trans Pride Festival by Genderbands is in August

BY BLAIR HOWELL

Pride is for everyone. Representation comes from our communities, not from what we see in mainstream media. When every person in the community comes together, no matter their age, race, or physical or mental abilities, it allows us to live authentically and free. Pride is for everyone.

The nonprofit group Genderbands is holding its fourth annual Utah Trans Pride Festival on Aug. 12 for the first time since Covid. The Festival is one of only three transgender pride festivals in the country.

Genderbands supports the transgender, gender-nonconforming, and other gender-diverse communities in a variety of ways, largely by assisting with transition-related costs. They provide medical and non-medical grants, free binders, and social and educational activities.

Like the many other pride festivals, the Utah Trans Pride Festival will have a variety of vendors, live entertainment, and food. It is unique because they spotlight and celebrate the diverse transgender community by prioritizing trans vendors and entertainers.

The free event will include a pre-party the day before and an after-party the night of. The festival will offer a chill zone — a sensory-friendly space to decompress, a freebie/resource booth, and “pay it forward” opportunities. A well-known headline entertainer is about to be announced.

“I want to give opportunities to members of the trans community that they wouldn’t otherwise have.” founder Ian Giles explains. “Oftentimes, we see the same 50 vendors at a festival. I want to see something new! I want to see people who don’t or can’t come to Pride. Like the singer who only performs at a coffee shop, the young trans artist fundraising on Instagram, and people with disabilities that prevent from attending. I want to break down every barrier that would prevent anyone from participating in Pride.”

Some of the accessibility steps being taken are affordable vendor fees, putting booths by sidewalks for wheelchair access, food for people with dietary restrictions and allergies, as well as the previously mentioned chill zone.

With all of the anti-trans bills being pushed through in Utah and across the country, it’s more important now than ever to celebrate and stand with each other.

As a largely volunteer-run organization, Genderbands relies on donations from individuals, merchandise sales, sponsors, and funds raised at Utah Trans Pride.

One-time donations can be made at donorbox.org/ donate-to-genderbands. Recurring donations can be made at donorbox.org/ gbfriend. For more information visit genderbands. org/utahtranspride

Follow them on Instagram at @ genderbands, @utahtranspride, and @genderbandsutah. Also on Facebook and TikTok: @genderbands