Utah Trans Pride is one of only 3 in the nation

LGBTQ festivals are regularly enjoyed in more U.S. cities than can be counted. But there are only three exclusively transgender-focused annual festivals.

Sponsored by the nonprofit charity Genderbands, Utah Trans Pride addresses the unique needs of the trans community amid the ever-increasing number of states limiting transgender rights, such as vital health care. While produced virtually during the pandemic, the Aug. 12, 2023 festival will be the organization’s fourth consecutive event.

Utah Trans Pride, like many other Pride gatherings, will have a variety of vendors and food trucks, with a large array of popular live performers, assuring the event will be enjoyed beyond the transgender community. Allies are encouraged to support this small, underserved subset of the queer community — an even smaller subset of society as a whole. (According to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA, about 1.6 million people 13 or older in the United States, or 0.6 percent, identify as transgender.)

Headline performer queer artist whatever mike is recognized as an inspirational and captivating singer-songwriter who blends genres like indie pop, electronic, and hip-hop with a spiritual twist. To promote their latest project, the EP release of “Words to the Trees,” the artist has toured nationally with AJR and Lawrence and played many popular festivals, including Lollapalooza, Firefly, Bonnaroo, Governor’s Ball, and major pride events across the country.

Joining whatever mike on the festival stage will be singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, and visual artist Marqueza. Their music ranges in genre, but recurring themes in Marqueza’s songwriting center around affirmation, self-love, healing, and growth as a queer artist of color and is influenced by a wide range of styles ranging from r&b, jazz, rock, pop, punk, experimental, electronic and Japanese city pop.

“I’m very excited about the lineup we have for this festival,” said entertainment director Oakley Fielder. “Almost all of our performers are Utah locals and identify as trans or have group members who are trans.”

The scheduled entertainers also include DJ Snowdragon, Somebody/Anybody, Zaza Van Dyke & Something Special, Cheer Salt Lake, Lavender Menaces Brass, MTNT CLRY, and Bomba Marilé.

There will also be many popular entertainers at the afterparty at The Rise in downtown Provo. Doors will open at 8 p.m., with performances beginning at 9 p.m. Opening the show at the 21+ party will be DJ Conceptualmilf, with go-go dancers and local drag performers, and drag troupes. Tickets are $10 each and are only available for purchase online.

The evening will end with a performance by Talia Keys, whose latest album, “Lessons,” from Talia Keys & the Love, unveils a kaleidoscopic vision of the artist. She has performed with recording artist/actor Billy Porter, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, and Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn.

While based in Utah, Genderbands supports the transgender, gender-nonconforming, and other gender-diverse communities in the northern states in a variety of ways, largely by assisting with transition-related costs. The services include medical and non-medical grants, free binders, and social and educational activities.

What sets apart Utah Trans Pride from other major festivals is the main event is free, along with being family-friendly and completely accessible.

“There are two things I’m most excited for at Utah Trans Pride this year: having such a massive gathering of trans and non-binary folx and having an accessible festival.”

Emphasis will be made on breaking down barriers that might prevent anyone from participating in Trans 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 a sensory-friendly “chill zone” space to decompress, along with a freebie/resource booth and “pay it forward” opportunities.

Along with the Aug. 12 festival at Provo Memorial Park from noon to 6 p.m. and the after-party, another fun event is scheduled the evening before.

On Friday, Aug. 11, proceeds from a Matrons of Mayhem Bingo Night at the First Baptist Church in Salt Lake City will be donated to Genderbands. At the family-friendly, general-admission evening, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and bingo beginning at 7 p.m., $5 bingo cards will be available for purchase.

“Aside from when we are protesting for our lives or gathering in remembrance of our lost trans family, I can’t think of another time there’s been this many trans people in one spot,” Genderbands founder and executive director Ian Giles explained. “It will be amazing to be able to be together to celebrate instead of mourn.”

“Utah Trans Pride is put on by and benefits Genderbands, which serves North America,” added the genderqueer/non-binary/trans-masculine Giles. “It’s wonderful to think about the local queer community coming together to lift up trans people in multiple countries. One person really can make a difference, and every person that attends Utah Trans Pride or its other activities is helping make a difference in a transgender person’s life.”

Entertainment

whatever mike

The project “Word to the Trees” is a celebration of being and a meditation on oneness. The project is a wake-up call to live now. To be whatever we are – all the things we are – and we are everything – now. “Word to the Trees” laments humanity’s devastation of the planet, while holding space for the possibility of new beauty and healing. “Don’t fuck with my hope.” With sonic and lyrical textures reminiscent of Frank Ocean, Francis and the Lights, and Sam Smith, “Word to the Trees” blends pop musicality and soulful vocals with queer spirituality and vulnerability. Previously signed to S-Curve/ BMG Records as Michael Blume. Their debut single, “Manufactured Love” rose to #6 on the Spotify Viral chart, and between 2015 and 2020, they gained 20M+ streams, toured nationally, and released several projects on the label. Mike spent the pandemic writing “Word to the Trees” in the Yucca Valley desert. During this time, they became a dedicated meditator and had a series of spiritual awakenings that led them to come out as a trans person and write “Word to the Trees,” their first release as an independent artist.

Marqueza (THEY)

Japanese-Venezuelan singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, and visual artist Marqueza has been a natural performer and creative force since childhood. Identifying as gender-fluid and genre-fluid, they are influenced by a wide range of styles ranging from r&b, jazz, rock, pop, punk, experimental, electronic, Japanese city pop, and more. Mostly self-taught, Marqueza writes intuitively through improvisation, utilizing a pitch-perfect ear and natural sensitivities to sound and to create gently flowing and emotional soundtracks. Their music ranges in genre, but recurring themes in their songwriting center their experiences around affirmation, self-love, healing, and growth as a queer artist of color.

Talia Keys (SHE/HER, THEY/THEM)

A genre-crossing multi-instrumental musical force of performing art brings her brand of soul-funk-rock n’ roll. If Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix had a musical child together, they’d no doubt be an artist like Talia Keys. This Salt Lake City “musical powerhouse” is known for sourcing big rock n’ roll energies reminiscent of the bluesy rawness of Janis and the fire of Jimi. Groovin’ on that old soul vibe with new school sounds, best described as “blistering,” having been “struck by her talent, stage presence, and refreshing candor.” An award-winning songwriter and filmmaker, Talia is on a mission to bring balance, fierce advocacy for the underrepresented, and provide relevant content that connects to her listeners.

DJ Snowdragon / SnowDragon

Tolman (SHE/HER)

Born and raised in Utah, DJ Snowdragon has mixed music online for 15 years and now does regular karaoke in the Ogden and Layton area, as well as weddings, parties, and events for the last four years. She came out in 2018 after living as society wished for 46 years. She is now living her authentic self and working to educate others about what it means to be transgender, as well as helping those still closeted or newly out to find their path, and doing so by being completely open about who she is and un-offended by any honest question and desire to understand. There are no wrong questions, asked honestly, other than the question unasked.

Somebody/Anybody

A high-energy indie/alternative rock band born and raised in Utah. With MJ Grey singing vocals, Kendra Jones on bass, Hillary McDaniel on drums and Moon Ray on lead guitar, the upbeat songs and catchy riffs get people moving and the good vibes flowing. Their sound is rooted in 90s-style grunge and alternative rock with a modern pop flair, danceable beats, and lyrics that might get stuck in your head (in the best way). Their message is one of positivity, community, perseverance, and friendship. Somebody/Anybody knows how to bring the fun, and they promise you’ll leave our show feeling more joyful than when you arrived.

Zaza Historia VanDyke & Something Special (ZAZA: SHE/HER)

Zaza Historia VanDyke is a poc, trans femme, parent, performer, songwriter and artist from Ogden, Utah. You can find zaza anywhere she can be loud and proud with an instrument in hand, either playing upright bass for “The BackYard Revival” or playing guitar and singing her own original music. She’s the girl at every campfire and party, singing and playing acoustic guitar, In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find Zaza without a guitar close by. Zaza’s greatest inspirations are the people surrounding her in life, who’ve pushed her and supported her music, and her love of the world and atmosphere around her. With her band, something special, they are a rock trio with drums, bass, and guitar/vox.

Cheer Salt Lake

Established in 2011, Cheer Salt Lake is the only adult, charitable cheerleading team in Salt Lake City. As a proud founding member of the Pride Cheerleading Association, Cheer Salt Lake raises money and cheers for the advancement of LGBTQIA+ causes in the community.

Lavender Menaces Brass Collective

A new Salt Lake City-based performance artist collective dedicated to the empowerment of women, non-binary and trans people. Our community welcomes all marginalized artists to freely express their creative talents as we break society’s expectations for who is allowed to take up space by fiercely and unapologetically bringing high-energy brass music and visual arts to the streets and our community.

Kaden “MTNT CLRY” Bailess (HE/HIM)

A transgender man from Salt Lake City who grew up playing the piano. Some of his best memories are from playing Christmas music in the old Cottonwood Mall every year. Always being around DJs and music producers as an adult, Kaden caught the EDM bug and submersed himself into any and all genres of music. He bought his first DJ controller during Covid as a way to cope with the lockdown. He currently has a monthly residency at Millcreek Common, has played at Boomerang’s Down Under, and has been hired for multiple private events.

Bomba Marilé

Established in November 2017, Bomba Marilé shares Afro-Puerto Rican traditions of bomba music and dance with the greater Utah community. Since their initiation, they’ve organized bomba workshops with visiting instructors, social events including dominos and picnics, and educational activities, including showing documentaries discussing issues related to Puerto Rico. Bomba Marilé has had the opportunity to perform at various cultural events throughout Utah, including the Living Traditions Festival, West Side Dance Cinco de Mayo Festival, Mondays at the Park, and the Utah County Fair. They are grateful for the opportunity to highlight their musical traditions from Puerto Rico and to share them with those who support the cultural arts.

Matrons of Mayhem

A camp drag queen troupe dedicated to raising money for various charities, Matrons of Mayem sponsors Third Friday Bingo each month at the First Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, raising tens of thousands of dollars a year for various charities. They also sponsor smaller events at Club Try-Angles on the first Sunday of the month, where they can let their mouths be a bit more loose. They are the hostesses with the mostesses for the Big Gay Fun Bus running from October through April. You also might find them walking the streets of Park City during Sundance, QSaltLake Day at Lagoon, the Utah Pride Festival, and anywhere else elegant people may be in number. They’ve also been known to pop up at fundraisers for Salt Lake Acting Company, Equality Utah, Planned Parenthood and other fabulous charities.

About Genderbands

As a largely volunteer-run organization, Genderbands relies on donations from individuals, merchandise sales, sponsors, and funds raised at Utah Trans Pride. The vast majority of the vendors at the festival are trans- and non-binary-owned small businesses.

One-time donations can be made at donorbox.org/donate-to-genderbands. Recurring donations at donorbox.org/ gbfriend. For more information, visit genderbands.org/utahtranspride. And follow Genderbands on Instagram at @ genderbands, @utahtranspride, and @ genderbandsutah — and on Facebook and TikTok at @genderbands.

Full information on Genderbands and Utah Trans Pride Festival can be found on the website, https:// www.genderbands.org/utahtranspride.