Transgender Day of Visibility in Chattanooga

On April 5, 2025 - I found myself holding down a tent as the team at Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective fought the wind as they began setting up Chattanooga’s biggest ever Transgender Day of Visibility. As vendors trickled in, we all began to pitch in as a community to find whatever we could to add weight to tents to ensure we wouldn’t be blown away. 

As I stood on the stairs of ClearStory Arts, I watched as a community came together to support each other and most importantly, celebrate each other in a time where the rest of the world is actively trying to tear them down. For these hours though, there was no wind, rain, sunshine, or administration that could interfere in the joy, the laughter, the tears, the hugs, the singing and dancing of a community that has always existed and will always exist. 

Started in 2009, by Rachel Crandall-Crocker, Trans Day of Visibility was created to celebrate trans joy, both by the community and trans folx alike. Within 15 years, it has grown into an international celebration of trans joy. 

This year, with the Trump Administration removing the T from LGBTQ+ in a massive sweep - the thought of celebration was shadowed. With the uncertainty, and so many healthcare providers in Tennessee quietly dropping gender affirming care, the feelings of dread had many reaching out for any tendril of hope. That is why the Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective pushed forward - planning the biggest TDOV Chattanooga has ever seen. 

I had the honor of helping plan this special event. The event was completely DIY - Eleven Boaz, founder of the Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective, and team sourced donations, built a stage with the help of supplies from Barking Legs Theater, and even had the City of Chattanooga donate pop up tents. It was truly a community effort. 

As we stood with our backs braced against the wind whooping down Lookout Mountain, he told me why he decided to host this celebration specifically in Chattanooga.

Per usual, Boaz grinned and leaned in, “Because we exist here, and we deserve to be seen right where we are. I wanted our community to know: You have space here. You are loved here. No matter how hard things get—and they’ve been so hard—we’re here. We’re lovers, we’re creators, we’re your neighbors. We bring light, goodness, and care into this world, and we are not going anywhere. TDOV in Chattanooga wasn’t just an event—it was a declaration of presence, of belonging, and of radical joy in the face of everything that tries to dim our light.”

Hosted at ClearStory Arts, Trans Day of Visibility was an all day event . With over 30 vendors, performances, tattoo artists, and even a clothing swap with 250 in attendance, the entire parking lot and building was full of joy and laughter. Chattanooga Pride sponsored a grill out - feeding attendees at no cost. PFLAG volunteers grilled the food. Black Rainbow Movement hosted a vogue experience, teaching the audience about the importance of ballroom culture for the Black and Brown trans experience. Good Sister Studio offered gender affirming haircuts at no costs. There was truly something for all.

Eleven Boaz observed the importance of making this a market and performance experience, “Our people deserve more than just visibility—we deserve celebration, joy, and a place to shine. Things are so heavy right now, and I wanted our community to feel that big ol’ coming-together feeling. The market and performances were a way to show that we’re not just surviving—we’re creating, we’re thriving, we’re holding each other up. It was about building a space where we could witness each other’s brilliance, support each other’s work, and feel proud of who we are.”

While the future is uncertain – this moment in time where we held each other and celebrated will never be taken from us. TDOV showed us that the trans community in Chattanooga will continue to be celebrated and will continue to create, celebrate, and thrive. 

All photos by Kelly Lacy of Make Beautiful