Trans Northland Is Spreading Joy In Duluth

There is so much joy to celebrate in the transgender community. In the past decade, we have seen so much growth in this community, despite the challenges they have faced from all corners of society.

Is it time to celebrate? Of course. It is June – Pride month!

On June 10, Trans Northland invites you to celebrate at their second annual Trans Joy Festival to be held at Gichi-ode’ Akiing Park in downtown Duluth. The event is free and will feature “music, art, good food, healing practices, education/training, activities for kids and families,” among other activities, according to Sean Hayes, the Co-Founder and Chair of Trans Northland.

“This year,” explained Hayes, “we want the second annual Trans Joy Fest to be even bigger, and our goal is to reach even more of our trans, gender non-conforming and two spirit relatives. With the ongoing vicious attacks on trans people’s human rights in this country, Trans Northland wants to connect with and draw in as many folks as we can, into this safe and welcoming community that we are building together, here in the Northland.”

How much of an impact has this event made upon the trans community in the Twin Ports area? A trans youth named Preston told Hayes and Trans Northland: “Trans Joy Fest is really important to me because it shows how many people there are in the Trans community and it shows me about how many people care about me and the community.”

About the organization, Hayes explained that they have “found our role in the ecosystem of our Twin Ports area, by providing ways for people to connect into a safe and loving community.”

“We know that community connectedness is a primary protective factor when it comes to preventing violence,” explained Hayes, “so we are committed to creating spaces for our people to come together. We offer peer-to-peer support groups; advocacy and resource navigation; educational and training opportunities for businesses, non-profits, and community groups; and community events and social gatherings.”

As Alice, a trans woman, told Hayes and Trans Northland: “I’ve lived in the Twin Ports area for over a decade, and Trans Northland was always visible to me as a young person. It made me feel safe knowing that I was not alone in this community. Trans Northland exists to uplift and protect our powerful trans voices, which without support can often go overlooked.”

Another local trans woman, Diane, also testified to Trans Northland: “Trans Northland has made our community a much stronger and better place. I can speak firsthand when I say that the support provided literally saved my life. I was lost and unsure of what my world would bring as a fledgling trans woman, four years ago. Trans Northland helped me find my proper path and not only that….I found happiness.”

The organization began as the Lake Superior Transgender Group, founded by Nathalie Crowley, Shelby-Lyn James, Kathy Hermes, and other community members across the Twin Ports. The group started offering support groups to the community, and assisted to create and facilitate a Friends, Family & Allies group in the area.

From the original group, another organization called Trans Plus took up the community’s mantle in 2015. Hayes explained that they met “down in the basement of the Building For Women in downtown Duluth. Initially, we focused solely on providing support groups, twice a month. We continued to partner with the Trans+ Friends, Family & Allies group, facilitated by Kathy Hermes. As time passed and community needs became more apparent, we began to expand our reach and services.”

From there, the organization changed its name in 2022 to Trans Northland. The group broadened its focus to be more inclusive of all gender identities, including non-binary, gender non-conforming, and two spirit folks across the Twin Ports area.

The group’s evolution was not without some key events that would shape its future. “In May of 2021,” explained Hayes, “our community was rocked by the tragic loss of a beloved community advocate and my dear friend, Evan Adams. He died by suicide, and in the weeks to come, it felt like our entire queer community in the Northland was grieving his loss. He was deeply loved and cared for by all who knew him.”

According to Hayes, Adams “worked as a therapist and youth advocate at a local nonprofit called, Life House. One of his gifts was to being a meaningful presence in peoples’ lives and helping them find a good path forward when they were struggling. He was a compassionate anti-racist organizer and leader for the LGTBQ2+ community, and especially advocated for Black, Indigenous, & People of Color LGBTQ2+ folks. Evan was instrumental in the Duluth LGBTQ2+ conversion therapy ban that took effect in 2020. He had also been recently appointed to the newly formed NQT2SLGBIA Commission for the City of Duluth, which he helped to create.”

As a result of losing Evan, Hayes said that “our community came together in a powerful and healing way. Folks took care of people and showed up to support those of us experiencing deep grief. It was in this grief, a year later, that the idea for Trans Joy Fest was born.”

It is in Adams’ name and legacy that the Trans Joy Festival takes place in Duluth.

There is more at stake than just celebrating the lives of transgender people at the Trans Joy Festival. “For many trans and gender expansive people,” Hayes explained, “when we first get curious and begin exploring our gender identities, we feel alone. We fear we may be the only trans person in our area. By gathering people together to hold space and share our stories with each other, community members are able to find hope and create their own chosen families.”

Hayes continued to state that every day “trans and gender non-conforming folks struggle to survive in this community. Moments of joy are fleeting, as our community continues to come under attack, again and again.”

“The need for joy and connection within our gender expansive community could not be more important,” said Hayes.

June 10 is a busy for LGBTQ pride across Minnesota and state line communities. If you are in the Twin Ports area that day, celebrate joy with Trans Northland in Duluth. They will welcome you with an equal amount of joy in return.