Over 50 people gathered under the State House dome on Thursday to celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate transgender and non-binary people while also raising awareness about the important work that still needs to be done to ensure trans rights and flourishing. The event was organized by State Senator Tiara Mack (Democrat, District 6, Providence) and Haus of Codec, a group providing “safe and accessible spaces for our local Queer and BIPOC Communities.”

You can support Haus of Codec here.

Kimika Ross acted as emcee for the event.

GEM and their partner Julio “put together Haus of Codec knowing that for years in Rhode Island queer, transition age youth did not have a safe space to go if they were experiencing homelessness.”

“Transgender Day of visibility arose out of continued effort to show the world that the trans community is still here, and always has been,” said Charlotte Peters from Haus of Codec:

Jackie Goldman is a candidate for Providence City Council, Ward 5:

A musical interlude:

Damián Lima is a candidate with the Rhode Island Political Cooperative:

Damian is a poet:

The photos below and at the top of this piece are courtesy of and copyrighted by Selene Means: