TransFormation Building Community Through Stories Event

Special guest speaker, Miss Trans Illinois 2024 Colton Baumgartner

GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College's Diversity Council is sponsoring an upcoming event in partnership with Alton Pride, titled Trans-Formation: Building Community Through Stories.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Trimpe 141 on the Godfrey Campus. Donuts and pizza will be provided.

Special guest speaker, Miss Trans Illinois 2024 Colton Baumgartner, will share an empowering message about her journey, including a special announcement regarding a historic run for mayor of Granite City, Illinois.

"To my fellow trans individuals, I would like to share a message of empowerment that emphasizes self-love, self-acceptance, and the importance of living authentically and unapologetically," Baumgartner said. "Your identity is valid and worthy of celebration."

A panel discussion will take place from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a photo op with Miss Trans Illinois 2024 from noon to 12:30 p.m.

From 12:30 to 1 p.m., attendees will participate in a breakout session during which they can have intimate conversations, ask questions, and share stories in an informal setting.

Baumgartner said she is most passionate about advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, trans visibility, mental health awareness, and the fight against discrimination and violence toward transgender individuals.

L&C Associate Professor of Sociology Jen Cline said the primary purpose of this event is to bring people together and share stories about their experiences as trans people or having loved ones who are trans. Cline said she wants society to move beyond the political rhetoric of what it means to be trans.

"There is so much misinformation and oversimplification of this topic," Cline said. "At the end of the day, it is hurting people. I want to make a space for people to have dialogue that moves beyond rhetoric."

Cline said that as a cis woman, she has made sure to run everything by the wonderful team with Alton Pride and Baumgartner to ensure that the event allows participants to feel safe and respected. Cline would like to thank Anissa-Marie Sutton from Alton Pride and her team for reviewing the event's activities.

The event's speakers include trans men and women, genderqueer folx, parents of trans people, and those in loving relationships with trans people. A representative from the Center for Growing Justice in St. Louis, along with parents from PFLAG Edwardsville, will be in attendance.

Baumgartner said her journey to participating in the Miss Trans Illinois Pageant was sparked by a desire to amplify the voice and visibility of the transgender community in the pageantry world and set an example for trans youth.

"Trans youth, you are worth it no matter what," Baumgartner said. "I am living proof that you can be who you are, be happy, and still live a great life."

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