As March starts to unfold, we are gradually approaching Trans Week of Liberation. This coming week is important in a myriad of ways, and not solely to transgender students. On the Syracuse University campus, we are encouraged to practice acceptance in understanding how identity can be intersectional and complex. This is just one of many ways where this nuance is important. If this campus is a safer place for transgender students and staff, it is also safer for queer people in general, and furthermore, readily accepting of any and all identities.
Trans Week of Liberation will kick off with a plethora of events meant to bring students together and create a space where any student feels empowered enough to express their identity in the way they see fit.
Sunday, March 24
Trans Week of Liberation starts off with a Queer Pop-Up Closet Clothing Drop-Off in preparation for the actual pop-up closet event taking place over the course of the week— March 25-29.
Monday, March 25
On March 25 from 5-7 p.m., Jersey Cosantino will be here to speak on the subject of “Exploring Madness and Transness” with an emphasis on transgender identity and how it intersects with being disabled, whether that be a physical disability or a struggle with mental illness. This returns to the importance of overlapping identity and the necessity of a campus that is willing to accommodate individuals who span across varying backgrounds. A large amount of trans people, at one point or another, have felt subtly and incorrigibly isolated from their peers. It is known that trans people disproportionately struggle with diagnoses of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and other conditions that can intensify the severity of the tendency to feel alone. Talks like this are meant to cultivate community and allow people to feel seen.
Also taking place on March 25 is the Queer Pop-Up Closet kickoff and makeup workshop, from 7-8:30 p.m. This event is focused on style and self-expression, promoting enjoyment amongst all who attend and opening a space for them to gain inspiration for their appearance.
Tuesday, March 26
A workshop dedicated to “Exploring and Embracing Identity in the Working World” will commence on Tuesday, March 26, from 12:30-2 p.m., with resources and time meant to assist students in advocating for themselves in the workplace when it comes to their identity. This can be as simple as ironing out preferred names and pronouns to coworkers, but also extends to making your queerness work for you, including it in what you as a whole bring to the workplace. As more discussions are had about the ins and outs of gender identity and acceptance, the working world continues to be a potential stressor, and this workshop seeks to eliminate that worry by providing students with the skills to dominate discussions about their bodies and how they wish to be perceived while employed. This is not just a practice in feeling empowered in all aspects of life including work, but can be as dire as prioritizing the safety of trans students as they venture into their careers.
Wednesday, March 27
Trans Week of Liberation Open Mic Night will take place on March 27 from 6-7:30 p.m., lending ears and eyes to trans students and staff who use music, creative writing and poetry, and other spoken mediums to share their work with all who attend. In a similar vein to this event is The OutCrowd, a Syracuse University campus magazine “for queer students, led by queer students” that is currently open for creative submissions until late March. All who come to this event to share their work are strongly encouraged to submit their work to The OutCrowd. Further information can be found on the LGBTQ Resource Center’s Instagram.
Thursday, March 28
On March 28, Bishakh Som, an Indian and trans-femme comic artist, will be on campus discussing her experience with comics and how her identity channels into creating them at an event called Comics and Conversation.
Friday, March 29
Trans Week of Liberation concludes on March 29 with Knit 3 Spill the Tea at 3-4:30 p.m., with a Trans Week of Liberation Creative Space taking place directly afterward from 4:30-6 p.m. Those who attend the Creative Space event will be given a place to work on any creative projects or assignments they would like to complete with the company of their peers.
All of the above events are expected to be wonderful educational and community-directed opportunities that prioritize the mental and physical health of all students while supporting them and providing them with a platform. Attending the Trans Week of Liberation events is strongly encouraged as they are all very promising and exciting. Mark your calendars in advance!
Written By Del E Hendrick ’26, College of Arts and Sciences