Written by: Panagioti Tsiamis

Pictures by: Panagioti Tsiamis

Now, something meets Boy, and something meets Girl

They both look the same

They're overjoyed in this world

Same hair, revolution

Unisex, evolution

Tomorrow who's gonna fuss

And tomorrow Dick is wearing pants

And tomorrow Janie's wearing a dress

Future outcasts and they don't last

And today, the people dress the way that they please

The way they tried to do in the last centuries

(from Androgynous by the Replacements; performed by Adrian Lampron)

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In an effort to raise awareness for the transgender gender non-conforming community, the UW Gender and Sexuality Campus Center and the Madison Public Library hosted an open mic on November 15th. The event featured a slew of underrepresented voices across campus and the Madison community. These artists, poets, and genuinely amazing people had the opportunity to bring their stories forward, bravely and candidly, to a wonderfully receptive audience.

Transgender Awareness Week, typically observed in the second week of November, is a one-week celebration leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance, which occurs annually on November 20th. The purpose of Transgender Awareness Week is to educate about transgender and gender non-conforming people and the issues associated with their transition or identity. It also memorializes victims of transphobic violence.

This year’s open mic notably featured performer and poet Osimiri Sprowal. Sprowal (he/they) is an Afro-Indigenous, Two-Spirit, QueerCrip poet, model, and researcher. They are also a queer, disabled, homeless rights activist. Focusing on the physical body, Sprowal’s work deals with disability, trans identity, and self-transformation. Their poetry and performance center around the complex nature of one’s identity and spirituality, chronicling their journey to finding the divine within. They are the founder and President of an all-trans artist collective and has participated in multiple poetry slam competitions, consistently being recognized for their talent and activism. Their poetry, likewise, has made it into numerous literary publications and social commentary pieces.

While Sprowal certainly brought a recognized presence to the stage, it is important to note that many other individuals contributed to the important dialogue occurring that night. From songs about vaping in the gender-neutral bathroom, to soul-wrenching prose on behalf of T. S. Banks, there was something for everyone.

All in all, it was incredibly uplifting to see that, even in these trying times, the campus and Madison communities can be brought together to uplift the voices of the underrepresented and show compassion for people from all walks of life.

For more information about the event’s setlist, as well as pictures from the event, please see below.

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2019 Setlist:

Mattie, she/hers

T. S. Banks, he/him

Valiant Lakshmana-Krishna Jacob, he/him

Adrian Lampron, they/them

C. Smith, they/them

Wayne Gathright, he/him

Gideon Elliott, he/him

Osmiri Sprowal, he/they

Jay Adam W, he/him