On the evening of April 14, 2021, approximately 90 people of all ages from the West Chester area gathered in the spitting rain at the Chester County Courthouse on 2 North High St. Some brought their families and children, and some brought just themselves and a homemade sign, but they all brought support for the protection of transgender people, particularly trans children.
The event, called All Kids Belong, was a public event hosted by Chester County Marching Forward (CCMF), a local group focused on making the community a better place through their fight for progressive change, in addition to other groups, including Trans-Parent, West Chester Alliance for Social Justice, PFlag and LGTBQ+ CC Alliance.
Following 90 recent attacks on the trans community via state legislation in 28 states across the U.S., these organizations sought to hold space for folks to gather and demand action from politicians. They also sought to share their support and solidarity with the trans community as they navigate these challenges, including those posed by Pennsylvania state legislator Martina White, who has proposed a bill which would bar trans girls from participating in women’s sports across schools in the state of PA.
Starting with district representative Dianne Herrin, the hour-long event hosted numerous speakers who shared their experience and their passion for protecting trans children.
“We will not allow them to legislate away our children’s identity,” Herron declared before passing the microphone to Jeanne Dickenson.
Dickenson, a trans, nonbinary artist who is local to the West Chester area, shared their experience growing up in a world that places so much emphasis on a gender binary, explaining how they felt isolated and uncomfortable in their own body until they understood what it meant to be trans, and then everything made sense.
Following right behind Dickenson was Stacy Stone, the mother of a transgender child, and Brian Sims, a state representative and member of the LGBTQ+ community, both of whom urged the crowd to understand just how much their voice matters in the ongoing fight for trans safety.
“We are going to win this battle,” Sims stated. “And we’re going to win this battle because of moms and teachers and neighbors and kids just like Jeanne…”
State Sen. Carolyn Comitta took the stage and reminded everyone that Pennsylvania does not have any statewide protections for the LGBTQ+ community. She also spoke about how West Chester passed the first anti-discrimination ordinance in the Commonwealth in April of 2006. She assured the crowd that this bill will not pass and that “we are moving in the right direction.”
Up next was Carrie Stare, a board member for the LGBTQ Equality Alliance of Chester County and candidate for the West Chester Area School District school board. She sent a message of love and solidarity for the transgender community before passing the microphone to Lilia Weber, a transgender software engineer and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce.
Weber described herself as a “late bloomer,” having transitioned on the job after a decades-long career. She emphasized that extremist hate groups are behind bills like the one White is trying to pass, and that the so-called “Protect Women’s Sports Act” is not meant to protect anyone. She concluded by assuring transgender youth that they are seen, heard and that people like her will continue to fight for them.
The last speaker of the night, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, confessed that he was filled with emotion because he wished that he could tell his younger self about all the people who came out to support transgender and LGBTQ+ children. He explained that this event means a lot to young Malcolm, but it means even more to the children of today, who will grow up knowing that they are loved and supported. “There is nothing wrong with trans kids,” he said. “But there is a lot wrong with hateful adults.”
Finally, Rep. Herrin wrapped up the event by thanking all of the speakers, the event organizers and everyone who showed up in support of transgender youth. Rep. Herrin led the crowd in one last “all kids belong” chant before concluding.
By a few minutes past 6:30 PM, ralliers could be seen walking home, rainbow flags and pink and blue signs standing out against the grey clouds as a mark of the change they fought for that evening.
Ali Kochik is a third-year English Writing major with minors in Journalism and Women’s and Gender Studies. AK908461@wcupa.edu
Shannon Montgomery is a fourth-year English major with minors in Creative Writing and Women’s & Gender Studies. SM916394@wcupa.edu