Solidora

Big news, Oak Park! We’re throwing a Butterfly Dance Party to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV)—and you’re invited!

📅 When: Sunday, March 30, 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM
📍 Where: Scoville Park
🎭 Who’s Invited? Everyone! All ages & allies welcome. Costumes optional, joy required.

But that’s not all—we have another huge announcement. The Village of Oak Park is officially recognizing both Trans Day of Visibility (March 31) and Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20)! This is a powerful step toward acknowledging and uplifting the trans community, especially in a time when trans people and human rights are under relentless attack.

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Why TDOV and TDOR Matter Now More Than Ever

🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Day of Visibility (March 31) is a time to celebrate trans joy, resilience, and power. It’s about recognizing trans and nonbinary people not just for our struggles, but for our brilliance, creativity, and contributions to our communities.

🕯️ Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20) is a solemn day to honor trans lives lost to violence. As anti-trans policies and rhetoric escalate across the country, TDOR reminds us that our fight for safety and dignity is ongoing—and that every trans person deserves to live freely and fully.

Here in Oak Park, we are standing unapologetically in solidarity with trans people. We are not just acknowledging these days—we are committing to action, visibility, and real community support.

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Celebrate With Us at the Butterfly Dance Party!

🦋 The butterfly is a symbol of transformation, freedom, and beauty—just like the trans community. So what better way to celebrate TDOV than with a joyful, colorful dance party?

✨ Expect:
🎶 Music & Dancing – Move, groove, and celebrate in community!
🎭 Costumes Optional – Express yourself however you feel best!
💜 A Space for Joy & Resistance – Because trans joy is revolutionary.

Trans people have always existed. We will always exist. And we will always find ways to thrive, together.

📢 Come dance with us, celebrate visibility, and show that Oak Park is a place where trans people are not just welcome, but affirmed, protected, and loved.

📍 Mark your calendars & spread the word! See you at Scoville Park!

#TransDayOfVisibility #ButterflyDanceParty #OakPark #TransJoy #WeWontBeErased

We’re thrilled to announce that Aaron McManus from Solidora has been awarded a mini-grant from the Village of Oak Park to conduct a community study on LGBTQ+ affirmation spaces in Oak Park!

At a time when LGBTQ+ people—especially youth—are facing unprecedented attacks, support and affirmation matter more than ever. Research shows that just one affirming space can reduce suicide risk by 35% among LGBTQ+ youth.

While Oak Park has strong commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we need to go further—from simply “welcoming” LGBTQ+ individuals to actively affirming them in our schools, parks, businesses, and public spaces.

This study will uncover:
✅ Where LGBTQ+ youth and families feel most affirmed in Oak Park—and why.
✅ Gaps in community support that need to be addressed.
✅ Opportunities for schools, businesses, and organizations to improve affirmation.
✅ Practical, immediate steps to create a more supportive and inclusive community.

How You Can Get Involved

📝 Participate in the Study – If you’re an LGBTQ+ youth, parent, or community member, we want to hear from you! Share your experiences through our confidential community survey (coming soon).

👥 Join a Focus Group – Help spark new ideas on how Oak Park can be a leader in LGBTQ+ affirmation.

📣 Spread the Word – Encourage LGBTQ+ friends, family, and allies to take part in the study so we can amplify as many voices as possible.

🤝 Support the Project – Are you part of a school, library, business, or organization that wants to collaborate? Let’s work together to increase outreach and impact.

The findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report that will help shape policy, community leadership, and local initiatives to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Oak Park.

👉 Want to get involved? Sign up for updates and volunteer opportunities [here]!

Solidora Wins Mini-Grant to Study LGBTQ+ Affirmation in Oak Park!

We’re thrilled to announce that Solidora has been awarded a mini-grant from the CRC to conduct a community study on LGBTQ+ affirmation spaces in Oak Park!

At a time when LGBTQ+ people—especially youth—are facing unprecedented attacks, support and affirmation matter more than ever. Research shows that just one affirming space can reduce suicide risk by 35% among LGBTQ+ youth. While Oak Park has strong commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we need to go further—from simply “welcoming” LGBTQ+ individuals to actively affirming them in our schools, parks, businesses, and public spaces.

This study will uncover:
✅ Where LGBTQ+ youth and families feel most affirmed in Oak Park—and why.
✅ Gaps in community support that need to be addressed.
✅ Opportunities for schools, businesses, and organizations to improve affirmation.
✅ Practical, immediate steps to create a more supportive and inclusive community.

How You Can Get Involved

📝 Participate in the Study – If you’re an LGBTQ+ youth, parent, or community member, we want to hear from you! Share your experiences through our confidential community survey (coming soon).

👥 Join a Focus Group – Help spark new ideas on how Oak Park can be a leader in LGBTQ+ affirmation.

📣 Spread the Word – Encourage LGBTQ+ friends, family, and allies to take part in the study so we can amplify as many voices as possible.

🤝 Support the Project – Are you part of a school, library, business, or organization that wants to collaborate? Let’s work together to increase outreach and impact.

The findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report that will help shape policy, community leadership, and local initiatives to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Oak Park.

👉 Want to get involved? Sign up for updates and volunteer opportunities!

Together, we can turn research into action and build a stronger, more affirming Oak Park. 🌈💜