A GENDERBANDS GALA
Genderbands is excited to announce our very first gala celebration! Join us at the Purple Soirée as we commemorate our fifth birthday on March 28, 2020 at the Doubletree Airport Hotel in Salt Lake City. The Purple Soirée will be a fun filled evening with cocktails, awards, and performances recognizing the work of Genderbands, our supporters, and other Transgender advocates.
PURPLE SOIREE POSTPONED
Dear Friends,
Due to recommendations from the state we will be postponing the Genderbands Gala (Purple Soiree) to an undetermined date in the future. While we are saddened to make this announcement, it is our priority to keep the community safe.
What we know:
The state has limited gatherings to 100 persons.
Our event was expected to host over 100 attendees, families, and sponsors.
Currently, this limit has been imposed until the end of the month.
What to expect:
The event will go on, but we have not determined a new date.
We will keep everyone updated as more information becomes available.
Attendees should expect to receive an email with greater detail in the next 48 hours.
We are asking everyone to follow state and federal guidelines to stay safe. Continue washing hands often. Practice social distancing by staying away from crowded places. Follow quarantine guidelines and testing procedures in the event of illness.
An event of this nature is not an easy feat to accomplish. Just ask any of our amazing volunteers! As such, we have invested our time and love into bringing our community this wonderful opportunity. On behalf of these efforts please consider donating, volunteering in our Orem office, or encouraging friends and family to purchase gala tickets when they go back on sale.
PURCHASE A TICKET
PREMIUM TICKET PRICE | $100
YOUR TICKET PURCHASE INCLUDES: EXTENDED COCKTAIL RECEPTION, TWO DRINK TICKETS, DINNER, PREMIUM EVENT SEATING, AFTERPARTY, & SURPRISE THANK YOU ITEM
STANDARD TICKET PRICE | $50
YOUR TICKET PURCHASE INCLUDES: PRE-COCKTAIL RECEPTION, DINNER, STANDARD EVENT SEATING, & AFTERPARTY
IF THE PRICE OF A TICKET IS A BURDEN
CONTACT US AT GENDERBANDS@GMAIL.COM FOR OTHER OPTIONS
SCHEDULE
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
PREMIUM CHECK-IN & COCKTAILS
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
GENERAL CHECK-IN & COCKTAILS
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
PROGRAM & DINNER
9:30 PM - 12 AM
AFTER PARTY
PERFORMERS
RYAN CASSATA
Ryan Cassata is an award winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, writer, LGBTQ activist & motivational speaker based in Los Angeles who has been featured in GRAMMY.com, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The New York Times.
Ryan has performed live over 600 times, including being the first openly trans performer at the Vans Warped Tour. Ryan has been praised by The Advocate Magazine- calling him a “Transgender singing sensation” and Billboard Magazine- calling him a “true force in the music industry.” Ryan Cassata is the recipient of a 2019 ASCAP Foundation Award for his songwriting and activism.
Ryan Cassata is the first recipient of the Harvey Milk Memorial Award, and has made appearances on several news networks, notably, CNN and TV shows including The Larry King Live Show, and The Tyra Banks Show to raise awareness for the transgender community.
Ryan was the focus of the award winning documentary film “Songs for Alexis” and will make his feature-film lead acting debut in Two Eyes later this year.
SHEA FREEDOM
In song or as a speaker, you can find Freedom advocating for foster youth, human rights and environmental issues.
Born in Los Angeles Freedom was raised in California’s foster care system where he was subject to 28 different placements. Like 68% of foster youth, Freedom emancipated into homelessness. No doubt the early instability would prepare him for the fast-paced life on the road. He has found his home on stages across the nation. Freedom has traveled solo all over the United States via thumb and motorcycle, collecting stories from the back of shrimp boats in the Gulf of Mexico to the festivals upon the shores of Hawaii. Freedom brought the love on tour in 2016 opening for world-renowned artist Trevor Hall in Arizona & California.
As a member of the LGBTQ community Freedom was awarded the 2016 Rising Star Award by Black Trans Men Inc and has shared the stage with renowned LGBTQ artist Goddess & She who were featured on the Showtime hit series "The L Word." In 2015 Freedom was invited by sisters Chloe & Leah of Rising Appalachia to tour in AZ, CA and CO. You can find Freedom out sharing songs and workshops at festivals alongside artist such as, Nahko & Medicine For The People, Earth Guardians, Dustin Thomas, Mike Love and many more influential artist.
MARINA MARQUEZA
Marina Marqueza is a nonbinary singer, songwriter, producer, and visual artist based in Salt Lake City Utah. They use they/them/theirs or she/her/hers pronouns interchangeably. Passionate about art as activism and an outlet for healing, Marina makes genre-fluid music from the bottom of their gender-fluid heart to affirm others who are marginalized in any way. Her debut album Orbit Pluto, released on New Years Day 2019 is available on all platforms and you can follow them on social media to keep up with new updates.
SPEAKERS
IAN GILES
Ian Giles is a genderqueer transman who is the Founder, President, and Executive Director of Genderbands. Ian champions the transgender community, while also navigating his own life as an out parent, geek, writer, and entrepreneur.
When not working festivals and conferences, Ian often gives educational workshops and speaks about a range of transgender topics including trans health, transitioning as a parent of a young child, safe binding and prosthetic care, top surgery and recovery, and HRT. Ian is best known for his presentation about packing for trans-masculine people.
Ian will be giving remarks about the state of Genderbands, and our growth from a fundraising project to international service organizations in just five years' time.
AIDAN CASTRO
Aidan Castro is a poet from Dinuba, California, and a previous winner of a Genderbands grant.
He is currently a first-year student in California State University, Fresno’s MFA creative writing program with an emphasis in poetry. Aidan likes to take long walks in cemeteries and enjoys watching horror movies. He writes about his experiences being a transgender man, his childhood, and growing up in the Dinuba countryside.
His poem “Hospital” won the 2018 Larry Levis poetry prize at Fresno State. He is a member of the Academy of American Poets. His poems have been published in Symmetry; Flies, Poets, and Cockroaches; the San Joaquin Review; and on poets.org
AWARDEES
JULIAN GIAN
Recipient of Genderbands’ Trans Pioneer Award
In Julian’s own words...
“Growing up I didn’t see individuals who looked like me in the media. I felt other. I felt different. I didn’t think it was possible to be where I am today. I didn’t think I was someone people would clap for. As a child, I loved makeup, hair, and fashion. I would get in front of the mirror and dream of being famous. But it was just that, a dream.
As I grew older, I would have my insecurities proven right by the people around me. This “dream” of mine was ridiculous. I was encouraged to straight and narrow onto college. Even though it’s not what I wanted. I had to take a lot of breaks from school for my health. During those breaks, I started my Instagram. I talked about my journey—my health, fashion, and advocacy.
My story continued to grow. Telling it went from not just helping me, but everyone else too. As a trans-masculine disabled person, I’ve beaten many odds to get here. I want the people who need to, to see this. Everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and represented. Whenever I get discouraged, I just remember that I did all of this from my bedroom. And if nothing else, I think that’s pretty incredible.”
TYLER DOMGAARD
Recipient of the Genderbands Volunteer of the Year Award
Tyler Domgaard has been involved in many parts of the ecosystem of resources that support young LGBTQ+ Utahns. When not working at the John William's Encircle House, he spends his time volunteering for Genderbands. He enjoys watching tv with his partner, Danny, and smothering his cat, Arthur, with unwanted love and kisses.
