March 21, 2018

Trans Day of Visibility

Share the goods.

Celebrating Trans Accomplishments and Victories

Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is celebrated annually around the world on March 31 and is dedicated to the accomplishments and victories of trans and gender non-conforming people, all while raising awareness of the work that is still needed to save trans lives. This year, The Grand Rapids Pride Center and Grand Rapids Trans Foundation felt that one day is not enough, so they decided to extend the celebration from March 23^rd to March 31^st with a variety of events around Grand Rapids.
An estimated 41% of all trans-identified individuals attempt suicide, compared to less than 2% of the rest of the population. Transgender people face struggles in various forms, from anxiety and dysphoria, to violence and bullying. 8THIRTYFOUR recognizes the problems trans-identified individuals face every day, and we commend The Grand Rapids Pride Center and Grand Rapids Trans Foundation for dedicating a whole week to the trans community. We’re with you and will be participating all week. A list of events is listed below so you can come participate with us.

Events

Friday, March 23^rd – 5pm to 8pm: Trans Week of Visibility Kick-Off Fundraiser

Apartment Lounge – 33 Sheldon Blvd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The Apartment Lounge’s Friday fundraiser event will benefit Grand Rapids Pride Center and the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation. Come out and show your personal Pride, commitment to end discrimination, and solidarity with the Trans Community. 50/50 Raffle and more. *21+ Only

Saturday, March 24^th – 3pm to 4pm: 2^nd Annual Children & Family Reading Hour at Books & Mortar

Books & Mortar – 955 Cherry Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Bring your children down to hear the stories celebrating trans and gender non-conforming youth.

Sunday, March 25^th – 7:30pm to 8:30pm: 2^nd Annual Blue Bridge Lights Up In The Colors Of The Trans Pride Flag

Blue Bridge, Downtown Grand Rapids
Join the GRPC on the blue bridge to kick off a week of visibility for the transgender community, leading up to the global Transgender Day of Visibility on the 31st. They will be lighting up the bridge in the colors of the Trans Flag and saying a few words.

Friday, March 30^th – 3pm and 6pm showings: Documentary “Real Boy: A Son’s Transition, A Mom’s Transformation”

Celebration Cinema North – 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
This is a free event and seating will be on a first come first serve basis. Seating cannot be reserved or saved. Spectrum Heath, in collaboration with Healthy Pride, LGBTQ Employee Resource Group presents the documentary, an intimate story of a family in transition. As 19-year-old Bennett Wallace navigates sobriety, adolescence, and the evolution of his gender identity, his mother makes her own transformation from resistance to acceptance of her trans son. Along the way, both mother and son find support in their communities, reminding us that families are not only given, but chosen.
Each screening is followed by a reception in the Wave Room with opportunity to talk to the starts Bennett Wallace and his mentor Joe Stevens, plus talking stations where audience members can learn more about the trans experience.

Saturday, March 31^st – 2pm to 3pm Reception, 3pm to 6pm Open Mic: Trans Day of Visibility: Trans Art Showcase and Stories of Truth, Power and Positivity!

University Club – 111 Lyon St. NW, Suite 1025, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Amidst the fear and hatred in the world, the transgender community is thriving and that is something worth celebrating. Join us for a night of art for and by members of the trans community, celebration, and entertainment. Hear inspiring stories from our trans siblings, and learn about the positive work happening in the community. Special Guest, Rachel Crandall-Crocker, Executive Director of Transgender Michigan and founder of TDOV! *Family Inclusive, Adult language may be used by some of the speakers.

Join Us

Whether you’re part of the trans community or an ally, we welcome you to join us all week in recognizing the struggle that is ever present in the trans community, and to celebrate all the accomplishments that have been made by and for trans individuals.

Recent Musings

People standing around talking to each other upstairs.

Building What We Needed for Women-Owned Businesses

The Current State of PR

Something on Your Mind?

A little rain didn’t slow @bodespeaks down.

Kim was in Washington, D.C., this past week for #AUSA2026 - three days where Army leaders, industry partners, and the defense community come together for innovation, insight, and connection.

We can’t wait to hear some of her takeaways. Stay tuned for more soon.

@ausaorg #DefenseIndustry #Leadership #AUSA

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A little rain didn’t slow @bodespeaks down.

Kim was in Washington, D.C., this past week for #AUSA2026 - three days where Army leaders, industry partners, and the defense community come together for innovation, insight, and connection.

We can’t wait to hear some of her takeaways. Stay tuned for more soon.

@ausaorg #DefenseIndustry #Leadership #AUSA

Who made all these rules anyway?

Don’t wear color. Don’t share your ideas. Don’t put yourself out there. Don’t talk about your family.

We’re told to follow them, but @bodespeaks says question every single one. Then uncover your big hairy audacious goal, throw out the rulebook, and build a personal brand that actually works for you.

Thank you to Aggie and Cristy for having Kim on the @badass_women_in_business Podcast and, well... for being total badasses.

Listen to the full episode in bio.

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We had some fun in the office this week and asked some of the 8THIRTYFOUR team what “square up” means.

Surprisingly, the Gen Z of the group got it, but one of our Gen X’s did not (not saying any names…)

How do you “square up”?

#trending #fyp #squareup #agencylife

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We had some fun in the office this week and asked some of the 8THIRTYFOUR team what “square up” means.

Surprisingly, the Gen Z of the group got it, but one of our Gen X’s did not (not saying any names…)

How do you “square up”?

#trending #fyp #squareup #agencylife

The 834 Learning Hub is where we throw fun shindigs, where cool people come to work, where Big Deal Energy gathers, and where we push you to get uncomfortable.

It’s not your typical event or coworking space - and we like it that way. The lighting, colors, wallpaper, layout, and yes, the dogs, are all very intentional.

If you need a spot to host your offsite team training, leadership quarterly, photo shoot (dogs can be included), or you just need a space to network or cowork - reach out.

We got the goods:
- A sweet sound system
- State-of-the-art digital whiteboard
- A really big T.V. Like it’s big.
- Your own private entrance
- Free parking
- A dog (or two) if you ask nicely

Drop us a line at hello@8thirtyfour.com or click the link in bio to rent the Hub today.

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The 834 Learning Hub is where we throw fun shindigs, where cool people come to work, where Big Deal Energy gathers, and where we push you to get uncomfortable.

It’s not your typical event or coworking space - and we like it that way. The lighting, colors, wallpaper, layout, and yes, the dogs, are all very intentional.

If you need a spot to host your offsite team training, leadership quarterly, photo shoot (dogs can be included), or you just need a space to network or cowork - reach out.

We got the goods:
- A sweet sound system
- State-of-the-art digital whiteboard
- A really big T.V. Like it’s big.
- Your own private entrance
- Free parking
- A dog (or two) if you ask nicely

Drop us a line at hello@8thirtyfour.com or click the link in bio to rent the Hub today.

We love Dr. Karen May’s mission.

What if we taught our daughters AND our sons about women’s health, hormones, and pregnancy? Not as a whispered “talk” or a one-time awkward conversation. Just normal dinner-table stuff.

The girls deserve to know what’s coming (perimenopause shouldn’t be a surprise party nobody wanted). And the boys? They’ll be partners, dads, coworkers, and bosses to women going through all of it.

Thank you, Dr. May, for sharing your best practices to keep the women’s health conversation going at our Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause event.

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We love Dr. Karen May’s mission.

What if we taught our daughters AND our sons about women’s health, hormones, and pregnancy? Not as a whispered “talk” or a one-time awkward conversation. Just normal dinner-table stuff.

The girls deserve to know what’s coming (perimenopause shouldn’t be a surprise party nobody wanted). And the boys? They’ll be partners, dads, coworkers, and bosses to women going through all of it.

Thank you, Dr. May, for sharing your best practices to keep the women’s health conversation going at our Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause event.

Showing up to an interview with an iced coffee? Not the move… unless it’s for @bodespeaks

#icedcoffee #agency #PR #trending #grandrapids

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