On Feb. 23, 2025, a large crowd gathered at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in Rochester, NY to join the Greater Rochester Rally for Our Rights. The protest championed transgender rights and issues, specifically speaking out against the increase in anti-trans legislation and attitudes in the last year and the violence against Sam Nordquist — a transgender man who was tortured and killed nearby in Hopewell, NY.
“I don’t believe that trans folks right now feel like we’re safe, even in community spaces,” said Brittan Hardgers, one of the speakers for the event. Hardgers delivered a passionate speech on transgender issues, highlighting the fear transgender individuals face and the duty of the rest of the LGBTQ+ community to step up and protect their more vulnerable and marginalized members.
Hardgers emphasized the importance of having a group that makes you feel secure. “For me, no matter what rights we do or do not have, it takes a community. And I know that if all my rights were stripped away, if I had community, I would know that I was safe.” He mentioned various places within Rochester where this feeling of fellowship and safety could be found: Wave Women Inc. (an organization intended to empower transgender persons), Rochester LGBTQ+ Together (a queer grassroots organization) and Next Generation Men of Transition (a male transgender group created by Hardgers himself).
Braden Reese — the director of Rochester LGBTQ+ Together — expressed similar sentiments. When asked what he would like to say to RIT students, he stated, “It’s important for them to know when they leave campus that … there’s spaces for them in Rochester and Monroe County. We have over a dozen LGBTQ+ organizations that are thriving.”
Some RIT students have already found their way to queer communities in Rochester. Several attended the Rochester Rally for Our Rights, including Caitlyn West, a fourth year chemical engineering student.
She explained, “I feel like I need to do something, you know? And this seemed like a good first step.” West described how the rally felt like a good way to meet others in the Rochester LGBTQ+ community. Despite the cold weather, West couldn’t help but be happy to be there. “It’s awesome to see the turnout and not feel so alone.”
Though the reasons for the protest were less than ideal, the turnout and attitude of the attendees reinforced a feeling of fellowship for many. Marissa Carmina, a newcomer to the Rochester area and a nurse at Trillium Health’s Transgender Center of Excellence, simply wanted to observe who was attending the rally, but wound up impressed by the number of people who showed up.
“I’m proud to see that there are so many people in this community that I’m new to that are really here to support trans folks, queer folks, people of color and other marginalized individuals,” they said.
Carmina went on to convey how happy they felt seeing such solidarity in the Rochester community. For them, attending the protest provided comfort at a time when transgender existences are increasingly under fire.
“It’s really important to come together as a community, find some healing through advocacy and yeah — just be present and take up space as a trans person.”
