Brave Space Alliance crushed its fundraising goal at its Partners in Dignity Soirée, a celebratory fundraising event that uplifted the power of community in the face of growing attacks on civil rights.
The Partners in Dignity Soirée, held May 15 at Venue West, 221 N. Paulina Ave., raised more than $25,000 for the Black- and trans-led LGBTQ+ center, which provides health, housing, food and identity support on the South Side.
Brave Space Alliance leaders also announced an upcoming podcast from CEO Channyn Lynne Parker and the organization’s next big fundraising effort: the 5K Dignity Dash happening this summer.
In an interview with Windy City Times, Parker said she was “feeling humbled” by the overwhelming support for Brave Space Alliance seen at the soirée, and that the money raised would help “plug in the gaps” of funding that the organization could be losing due to changes in the government.
“I hope people leave tonight with a deeper understanding that none of us can make it out of this alone,” Parker said. “And when we partner in dignity, we can do amazing things.”
The evening was as much a celebration of Brave Space Alliance’s impact as it was an honoring of the other organizations and leaders Brave Space Alliance works alongside in advancing the LGBTQ+ community.
“Partners in Dignity” awards were given out to Ferrara Candy Company, a dedicated sponsor of Brave Space Alliance’s work; Life is Work, a trans-led social services agency on the West Side; and Renauda Riddle and Angela Barnes, the owners of Nobody’s Darling Bar who have been advocates for Brave Space Alliance and the larger transgender community.
“When I think about the work that we do, we do not exist in silos,” Parker said. “To believe that there is only one [organization doing the work] creates so much harm, and ultimately feeds our community in further disparities.”
The evening also included a fireside chat among Parker; Tracy Baim, a founding board member of Brave Space Alliance and owner and cofounder of Windy City Times; and LGBTQ+ advocate Mary Morten. The three discussed Brave Space Alliance’s work in the context of the transgender movement and the current attacks on civil rights.
Baim spoke about the importance of trans allyship from within the LGBTQ+ community and said she was inspired to get involved with Brave Space Alliance after seeing how anti-trans political movements infiltrated some LGBTQ+ communities in countries like England.
Solidarity among LGBTQ+ people is especially important now as President Donald Trump’s administration works to target transgender people with its political agenda, Baim said.
“It is a tough road, but we have each other, and can’t let them split us apart,” Baim said. “It’s absolutely their goal to split our community in multiple parts, and that can hurt us much more.”
Looking to its future, Brave Space Alliance plans to continue uplifting community partners through a new podcast, “Brave Conversations,” hosted by Parker.
Parker told Windy City Times the podcast will debut in June and feature discussions with other LGBTQ+ leaders that give a behind-the-scenes look at community service.
“When we think about organizations, we see that stage and that podium where there’s a leader giving speeches, but we don’t see all of the sweat that goes into this work,” Parker said. “All of us have a story behind the service that I want to capture and show to the world, because there’s more than Brave Space in this community.”
The Dignity Dash has been set for Aug. 17 at the AIDS Garden Chicago, 3003 N. Lakefront Trail. The event will raise money to support Brave Space Alliance’s work and feature a reactivation of the Belmont Rocks where the community can gather after the race. More details on the Dignity Dash are coming soon.
But until then, Brave Space Alliance will continue to not just fight back against the wave of anti-trans attacks, but “fight forward” to a stronger future, Parker said.
“That’s exactly what 2025 requires of us: to stay within our values, adapt without losing our struggle and rise not just in response to threats, but in preparing for a future we intend to create,” Parker said.