On July 31 the annual Queer Radical Fair touched down in Ping Tom Memorial Park just outside of Chicago’s Chinatown for a joyful celebration of Trans and queer joy, the arts, music, and performance. The Fair is part of The Chicago Public Library’s Radical Fit Program which is aimed at empowering teens to design and create personal expressions of style while investigating gender equity and identity.
The fair was co-hosted by Sky Cubacub of Rebirth Garments and Vieve of Vulpinic and featured a fashion show displaying teen designs and work strikingly presented under an overpass and in front of a branch of The Chicago River. The Fair also featured live music, library and life resources, crafts, and food and refreshments.
Among the many designers who showed their work were Sayifallache Carillo, Nik013_io, Charlie Stepney, Irawo, Maybelle Syrup, Sun-Kissed Blossom, Caladrins, and Jelly Hails.
Sponsors and contributors for the event included Gerber/Hart Archives and Library, Genderfucked Productions, The Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks, The Chicago Park District, and The Chicago Public Library Teen Services.
Photos by Vern Hester