About SQS
SQS came to fruition because we were tired of being told by LGB nonprofits that they just didn’t have time or resources to focus on the trans* community. We were tired of presenting proposals and getting nowhere. So we sat in the Cozy Noodles on Sheffield and Clark and we thought about what Chicago was missing. What we were missing.
We’re proud to say that SQS has stayed strong because of us coming together and supporting each other.
Our meetings are always free and open to anyone—allies included. We meet in Efebina’s Cafe because it’s a LGBTQ owned business and safe community space. Meetings are always peer-led, facilitated by QPOC Van and Ivonne. We discuss our experiences, areas where we need support, resources, and trans* events in Chicago (and across the country). We meet in Pilsen because we were tired of going to Boystown for trans* events.
Also: You do not need to identify as queer, speak Spanish, or be a poc to attend any of our meetings. We appreciate and encourage the visible support of our allies. However, we do ask that our allies recognize that this is a space created by and for qpoc and that you take that into account accordingly. Thank you.
Our Values and Goals:
- Respect for the individual and the trans* community
- Safety and confidentiality
- Providing an accurate, affirming network of accessible resources
Our Mission Statement:
- We are a fierce and queer grassroots collective of trans* individuals from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. We are here to serve as a force of strength and empowerment to all. Meetings are in Pilsen, once a month, and offer support and resource referral for the trans* community and its allies.
- Our meetings are free, confidential, available in Spanish, and all are welcome.
Our Name:
- SQS was founded by and for people of color. Our name is an affirmation—no questions asked, no answers needed.
- Soy Quien Soy means I am who I am in Spanish.
Who Runs SQS:
- Van is a 24 yr old Chilean trans* man from the suburbs of Chicago. He’s the resident cartoonist of xQsi magazine, an online Latin@ LGBT publication. He identifies as queer, femme, and fabulous.
- Ivonne is a Latin@ cis-ally from Chicago. She has years of experience in the LGBT/immigration community. Ivonne helps many of our members access the resources we refer them to. She is a tireless advocate and valuable ally.
Todo en Espanol:
Nuestras juntas siempre son gratis, y tod@s estan bievenidos incluyendo a aliad@s.
Nos juntamos en el Café Efebina debido a que es propriedad de personas sexo-genero divers@s, y tambien es un lugar que consideramos seguro.
Las juntas son dirigidas por tod@s y facilitadas por Van e Ivonne.
Tenemos conversaciones acerca de nuestras experiencias, aspectos en nuetras vidas en donde necesitamos apoyo, recursos, y eventos para la comunidad Trans* en Chicago.
VALORES Y METAS
- Respeto para la persona y para la comunidad transgenero.
- Seguridad y confidencialidad.
- Proporcionar informacion precisa acerca de recursos accesibles a nosotr@s
Por Que en Pilsen?
- Nuestras Reuniones son en Pilsen para poder proveer recursos a la comunidad Trans* afuera del area de Boystown.
Nuestr@ nombre:
- SQS fue fundada por individuales Trans* de color. Nuestro nombre es una afirmacion de quien somos sin hacer preguntas, y sin necesidad de respuestas.
Acerca de nosotr@s
- Van es un hombre Trans* Chileno, y vive el los suburbios de Chicago. El es el dibujante (en residencia) de la revista “XQSI”, la cual es una publication en el internet para la comunidad Sexo-Genero Divers@ Latin@.
- Ivonne es un@ aliad@ Latin@ de Chicago. Ella tiene anos de experiencia trabajando con comunidades LGBTQ (o Sexo-Genero Divers@) y comunidades immigrantes. Ivonne ayuda a much@s de nuestr@s miembr@s a tener acceso a recursos que necesiten.
