Elijah Oberman is the violinist of Brooklyn rock band The Shondes, whose most recent album, The Garden, brought the band to a new level of success including opening for Against Me! and being hailed by Rolling Stone as an album that would kick your ass for giving up on hope and said Oberman “scrapes hornets and angels from his fiddle”. As a core and founding member of The Shondes, he has honed his craft, influenced by punk, Jewish, and Classical music, played songs that are hopeful and life-affirming, and always insisted on using mainstream success to highlight the issues of queer and trans people. He has also been particularly vocal as Jew against the occupation of Palestine.
Elijah Maddie Oberman Adams Marcus Ordane is a 23 year old transman. He is a Graduate Student at the University of Montana working towards a Doctorate. He transitioned when he was 18 years old and has been out to the community since. “I would like to say that I am here because of the love from my family and friends. I would also like to point out that I am here today, loving who I really am due to one person; LC. Thank you for all that you have done and all that we have been through together.”
Marcus Ben Power Alexander Alwin Xavier Ordane Reyna Ortiz is a Proud Trans Latina who has been openly Trans for over 20yrs. “Living my life as a Trans woman growing up in the inner city you come to realize the lack of resources and understand the needs in your community. My passion is to inform all Trans woman about the resources that are available. Connecting with “The Girls” on a deeper personal level understanding the struggles that Trans women go through and finding ways to make our lives and Transition easier. Trans people are here, have been here and will always be here.”
Reyna Jae Bates Ortiz Alexis Paige is a bisexual mixed race Korean trans woman. She has assisted in the planning of Portland’s first official Trans Pride March, planning the Meaningful Care Conference (a national LGBTQ medical conference), and in the promotion of and education about Oregon state’s Medicaid program ending exclusions of transition related transgender healthcare. Currently she works at the Cascade AIDS Project assisting people in applying for healthcare and is a member of the Trans inclusion committee at the Cascade AIDS Project. She also volunteers as a HIV tester and counselor at monthly trans community nights at Pivot in Portland and as an operator for the Trans Lifeline.
Oliver Alexis P. Bendorf Paige