Hey everyone, we’re back with another Living Louligan- And this time it’s Personal! Hannah has been a good friend of mine for years and they wanted to share why Prideraiser is important to them. The environment we foster in the Supporter Section is important and our charitable actions can and do make a big difference in people’s lives. We cannot solve all the ills of the world, but we can try to make things a little better for our friends. It is my hope that things like CDJ and Prideraiser show that we care and will make someone out there just a little more comfortable to come get SiLLy with us. Thanks to Hannah for sharing her story. It can be an ugly world- stand up for good people. -Brad
My name is Hannah Guetterman. I’ve been a Louligan since 2016 and spent time on the leadership team of The Thieves and as a member of Fleur de Noise (before it was called that) during that time. I am also proudly and openly transgender.
If you are reading this, you are probably already aware of the 2023 Louligan Prideraiser campaign supporting Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG). If you aren’t, Prideraiser is an annual event where supporters groups raise money for local LGBTQ+ organizations. This is done by fans pledging to donate a set amount per goal scored by the team they support. For example, if I pledge $5 and City scores 10 goals in the month of June, my donation to MTUG would be $50.
This is the second year in a row that the Louligan Prideraiser campaign is supporting MTUG and it cannot be overstated how much worse things have gotten for trans people in that year. Below is an Anti-Trans Legislative Risk Map maintained by Erin Reed at erininthemorning.com that compares her map from December of 2022 with the most recent map from May 20, 2023. This calendar year alone, at least 530 anti-trans bills have been introduced in state legislatures. Florida has essentially made it impossible for trans people to exist in the state and our own state, Missouri, tried to prevent any trans people from being able to access any medical care related to their transition.
MTUG is a safe haven for trans and other gender non-conforming people in the St. Louis area. Their services stretch from community bonding events to assistance with legal name changes to food pantry and vaccination services. In a world that feels like it is doing everything it can to destroy us, MTUG wants us to not only survive but thrive.
So please, if you are able, contribute to the Prideraiser and help this wonderful organization. Beyond that, however, I ask for your support as a loud, active ally. It is easy to call yourself an ally by retweeting a tweet or contributing to a fundraiser, but the rise in transphobia (and all other bigotries) can only continue if cis allies fail to loudly and strongly oppose it. Challenge transphobes you see and hear and let them know that bigots are not welcome in your presence. Together we can make the North End, Citypark, and St. Louis as a whole a place where everyone is welcome, as long as they aren’t a bigot.
To join in our Prideraiser for the 2023 season, click stl.prideraiser.org and make a pledge.
