The Ladies of the Midwest

THE LADIES OF THE MIDWEST IS A DOCUMENTARY ON TRANS ELDERS ACROSS THE MIDWEST FINDING COMMUNITY IN DETROIT.

What started as a birthday party over a decade ago, has grown into a long weekend social event, three times a year, for trans people from across the Midwest. Hosted in Detroit, Michigan, TG Detroit Invasion emphasizes the importance of social belonging and community in the coming out process. Most attendees identify as part-time trans, because they feel unsafe being visibly out in their hometowns. These weekends, called “Invasions", provide the time and space for folks to experiment with their gender expression and connect with others on similar journeys.

Now, during a second Trump administration, the ability to be out and proud as trans individuals has gotten riskier. With an unprecedented number of laws targeting the trans community, civil rights are under attack. The TG Detroit Invasions allow for safety in numbers for the ladies to enjoy regular social activities as their authentic selves. A key part of this dynamic is the pairing up of “newbies” with “veterans” - where women who have previously attended a Detroit Invasion help newer members come out of their shell and find their footing in a woman’s world.