The "Dignity Dash" is more than race — it's a movement.
"I think a reminder that this 5k really brings is that we are still here," said Troy Taylor, Development Manager at Brave Space Alliance, a South Side-based organization that supports LGBTQ+ individuals.
The organization is hosting its first ever 5k to raise money to fund BSA’s programs for Black and Brown queer and trans individuals, including housing assistance and wellness services.
"What sparked this 5k was due to current CDC budget cuts in the administration, we are planning on losing our funding regarding our HIV preventative and treatment care," Troy said.
But instead of seeing this as defeat, Troy said BSA decided to "turn a situation of disparity into celebration."
"As a trans athlete, one of my inspirations for making this dash was to be able to uplift the trans community in an athletic sense and to be able to put on a sporting event that is open to all types of people, genders, abilities, to just come and race for a good cause."
That's how the "Dignity Dash" was born. According to BSA, the event is among the first trans-focused 5K races in the United States dedicated to celebrating and honoring the lives and legacies of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. It will take place Sunday, August 17 at the AIDS Garden Chicago.
Taylor said the race will have a walk, run and roll component, and there will also be a post-race celebration with drag performers, community VIP speakers and a queer vendor fair.
And he said it's not just for queer folks.
"The Dignity Dash is an opportunity for not only the queer community but allies, anyone who supports the mission and work that we do in order to have LGBTQ Chicagoans take their brave next steps," Taylor said.
BSA is aiming to raise $100,000 with the Dignity Dash. Participants can run individually or in teams in honor of a transgender or gender non-conforming person.
Taylor said he hopes the race inspires and uplifts queer individuals and encourages them to live their lives in fullness and authenticity.
"We are still fighting and visible here in the community, here in Chicago, despite all the all the opposition that we experience here in our nation," he said. "If a community of people come together towards a cause that is bigger than themselves, they can impart change."
For more information and to register for the race, you can visit the event's website.