Two Trans: Two Spirits Stopping Trans Genocide

Charli Christine Marker and Criage Lynette Althage

Captivated by those who represented extremes Chicago-based poet and filmmaker Charli Christine Marker admitted one of her first sheroes was a plus-size model from  the 2000 Guinness World Book of Records, Teighlor, who weighed in at 718 pounds, made her the world’s heaviest supermodel. Now, Marker is a film director who is using her own size to create trans joy. This joy is a wonder to behold as a friendship blossomed between Criage Althage and Charli Marker during an interview at WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM where they unpacked the heavy topic of transphobia. Althage, a reference librarian for professorial research at the Ronald Williams Library at Northeastern Illinois University has a more serious perspective that supports her identity as a trans woman living in Englewood, one of the most violent and underfunded neighborhoods in Chicago.  

While Althage is participating in outreach and marches with Stop Trans Genocide, Marker is making feature films that celebrate her individuality as a trans woman. Both acknowledge their privilege as white people who do not have to deal with the same racial bias and bigotry as their black sisters in the trans community , hence Althage’s advocacy for Brave Space Alliance.  According to a June 28, 2022 Pew Research Report, “Most Americans favor protecting trans people from discrimination, but fewer support policies related to medical care for gender transitions; many are uneasy with the pace of change on trans issues… Roughly eight-in-ten U.S. adults say there is at least some discrimination against transgender people in our society.”  This discrimination is rampant in places like Northwestern hospital where Marker sought medical treatment. 

At the hospital, Marker was faced with bigotry and hatred when she expected compassionate care.  

“My pain was so bad that it led to extreme autistic meltdowns, which caused cops to restrain me, threaten to arrest me, and joke about me being anally raped in prison. This is how intersectional violence works, where transphobia doesn’t reach a fever pitch until it mixes with ableism and fatphobia in me, or race and immigration status in the other.” 

Marker was able to survive the episode, however, it left her with an indelible scar of distrust and fear of the police, whom she refers to as ACAB (as in All Cops Are Bas—-). 

According to Criage Lynette Althage, the intersectionality of race, socioeconomic status, and gender identity impacts her experiences with transphobia because “It sadly causes divisions between communities of privilege and those who are marginalized with trust being a barrier for trans communities of color. I think we are constantly working towards merging our collective interests with those of Black and brown communities…”

Yet, it is bullying that causes gender non-conforming youth to withdraw from school or even commit suicide. Notable cases such as those of Matthew Shepard and Fred Martinez, who were murdered for their gender identity, are the ultimate manifestation of a gender binary culture where there is literally no room (neither bathrooms or locker rooms, in Florida for example) for someone who presents differently. Martinez’s identity as a young Navajo who was beloved by their own community, but despised by those in mainstream culture was explored in the film Two Spirits by Lidya Nibley. Nibley aptly points out how integrated genders are sacred in cultures such as the Navajo. 

The radical division of gender into a binary of male or female leads to hatred of those who present outside of the status quo, which causes fear and bullying. Native Americans like the Navajo believe in embracing those who have integrated gender identities. The Navajo have at least four words for various gender identities in their language with a legacy focused on honoring everyone’s individual spirit and humanity. 

Meanwhile, Charli Christine Marker, and Criage Lynette Althage are working on creating their own legacies of standing up for the underdog. Althage does this through activism, and Marker does it through writing poetry and expressing herself in filmmaking. Marker’s next feature film is titled Racine Grace about filmmaker Khloe Gwen from Los Angeles. Racine Grace will premiere on June 10, 2024, at Sweet Void Cinema at 3036 W Chicago Ave 1W, Chicago IL 60622. The free event features free soft drinks, and is mask-mandatory. Find out more about her work by going to her all my links page at https://allmylinks.com/cookierill. Althage can be found working behind the counter at the Ronald Williams Library on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University on days when Northeastern Illinois University is in session.

Here is a recent poem by Charli Christine Marker, used with permission of the author:

On Feedist Dysmorphia

I know a girl whose father wrote for The Simpsons. He wrote the best episode.

The Best Episode of the Best Show.

But when I got around to watching it, and observed Homer supposedly comically getting fatter for Disability, it felt like an insult to the beauty of all those I love.

It made me want to die.

Four days ago, the girl whose father wrote the episode posted a selfie, four years and over 200 pounds in the making. She was over 60 pounds more than Homer was when he was immobile in the episode, but she was standing upright and happy with a gallon of whole milk in her hand.It was the most beautiful image I’d ever seen in my life. But when I showed my aunt the picture, she was insulted by how it treated the beauty and brilliance and productivity of the niece she loved.

It made me want to die.

I am an autobiographical filmmaker, whose work aims to be somewhere between the Simpsons and that selfie. I’ve had friends tell me that they like my work more than The Simpsons even, but I am currently sitting in a 

Padded Cell

Because of how I wish I could be an artist like the Girl in the Picture.

Pacing endlessly and worrying every step about the calories they are burning.

Charli Christine Marker, 2024