Jake Wittich with Windy City Times interviewed Jay Diaz, PHIMC’s Alliance Coordinator, about their leadership role in the National Trans Visibility March. Here is a brief excerpt from the article published on April 22, 2026:

For Jay Diaz, the march’s education and training strategy director and a Chicago-based public health worker, the event is also about ensuring young people know they are not alone.

“It’s imperative to show… they do have a community,” Diaz said. “I wish I saw a national trans visibility march when I was growing up. It would have helped me a lot in my journey.”

Diaz, who works with LGBTQ+ youth across Illinois through the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, said access to resources and affirming spaces can vary widely—especially outside major cities like Chicago.

“This is about showing up for those who might not have that support where they are,” Diaz said.

Chicago’s role in shaping this year’s march points to what comes next.

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Learn more here about how the Alliance collaborates with and supports LGBTQ+ youth.