Trans Day of Visibility 2026 | Interview with Bakpak Durden
Tuesday, March 31, 6:30-7:30 PM | Downtown Library
For this year's Trans Day of Visibility, join us for an interview with Bakpak Durden. Bakpak is a Detroit-based artist whose work fuses narrative and visual elements of the Baroque and Afro-Surrealist movements to create oil paintings and large-scale murals that depict subjects in transitional states with an emphasis on connecting to the surrounding communities.
2026 AADL TDOV Zine
Trans/non-binary people, as well as their friends, family, and allies, have created works of art and writing to celebrate trans people and their accomplishments, or to communicate the importance of visibility and representation.
In 2026, AADL hosted another call for submissions for the TDOV zine. It was added to AADL's permanent collection in the catalog as a digital download and print copies were released at all AADL locations.
Download a PDF of the 2026 TDOV zine from AADL's catalog
You can also request a physical copy of the 2026 zine for pick-up at any of our AADL locations, or request a copy be mailed to you free of charge. Click here to request a physical copy of the zine.
A HISTORY OF THE AADL TDOV ZINE PROJECT
In March of 2020, AADL held an event at the Downtown Library, inviting trans/non-binary people, as well as their friends, family, and allies, to create small works of art and writing that were combined with online submissions accepted earlier in the year to create an original zine.
The pieces were a celebration of trans people and their accomplishments, and also about the importance of visibility and representation.
Then the pandemic happened. One year later, AADL launched the originally-planned zine—which is available in AADL's catalog as a digital download.
Download a PDF of the 2020 TDOV zine from AADL's catalog
In 2023, AADL hosted a second call for submissions and held an event at the Downtown Library where people could contribute to a new zine. It was released on March 31, 2023 and added to AADL's catalog as well.
Download a PDF of the 2023 TDOV zine from AADL's catalog
In 2024, AADL hosted another call for submissions and held an event at the Downtown Library where people could contribute to a new zine. It was added to AADL's catalog and print copies were released at all AADL locations.
Download a PDF of the 2024 TDOV zine from AADL's catalog
In 2025, AADL hosted another call for submissions for the TDOV zine. It was added to AADL's catalog and print copies were released at all AADL locations.
Download a PDF of the 2025 TDOV zine from AADL's catalog
PAST TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY EVENTS
In 2025, therapist, advocate, and pioneer Rachel Crandall-Crocker and her spouse, Susan Crocker, appeared in conversation at AADL. Rachel started the Transgender Day of Visibility as an international holiday to contrast with Transgender Day of Remembrance, and both she and Susan are long-time organizers of the trans community, under the organization Transgender Michigan. Watch the interview here.
In 2024, two-spirit trans and queer Anishinaabe and Korean-American multi-disciplinary artist Jamie John visited AADL to discuss their works as they relate to his journey of self-exploration and celebration of rich multi-cultural heritage. Watch the interview here.
In 2023, AADL interviewed game dev Lily Valeen about her hit RPG, "BossGame: The Final Boss is my Heart!" and the experience of being trans in Ann Arbor. Watch the interview here.
In 2022, AADL's Jenny Carlson and Reena Pang interviewed LaVelle Ridley, who discussed her anthology project, "Paradise on the Margins," as well as her research, published work, and community activism around Ann Arbor. Click to watch the video!
To celebrate Trans Day of Visibility in 2021, AADL recorded an interview with Jenny Carlson and Reena Pang who spoke with local LGBTQ+ activist Michelle Hughes. Also featured are art by Jenny and music by Reena. Click to watch the video!