A fresh awareness campaign, ‘In Transit: Guiding 2.4 million regular riders to regard trans people,’ will start at the Christopher Street-Sheridan Square station on Friday, March 29th in honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility. Bernie Wagenblast, the “Voice of the Subway,” who came out as trans in 2022, is the inspiration for the campaign, which recognizes this day in the train station.
The plan was created by AREA 23, an IPG Health organization and award-winning healthcare marketing agency, with skilled support from the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, an award-winning ethnic heritage initiative, and Callen-Lorde Community Health Centre, a world leader in LGBTQ+ health.
The assembly features advertisements in the Christopher Street place, which are significant to the area and raise awareness of Transgender Day of Visibility. Additionally, they encourage people to tune in to a radio mini-series called “InTransit,” which is hosted by Bernie Wagenblast and features rotating guests. The trans community will be the subject of each episode’s size, which is roughly the length of a subway ride. Additionally, the strategy will lead to the construction of a brand-new imaginary transit line where each stop represents a true-life landmark in New York City. A upcoming micro that will take visitors through a sampling of NYC’s trans history will allow them to “ride” the collection.
Bernie Wagenblast, “Voice of the Subway,” said, “I know how much visibility counts and I hope, by sharing my story, people will be reminded that trans people are a part of their everyday existence each time they hear me making an announcement.”
This is an opportunity to share Bernie’s story as a way to help raise visibility for transgender people, celebrate their contributions and milestones while raising awareness for the discrimination that many face around the world, according to David Traini, group creative director, AREA 23. Our objectives were twofold: to promote understanding and education for all commuters while also promoting and supporting the transgender community.
Ken Lustbader, co-director of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project said, “As we recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, it’s crucial to also understand that trans people have always existed, making their own history as they pursue healthy, safe, and joyful lives. ‘In Transit, the T Line and the T Line have the authority to introduce place-based trans history to a sizable number of New Yorkers right in their own city. These extant sites give visitors a visceral connection to an often unremembered past, from the Murray Hall residence from the 19th century to medical facilities where groundbreaking care was provided as early as the 1940s.
“We’re honored to be a part of this innovative and engaging campaign that raises the experiences of trans New Yorkers for International Transgender Day of Visibility,” said Callen-Lorde Community Health Center CEO Patrick McGovern. The resilience of the trans community has opened the door for LGBTQ+ rights all over the nation, and their stories merit to be echoed and celebrated. Callen-Lorde proudly serves as a safe haven for queer and trans people who require unbiased and knowledgeable healthcare in a time when LGBTQ+ healthcare is under attack, just as we have done for more than 55 years.
