Remembering Elise: Iggy Ladden talks with Anna DeShawn about why Elise is so beloved and missed in the Chicago queer community – Thursday, May 5, 2022

Today is for Elise. Her visitation is today and her funeral services are tomorrow so I thought it would be fitting to center her for this episode. I got the opportunity to chat with one of her good friends Iggy who is also the Executive Director of Chicago Therapy Collective where Elise did so much of her work. We got to talk about what Elise meant to the CTC community, Black trans folks especially on the northside of Chicago and also the police investigation.

00:00 – Welcome & Intro

01:25 – The Qube Ad, Discover the best BIPOC & QTPOC podcasts

02:09 – Intro Music by Aina Bre’Yon

02:50 – Remembering Elise: Iggy Ladden shares why Elise is so special and what she’s meant to the Chicago Therapy Collective family

09:26 – Anna’s Got A Word

Elise Malary’s Services 

Visitation

Thursday May 5, 4-8pm | Drake & Sons Funeral Home | 5303 N Western Ave – Chicago IL

Funeral

Friday May 6, 9am | St. Mary’s | 1012 Lake St – Evanston, IL

Reception

Friday May 6, following funeral service | Holiday Inn | 5300 Touhy Ave – Skokie, IL

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A post shared by Chicago Therapy Collective (@chitherapycollective)

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Transcript

Family. This is your favorite queer radio personality, Anna DeShawn with our queer news for today. Now, if you enjoy what you hear rate and review us inside your favorite podcasting app. Okay. It only takes you five seconds to hit the number five star and right. I love queer news. I wake up with queer news. I love Anna DeShawn and the queer news podcast. You see what I just did there now for the news? I know there are plenty of things to discuss Roe V. Wade, who in the world leaked that decision? Uh, Dave Chappelle again, maybe even the met gala. I mean, there are lots of things to talk about, but today today’s for Elise.

Her visitation is today and her funeral services are tomorrow. So I thought it would be fitting to send to her for this. I got the opportunity to chat with one of her good friends, Iggy, who was also the executive director of Chicago therapy, collective where elites did so much of her work. We got to talk about what at least meant to the CTC community, black trans folks, especially on the north side of Chicago and also the police investigator.I ask that you keep the Chicago queer community in your thoughts and prayers. As people prepare themselves to say goodbye. Now allow me to share this interview with.

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So family, we got a special guest and I’m really honored that he agreed to come on and talk about. I know that it least meant so much to you. And so that’s why I reached out. And that’s why I’m really grateful that you’re able to join us on the podcast.Okay. Yeah. Thank you for having me. Yeah, of course. Of course. And for those that don’t know, Iggy is the executive director of the Chicago therapy collective, where he at least did so much of her work. And let’s be clear, at least in a lot of work. All right. But she spent so much time at CTC. And so I wanted to have you on to talk about that and honor her work.And for you all to get to know a little bit more about her, cause there was only so much to share, you know, during the other time. So, uh, Iggy, I know this is a question that I’m sure is on folks’ minds as it was on mine. Uh, has there been an investigation? How is that going? Is it over. Do we know any more details.

So we unfortunately do not know any more details at this time. And what we do know is that the autopsy is concluded. That’s why we finally do have funeral services, um, that are happening tomorrow and Friday. Um, what we also know is that, uh, there was not confirmed that. Uh, homicide because that would have to be public information and we have not seen that.So we are actually still sitting with, with what unanswered questions from that evening, what happened? Wow. That’s a lot. Yeah. Um, okay. And it’s, uh, it’s unbelievable. Just how long it’s taking for autopsies to be completed right now. But there is something about having services and being able to say some type of goodbye to release and feel like there’s some type of some form or one form of some type of closure for her.And I really want to talk about at least because there’s so many people who may, who tune in, who may not know her.

So tell me, what did he leads me to CTC? Yeah. Um, so for those of you that do not know, um, at least was a founding member of CTC. Elise was a board member and she was really our, our go-to leader when it came to any advocacy issue facing trans community members that was rooted in economic injustice.So Elise champions, the idea that trans people, black trans people deserve to have economic justice, financial stability, access to healthcare that without these core sources of support and stability, trans people, especially black trans people were really at risk. Um, and so she fought hard for. Our trans communities, right.To have safe, affirming employment to have healthcare. And, you know, she was one of our activists and advocates on the front lines. There. She was all of that. And honestly, one of the sweetest people on the planet. At times can be one of the most soft-spoken, but then there’s the moment where she turns on and she becomes his fears, outspoken advocate.And you just kind of do a double-take like, wait, is that it links? Of course. Um, she had all of that.

Yeah, that is so well said. Um, you know, a lot of people who didn’t know at least would that like, oh my gosh, she’s so shy. Um, but as soon as. Elise got up on a mic or as soon as you just spent a little bit more time with her, you would see her, her profound, like ease even within herself, her confidence in her fear.About what she cared about and her love her love for her community, her love for her friends. Um, that was, that was a mistake bubble. And, um, really some, uh, said, I’m, I’m gonna miss. I already have been, I’ve been missing her. And that, that presence that she, as she holds in my life already. Yeah, absolutely.And. I know, I send you so much love Iggy. I know my listeners do as well, uh, and everything that you and CTC is going through at this moment. Can, is there anything else that you’d like to share about at least?

Um, I think along the lines of like how F how fierce Elise was and how big her heart was, you know, she had a vision, uh, she had a vision for.The north side, not just Andersonville, but the north side of Chicago to be a more trans inclusive black flourishing part of the city. That where wealth is not so hoarded and segregated and white communities, but she wanted to see black communities thriving on the north side. She wanted people to know that black trans people live on the north side and black trans people are not adequately supported here on the north side.Um, and I just feel my own kind of fierce now allegiance to making sure that. That message still gets across. And that, that fight is still happening, uh, in her honor and in her absence. And I have no doubt that you are doing just that and that everyone at CTC is and will continue to do just that. So, family, what we’re going to do with this episode is that we’re going to end with actually a word from you.Uh, you always know and has got a word. And so today to where it’s going to come from her. And so till tomorrow,

Okay,I’m going to keep it a hundred. I’m saying a lot of performative allyship and that’s you, but we need what the black trans community needs right now is the next step. And the next step is action. The next step is radical cultural change and it’s. I’m sorry, it’s white. Cis-gender people doing their parts on behalf of black people.If you enjoyed what you hear rate and review us inside your favorite podcasting app, this podcast is a production of radio. Your number one queer radio station to in queer music and reporting on queer news in high rotation.