Asher McMaher (they/them/theirs) is the Executive Director of Trans Up Front IL, with over 10 years of advocacy experience supporting transgender and gender-expansive youth, teens, and young adults. They are a member of the deaf and hard of hearing bar association. A passionate advocate with a background in legal research, Asher has been instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that protect and empower transgender individuals. They have led multiple campaigns, including organizing the TDoV protest in Chicago and spearheading a coalition of over 40 organizations supporting the TGNC+ community. Asher is also a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops, sharing their expertise on transgender issues, legal protections, and community empowerment.

Dr. Corey Lascano (she/they) is a music educator, GSA advisor, adjunct professor, ethnomusicologist, and an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and queer liberation. When not teaching, Corey is one of the co-chairs for the LGBTQIA+ Committee for the Chicago Teachers Union, where she works on district-wide initiatives that actively work to support, protect, and uplift Chicago Public Schools’ LGBTQIA+ students and staff.

Tanya is Chair of the Parents & Caregivers Advisory Board for TUF and works to support both TGNC youth and the families and caregivers who love and raise them. A life-long LGBTQ+ ally, when her child transitioned in elementary school, Tanya’s allyship transformed into advocacy. Finding few centralized resources at the time, she began to inform herself on TGNC legislation, healthcare access, and education reform to support her child and others like them. She led the successful effort to update her local school district’s equity policy to include gender identity. She also serves on the board of her workplace’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group. She is a frequent speaker at rallies, protests, and school board meetings, and advocates passionately for TGNC equity and visibility.

Charlee Friedman (they/he) is the co-founder and Director of Operations for Trans Up Front IL. With over a decade of experience in communications, marketing, and branding, Charlee brings valuable insight and strategic skill to their advocacy work. They’ve been organizing protests since high school, most recently leading actions such as the Lurie Children's Hospital and Trans Day of Visibility demonstrations and have supported LGBTQ+ youth as a research assistant with Project Q2. A self-described stage manager, jack-of-all-trades, and support-human, Charlee also manages all of Trans Up Front IL’s social media, contributes as a journalist, and is more than moderately good at graphic design. When not organizing or parenting, you’ll likely find them with a cup of tea in hand.

Karen advocates passionately for trans youth, championing access to affirming medical care, safe spaces for learning, living, and playing, while countering harmful disinformation and anti-LGBTQ+ policies. As a Board member of Trans Up Front Illinois, she proudly stands up for transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families by amplifying their voices and providing resources, training, and support to enable them to live authentically.  Karen also contributes her expertise to the Human Rights Campaign steering committee and its political action and community engagement subcommittee. Additionally, she co-facilitates a national parents' virtual support group and serves as a parent advisory board member for an LGBTQ+ youth research study.

Evryn Sevcech (they/them) is an ASL interpreter, mental health advocate, theatre enthusiast, spouse, and a proud resident of Chicago. 

Evryn began their interpreting career virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then have worked in Deaf education, mental health, as part of the ASL accessibility team at Lollapalooza, and with Tellin' Tales Theatre, a theatre company that shatters barriers between disabled and non-disabled communities. 

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As a trans person with invisible disabilities, accessibility is a deeply personal commitment for Evryn. They are honored to serve in this role for Trans Up Front