Remembering Mama Gloria

Trans activist "Mama Gloria" Allen died this week at the age of 76. To honor her memory, we're resharing our conversation with her from December.

In the early 1960s, Gloria Allen, aka Mama Gloria, was ridiculed by teachers and fellow students at Englewood High School for being a “sissy.” Allen said no one knew back then what being transgender meant. But she always knew she was a girl, and with the support of her mother, grandmother, and some neighbors, Allen was able to embrace who she really was. Living that authentic life is what helped her when she experienced traumatic sexual violence. “Mama Gloria,” streaming now on PBS, is a documentary of Allen’s life in Chicago, including attending “Sissy Balls” in the 1960s and starting a charm school for young people. Allen talked with host Jacoby Cochran about the continued fight for transgender rights.

Mama Gloria was a fixture at The Center on Halsted. Check out their website to find out more and get involved.

This conversation was first published December 16, 2021.

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