March 31st is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Today, we celebrate trans joy, life, and expression that will always exist in Kansas, while also reckoning with the increased politicization, violence, and discrimination that we’ve witnessed come alongside with increased visibility by society.
To mark the day, we’re highlighting one Kansas advocate’s fight for trans liberation through art. While political attacks target Kansans by erecting more bureaucratic red tape or legal obstacles, Ryder transcends these barriers through art to connect us all:
Overall, I create the art that I needed to see when I was younger. I create the art to more eloquently pull together all my thoughts and feelings around the state of the world, but more importantly to express all my hopes and dreams for Queer and Trans people.
We are more beautiful than any piece of art can capture. While I am not originally from Kansas, I have found home here. I have found my place among the stars and sunflower fields. I see myself in the rainbows following the tornados. I will not give that up and in all that I can do, I hope to create art that makes others feel this too.
To learn more about Ryder and check out more of their art, visit their website mxofbizarre.com.
In 100 Years
Digital Illustration, March 2024
Created for the American College Personnel Association's Coalition for Sexuality and Gender Identities 2024 Cabaret Now!
“This piece was created in response to a lot of feelings over the changes and overcompliance happening across the country in the education system at the time. The Cabaret Now! show was meant to be in protest of the complacency and a call to action to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.”
Let's Party Barbie!
Digital Illustration, April 2023 (Updated for 2026)
“While created initially in jest around the release of the Barbie movie later in the summer, this piece took a turn as initial calls were made of the genocidal actions towards trans individuals in the U.S. and from the aftermath of Roe being overturned. This is one of my favorite pieces I've ever created and gives a lot of weight to the continued attacks we have seen towards trans individuals in Kansas and beyond.”
I Promise
Digital Illustration, November 2022
“This piece was created for Trans Day of Remembrance. This was my first TDOR back in Kansas after moving back to Lawrence (after a short time spent in Minnesota). As someone who is not originally from Kansas, I have found my home here. I don't want to lose it and I don't want to move away again. I can only have hope that we come out on the other end of things with our hearts intact and the love that we deserve.”
Through the Night
Digital Illustration, May 2024
“This piece was started following TDOV of that year and was originally presented as part of a LGBTQ+ show gearing up for Pride Month. I often love the motif of using hands in my pieces. In a world that constantly works to isolate us, to have a connection to others through our queerness and our transness, is such a beautiful thing to feel and witness.”
Deadname
Digital Illustration, August 2024
Part of the It Came From the Closet show by Sam Ryder
Debuted in October 2024
“This piece was part of a larger show that focused on monstrosity. Queer and Trans people have been so linked to monsters and villains, so I let that side show. I reclaim that monstrous side of me, if not to show instead, the monster that is the cruelty and violence towards Queer and Trans people. I often am misgendered and deadnamed, sometimes by strangers, mostly by people who I thought knew me. I will not let them have the final say, even in the end. My transness is my divinity and I am still alive.”
Define My Existence
Created in collaboration with Trans Lawrence Coalition, Trans Joy KC, and Trans Kansans for the ACLU's Freedom to Be Campaign
“This piece is near and dear to my heart. While the digital illustration was created initially by me, the design was added to a large tarp that was later added on by many trans and queer Kansans for the ACLU Freedom to Be campaign. The finished piece was later displayed on The National Mall lawn in 2025.”
To learn more about Ryder and check out more of their art, visit their website mxofbizarre.com.
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