T Party II brings together more than 100 people in Milan For a conversation about identity, courage, fear and community
During Milan Pride Week, more than 100 people gathered at the Sozzani Foundation for the second edition of T Party, the independent format dedicated to trans voices and dialogue on contemporary society.
T Party II at the Sozzani Foundation during Milan Pride Week
On the evening of June 25, during Milan Pride Week, more than 100 people gathered at the Sozzani Foundation for the second edition of T Party. Conceived, curated and moderated by Kay Kamakhya, T Party is an independent cycle of conversations that creates a space dedicated to trans voices within a broader dialogue on culture, identity and contemporary society. After the first edition in November 2025, the second appointment expanded the itinerary, bringing together Elias “Spy” Carlini, Trysha, Elia Botticchio and Joel Luego: a physics student and soccer player, a performance artist, a literature student and founder of a queer cultural space and a musician.
Identity, fear and courage: the issues addressed during T Party II
Through personal experiences and different perspectives, the conversation addressed desire, fear, love and community not as abstract themes, but as lived, concrete and often uncomfortable experiences. Over the course of the evening, the dialogue returned an image of fear far from its most immediate definition. The speakers told how fear is manifested in everyday life: in the fear of not being recognized for what one is, of being judged, of facing important decisions, of exposing oneself publicly or simply of occupying a space with authenticity. The reflections showed that courage does not coincide with the absence of fear, but with the ability to overcome it. The search for one's identity, the path of gender affirmation and the choice to live one's life openly have been described as processes made of doubts, vulnerability and small steps that, over time, can be transformed into a profound experience of freedom.
The role of the community in the experiences of trans people
A second central theme was that of the community, understood not as a group of people united by the same experiences, but as a network of relationships built through listening, empathy and mutual support. The participants shared how, in the most difficult moments, it was often a sister, a friend, a teammate or a person they met along their journey that made it possible to move forward. Although coming from different cities, ages and walks of life, the speakers recognized a common experience in the desire to be seen, respected and welcomed. The conversation thus proposed a broader reflection on the meaning of belonging, suggesting that a community is not born from the homogeneity of stories, but from the desire to build spaces in which no one has to face their journey alone.
T Party: a cultural project dedicated to trans voices
T Party II represents the second chapter of a project created on the occasion of the Trans Day of Remembrance in November 2025. If the first edition was dedicated to the experiences of trans women in the fashion sector, this second event has broadened the view, bringing different generations and paths into dialogue to reflect on what it means to live authentically and on what makes it possible to do so. The conversation was moderated in English by Kay Kamakhya, with the linguistic support in Italian by Giulia Stelluto.
The guests of the panel T Party II 2026
Elias “Spy” Carlini
23-year-old trans male soccer player, based in Milan. Student of Theoretical Physics and Philosophy of Physics at the State University and passionate athlete. Spy plays for the Bə Team, the first 5-a-side soccer team in Italy composed entirely of trans and non-binary players, a project of the Open Milano Calcio Association.
Trysha
Trans performance artist, drag performer and fashion designer. Through the Trashy Couture project, she transforms waste materials into wearable narratives, merging upcycling, performance and fashion. His work explores identity, vulnerability and transformation, imagining more fluid and expansive futures.
Elia Botticchio
Student, trans man, 24 years old, born and raised in Milan. He is currently completing a master's degree in Modern Literature at the State University. He is a Bə Team athlete and co-founder of Spazio Orlando, a cultural initiative that examines contemporary culture through the lens of the lived queer experience.
Joel Luego
Milan-based trans artist with Sicilian and Spanish roots. His music blends contemporary pop with Latin influences, exploring identity, emotion and gender freedom. She has been present in the editorial playlists of Spotify and VEVO Pride and has performed at the Milano Latin Festival and at Casa Sanremo. In 2026 he also performed at the Milano Pride.
Next edition of T Party: exhibition dedicated to trans artists in 2026
T Party will return in autumn/winter 2026 with a third edition that will expand beyond the format of conversation, creating an exhibition dedicated to trans artists, photographers and creatives whose work explores identity, gender and contemporary culture.