TS Madison Makes History as Atlanta Declares October 22 “TS Madison Day”

Trans icon, actress, and media personality TS Madison made history in Atlanta last night during her Halloween Birthday Bash at Cirque Daiquiri Bar & Grill, where she was officially honored with her own day in the city. The City of Atlanta has declared October 22 as “TS Madison Day,” marking Madison as the first Black transgender woman in the city’s 188-year history to receive such recognition.

The historic honor was presented by Dewayne Queen, Director of the Division of LGBTQ Affairs in the Mayor’s Office, on behalf of the city. While presenting the proclamation, Queen told Madison, “We love you so much, and I want to say on behalf of my office, the Office of LGBTQ Affairs for the Mayor, that I apologize that it took this long.”

The heartfelt moment brought cheers from the crowd as Madison, who just turned 48, took the stage to accept the honor with gratitude.

“Everything works out in God’s perfect time,” Madison told attendees during her emotional speech. “And this is why God allowed me to live all of these years to get to this day—to see everybody in this room that I have inspired, that I have touched, that I have moved something in their life, and I am very honored. Thank you to the city of Atlanta. Thank you to all of you who have been following me and laughing at my foolishness for all these years. I love you.”

She continued, “If you live long enough, every dream that you have can and will happen for you if you believe. There’s a motto that I live by—I’ve been living by it forever: I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but I know. And as long as you know, it shall happen if you believe!”

In an exclusive interview with Gaye Magazine, Madison reflected on what this honor means for her and the broader trans community.

“In this time, in this era—during the Trump administration—for a Black trans woman to have that…it’s letting the people and the political parties out there know that we are here, we’re queer, and we’re not going any motherf**ing where!” she declared.

When asked how it felt to receive the honor on her birthday, Madison shared with Gaye emotionally,
“I’m 48. I want to tell you that I’m this [age] because I’ve outlived the rate that Black trans women are supposed to live. And I’m proud of that. I can’t wait to be 50—and 60.”

This latest recognition follows Madison’s previous honor in Washington, D.C., where May 23 was officially declared “TS Madison Day” during DC Black Pride’s opening reception. Gaye Magazine exclusively livestreamed the historic moment as Madison was celebrated by city officials and community leaders.

However, her receiving her own day in Atlanta carries particularly deep significance — as Madison has called the city home for most of her career after leaving her hometown of Miami, Florida. In Atlanta, Madison built her media empire and carved out a legacy for herself and other Black trans women in entertainment. She filmed her hit reality series “Turnt Out with TS Madison” in Atlanta, where she made history as the first Black trans woman to star in and executive produce her own reality show.

Additionally, Madison launched the TS Madison Starter House, repurposing her first Atlanta home into a resource space to support the local LGBTQ+ community and formerly incarcerated Black transgender women.

From making television history to opening doors for others, TS Madison’s recognition by the City of Atlanta cements her legacy as one of the most influential and trailblazing figures in modern Black trans history.

@gayemag TS Madison Makes History As Atlanta Declares October 22 “TS Madison Day” #Exclusive @Ts Madison Read our exclusive article now at GayeMagazine.com! #tsmadisonday #trans #blacktranswoman #maddiemob ♬ original sound – Gaye Magazine