Skeleton in a summer dress
Skeleton in a Summer Dress is a hand-drawn comic about the transgender experience. The story follows Mike, a 23-year-old man who is seen by the outside world as a girl. His life is portrayed as a burial: he lies in a grave wearing a summer dress that isn't his, mourned by friends and family for who he never was. In the cemetery, a grave robber visits monthly, returning people their true selves — but Mike has been waiting seven years for his turn.
The story explores what it means to be stuck in a never-ending system, while finding your own family, happiness and the courage to fight for your dreams. Alongside grief and jealousy, it carries a deep message of hope and connection.
The comic is a collaboration between artist Michael Visser and writer Kris van der Voorn, both transgender. Michael has been waiting seven years for gender care; Kris waited four. Through this work, they hope to reduce stigma around trans identities and offer hope to others in similar situations.
This exhibition displays the original hand-drawn artwork in full detail, brought to you by the Municipality of Almere and InnerCircle Foundation.
Description of the programme
"A comic about waiting, identity and hope. Follow Mike's journey as a transgender person buried in a life that isn't his. Doors open at 17:00, closing at 21:00."
About our event partners
InnerCircle Foundation is dedicated to making art and culture accessible to everyone, with a focus on vulnerable artists and communities who rarely find space on mainstream stages. Through their talent development programme, they guide visual artists, writers and performers toward platforms they could not reach on their own. For Skeleton in a Summer Dress, InnerCircle partnered with the Municipality of Almere's Team Inclusion & Diversity, who funded the creation of the comic. On behalf of the city of Almere, this collaboration brings transgender art to WorldPride — art that is underrepresented on conventional stages and needs to be created and shown in safe, supportive conditions.