This weekend, Transgender Day of Visibility is a time when transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people around the world you acknowledge their presence and share their experiences. Trans people and supporters across Southern California will do this.
Essentially, the annual time falls on March 31, but several Transgender Day of Visibility activities will take place on Saturday, March 30 because this year also marks Easter Sunday.
Transgender people are those who have a female personality that conflicts with the intercourse to which they were born. It is also often seen within the LGBTQ+ area as an umbrella phrase for various names, such as genderfluid, gender nonbinary, agender and genderqueer.
Los Angeles native Jacqueline Hughes plans to enjoy this trip by wearing her beauty to look “real fierce” and listening to the late transgender singer and producer Sophia.
Hughes, a 27- year- ancient trans girl and a musician, believes Transgender Day of Visibility is critical because the LGBTQ+ community is facing” this looming attempt at erasure through fear mongering and violent legislature”.
Hughes said that incorporating trans people into arts, culture, politics, and protests is crucial to promoting that sense of isolation. ” It’s being able to believe you, too, can achieve and not be hindered by the worry of not being accepted. It’s to shed light on our problems to those who may not know”.
Aydian Dowling, 36, a transgender man and inc- leader of a volunteer, wishes there was more visibility for transgender, nonbinary and gender nonbinary folks year around.
” I like to constantly draw attention to trans people.” But I think it’s a day that provides a sense of empowerment for our community”, Dowling said. ” There are a lot of people who do n’t feel safe, or are in environments where they ca n’t be visible, so I think ( Transgender Day of Visibility ) provides an outlet for those individuals to realize that there is a life in which you can be a visible, out- and- proud trans, nonbinary person and share your story and feel supported”.
Dowling’s nonprofit, Point of Pride, offers gender- affirming care, such as chest binders, hormone replacement therapy, gender- affirming surgeries and laser hair removal, for members of the transgender community.
In 2009, Dowling declared herself trans, marking the first year Transgender Day of Visibility was observed. He claimed that at the time, the main concern for many was to blend in with the wider group of cisgender ( people who identify with the sex they were born with ) people rather than acknowledge or identify as transgender. This often is described as “going stealth”.
” That never felt like who I was”, he said. ” I was trans, and I was proud of that, and I did n’t want to hide that from anybody. I shared my story on YouTube, and I was able to use it to inspire others to feel good about themselves.
Dowling hopes allies will take the day to learn about transgender issues and listen to local residents.
” So often the stories of trans people are told by non- trans people”, he said. ” Trans Visibility Day ( sic ) is a day when we can really allow those people to share their stories and to remind our allies that they should hear a little bit about trans people’s experiences,” they say.
Toni Collard, 28, a native of Anaheim and a trans therapist, frequently helping younger people who are struggling with their gender identity or how to express it.
” Trans clients are in such a delicate state because they’re usually newly coming out, do n’t have the adequate support, or are scared that they wo n’t get the support that they need”, Collard, 28, said. It’s therefore crucial to give their care precedence because they are really just looking for a place to simply say,” This is who I am.” Do you see me?'”
Collard intends to work a booth at a Santa Ana event on March 30 and travel to Long Beach that night to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility this year.
Collard said they are grateful that trans people can be themselves, feel proud of who they are, and connect with trans people and allies.
” As a minority, it’s important for other people to know that we’re just as human as everybody else”, Collard said. ” We all have our differences. We all have unique characteristics that make us a little bit different. We’re all human, after all, and we just want to be celebrated and seen as such, just like everyone else.
Inland Empire
Riverside Pride is hosting a rally and march at City Hall on Saturday, March 30 at 1 p. m. City Hall is located at 3900 Main St. The march is a half mile and will end at the Civil Rights Institute, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 103.
Following this, there will be a celebration of trans joy at the Transgender Health and Wellness Center, Suite 102, starting at 2 p. m. The celebration will include music, speakers, food and entertainment.
Orange County
The LGBTQ Center of Orange County hopes to shine a light on trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming residents with their event,” Illuminate Identity” on Saturday, March 30 in downtown Santa Ana from 11 a. m. to 2 p. m.
Center representatives said they want to celebrate more than just a “gloomy narrative that has been pushed from media representation” and instead, celebrate “our local, radiant community” at the Frida Cinema, near the intersection of Center and Fourth streets.
Los Angeles County
An activist event and protest,” Trans Day of Vengence” will be held at the Hollywood and Highland Metro station on Sunday, March 31, starting at 3 p. m. A march will occur at 7 p. m. as well.
Long Beach, coastal cities
On Saturday, March 30, the Long Beach LGBTQ Center is celebrating with speakers, music, mariachi, drag performances, a resource fair and free vaccinations and HIV and STI testing at Bixby Park. The event will run from 4- 8 p. m., at 130 Cherry Ave.
North County LGBTQ Resource Center held an event in Oceanside that was moved to Saturday, April 6. The celebration will take place at Heritage Park, 220 Peyri Dr. from 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. and will feature live music, speakers, games, activities and a catered lunch.
Virtual
A third annual TikTok-a-thon to raise money for the organization’s transgender services is being held at Point of Pride. Trans Tiktok influencers Jory and Mercury Stardust, who have a combined five million followers, will host a virtual livestream starting Friday, March 29 and ending on Trans Day of Visibility.
Guest appearances, games and entertainment will be featured to raise funds. This year, the organization hopes to raise$ 4 million for trans health, which would double last year’s goal. Everyone is welcome to watch and participate in the live stream.
