San Diego’s Trans Pride event was held on Friday July 13th at Balboa Park. Over 30 different organizations were on hand to provide information on health care, family advocacy, civil rights, social services, information resources, active and veteran military support, and community development.
Workshops were held on Name & Gender Change and Self-Defense. Entertainment included Music from Jayy and Jakob Glass, Comedy from Selene Whittington, and DJ/Dancefloor from Shane Ivan Nash. The event concluded with a visibility march from Balboa Park to the Hillcrest Flagpole. Marchers carried the blue and pink transflag, as well as the Mexican flag to represent our sister republic to the south.
Neutral Corner was present once again with a resource booth. The organization provided literature such as our yearly report, answered questions about our meetings and events, and informed people about our 30+ year work in transgender education and charity. Special thanks to those on hand to help, including Bren, Jaymie, Ray, Kaya, Veronica, Michelle, Zander, and Melanie.
California State Senator Toni Atkins made a surprise visit and graciously posed for selfies and photos with members of the transcommunity. Toni is a longstanding friend and supporter of the LGBTQ community, and more information about her work can be found at http://sd39.senate.ca.gov/news/newsletter. Max Disposti of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center was also on hand to promote the resource center’s upcoming Pride event on Saturday October 13. (See www.pridebythebeach.org for details)
The Trans-Pride community gathering serves many different purposes. Those just coming out or in transition can get important information to help them in their journey. Community leaders have a chance to network and catch up on news outside of cyberspace. Transyouth find a place to hang out with friends in a safe and cheerful environment. Families and allies are able to show their support. And it’s an opportunity for community members to celebrate being who they are among understanding peers: trans, genderfluid, nonbinary, intersex, genderqueer, bigender, or however one chooses to define oneself.
Special thanks go event sponsors, including the T Spot, San Diego Pride, The Center, ViiV Healthcare, Family Health Centers of San Diego, From Molly with Love skincare products, Trans Family Support Services, and the Transpride Organizing Committee.