“Just last year California passed this awesome law called AB1266 (The California Success and Opportunity Act) allowing transgender students equal access to restrooms and sports teams at their schools,” said Holly Hellerstreet of Canvass for a Cause.
Canvass for a Cause was part of a coalition that put together a Jan. 11 rally at University and Sixth entitled Rally To Defend Trans* Rights.
“We’re here rallying today in response to the most recent deadline where we found that those in the Privacy for All Students coalition still may qualify a ballot referendum in November,” added Hellerstreet.
A diverse group of organizations participated in the rally, including Canvass for a Cause, Black and Pink, the San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality (SAME), DOD FedGlobe and the San Diego Unified Councils of PTAs.
“The main goals of this rally are to bring awareness specifically for AB1266 – that helps transgender students right here in California — that’s under attack,” added Alfie Padilla, another organizer with Canvass for a Cause. “And also, just to bring awareness to the issues that transgender people face, like why AB1266 is even necessary – such as harassment and high dropout rates.
“The other point we want to make is that we’re in the struggle,” Padilla added. “There is opposition that is very, very active, but we’re going to be as active – or even more active.”
Canvass for a Cause brought the perspectives of young adult activists; Kelly Barnes brought the perspective of the San Diego Unified Councils of PTAs. The San Diego Unified Councils of PTAs represents more than 80 schools and 10,000 members within the San Diego Unified School District.
“PTA supported AB1266,” said Barnes. “Our board is ready to stand-up and be counted at this pro-trans* rally.”
She added, “PTA is here to support safe schools for all genders.”
Barnes was there with her 7-year-old son Simon. He added to his mom’s statement by saying, “I’m here today because I want to support all the kids in every single school so they’re safe.”
Coming from a perspective of both military and federal employee families, Nicole Shounder, the vice president of DOD FedGlobe, added, “It’s important that we support as allies on this issue. In all likelihood – sometime, somewhere – there’s going to be a child of a servicemember or a federal employee that is transgender.”
Shounder then noted that she is a transgender woman who grew up closeted; is a current federal employee; and whose father served for 20 years in the Air Force when she was growing up.
It was the humanity of trans youth that wasn’t lost on the participants of the rally.
“I’m really passionate about this issue,” said Daniella, a 25-year-old Canvass for a Cause activist at the rally. “I wish this was in effect when I was a student.”
It was a sentiment expressed by many at the rally. Older and younger trans* people expressed their support of current trans* K-12 students – they wanted those students supported in a way that they weren’t supported when they themselves were students.
The next steps in this struggle will no doubt include not just rallying in LGBT embracing neighborhoods, but going to less sympathetic neighborhoods – and even going to the front steps of the opposition.
Whenever it goes, wherever it happens, I will be there. Not just to keep you all informed of what trans* activists and our allies are doing, but to be a part of the rallying – the trans* community is my community too. It’s personal.
